‘The best seat in the house’ for 26 years

Published 11:09 am Friday, September 12, 2014

In the world of high school football, players come and go, coaches come and go, even stadiums come and go.

But in Renton, there has been one constant at every football game for the past 25 years: stadium announcer Greg Salcedo.

Salcedo, an IT analyst by day, is headed into his 26th season as the voice of Renton Memorial Stadium. The gig may not pay much but it gives Salcedo the opportunity to do what he loves: stay involved in youth sports.

“I believe in youth sports,” Salcedo said. “Some people play golf, I come here.”

Salcedo said he started in Renton in 1988. About 10 days before the start of that football season, he got a call from Renton’s then-athletic director asking if he’d take over in the booth.

“Their guy just decided he’d had enough,” Salcedo said.

He jumped at the chance. Plus, he said, it was finally an opportunity to put those broadcast journalism course he’d taken at the University of Washington to good use.

“It was nice, doing this, that my mother could see the tuition was good for something,” he said with a smile as he prepared for the season’s first home football game, Lake Washington at Hazen, Sept. 4.

Salcedo, 62, said he has always loved football and played in high school in Everett. He said he does not have time to be a coach, but calling the games allows him to stay involved in something he hopes makes a positive impact on the students.

He also hopes to give the kids their moment in the sun and takes great pains to learn how to pronounce all of their names, both for the students and for the parents sitting in the stands. After all, he said, for many players this might be the height of their football career and they deserve it.

“They should have their names said correctly,” he said. “They should be honored for what they do.”

Salcedo sees his role as important to the overall atmosphere and the game, but wants to make sure he does not take away from the kids or the game.

“I’m to be the host here,” he said. “We don’t do play-by-play here and we’re not homers.”

Salcedo makes all of the announcements at the stadium but also keeps his eye on the action on the field. After every play, Salcedo announces the ball carriers, the tacklers and gives a down and distance for those in the stadium, but said he views himself like the officials: they are at their best when the fans don’t even notice they are there.

“The competition is on the field,” he said.

And in his years, Salcedo has seen some good competition. Through all of the league changes and classification changes, Salcedo said he likes the current mix in the Seamount League.

“We see a lot of good teams,” he said.

Asked about the Renton teams he sees every week, Salcedo said Renton was known for speed, Lindbergh for its “toughness” and Hazen for “a little more sophistication” in its plays.

Though from his view in the press box he does have some advice for the coaches: “The tight end slant is open. It’s been open for 15 years.”

As for the competition, Salcedo also has a favorite.

“I always love it when Kennedy comes. They come with an attitude, but it’s a winning attitude,” he said. “Kennedy and Renton, these are the speedburners. And if you want hitting? Renton and Kennedy.”

Salcedo and his crew in the box, Mike Baccus, Dave Huff and Jim Boyd, also give ESPN-style nicknames to some of the kids.

So what was his favorite name to say over his time in the box? There was Sam Bash (“What a football name!”) and former Hazen quarterback Dover Perry  (prompting the rhyming “Dover Perry on the carry!”) and their all-time favorite Cam Callen of Lindbergh, whose name gave them ample opportunity for alliteration (“Callous Cam Callen with the ball!” “Cautious Cam Callen takes it in!”) and always seemed to come up big.

“He was kind of like ‘The Natural,’” Salcedo said. “If they needed 10 yards, he’d get 10 yards.”

He also said the Lindbergh squads of the past few years have been exciting to watch and announce.

Along with the teams, Salcedo has also lived through a major renovation at Renton Memorial Stadium, one that moved the press box off the roof and into it current safer location.

“You didn’t want to be there in a lightning storm,” he said of the old box.

Athletic Director Brian Kaelin cited a story from before the renovation as a testament to Salcedo and his team’s dedication. Kaelin said before a playoff game several years ago, the door to the old press box, which was accessible from stairs on the exterior of the stands, was jammed and Salcedo and his crew could not get in. Kaelin called for maintenance, but game time was fast approaching. Maintenance could not get the door unstick so simply removed it from the hinges, leaving the crew exposed to the elements.

“Greg and the guys got in just prior to kickoff and went about their business as usual,” Kaelin said. “This is just one example of how committed Greg is to his craft.”

Salcedo, who lives in Fairwood (“I have no skin in the game,” he jokes.), said he enjoys the opportunity to call the games and has no plans of giving up his seat in the box.

“The stairs have gotten harder to climb over the years,” he admits, but adds “But it’s the best seat in the house.”