Longtime IHSAA announcer Butch Kramer brings professionalism, passion and singing to booth

MONTICELLO, Ind. — Longtime public address announcer Butch Kramer's voice has been felt by the eardrums of athletes, fans and coaches for a generation.

Kramer is meticulous in his work. He is diligent in writing down every detail he can find about an athlete. Names are spelled phonetically. He checks statistics and says every name from the coaches to players before tipoff, kickoff or the first pitch and whistle.

He is renowned, and to the teams he announces, he's a welcome slice of familiarity. Perched upon his press box, Kramer will sing the national anthem before games.

"Butch is the best announcer I've ever had," said Twin Lakes coach Jake Burton who has over 900 wins during his own illustrious career. "He does a little bit of play by play but not too much but keeps a stat book and does a great job of keeping it up to date. And when we film the great he’s a tremendous fixture."

Kramer has announced baseball, football, girls and boys basketball, girls volleyball and wrestling at Twin Lakes, North Putnam and Logansport since 1992.

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The play-by-play Kramer provides over the loudspeaker does enough to inform crowds without being a hindrance — and it even helps plucky sports reporters still new to the area.

"I enjoy it," Kramer said. "I have a good time being around the kids over the years. The kids that learn to manage their time are generally good students and they are great to be around. They keep me young."

But maybe the greatest challenge Kramer faced in his career was at Wrigley Field when he made his walk down the dugout tunnel in 2016.

The crowd of 36,496 fans stood waiting for Kramer to give his rendition of the national anthem in the now famed 2016 season before the Chicago Cubs played the Cincinnati Reds.

"I was just afraid that I was going to step on something at the field and fall on my face," Kramer said recalling the emotions he felt. "But it was an incredible experience."

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Sports has brought the 68-year-old insurance salesman all the joy he needs. Kramer is a former football coach at Logansport who has played small but vital roles at each of his stops.

And whether fans, players and coaches realize it - his voice is universally recognized when a trip is made to Monticello.

"He’s what everyone aspires to be as an announcer," Twin Lakes coach Kent Adams said. "He’s always positive. He’s impartial and gives credit to the opponents when it’s due. That’s his distinct voice and he loves the kids.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Longtime IHSAA announcer Butch Kramer brings professionalism, passion and singing to booth