For 35 years, athletes have come and gone through Bakersfield College, but Carl Bryan, 65, has stayed as the announcer for the majority of BC sports.
Bryan likes to refer to himself as the “voice of the Renegades.”
After seeing all the sports he has announced, one could see why.
Bryan has announced 156 seasons of Renegade athletics.
The sports include: football, track and field, and basketball just to name a few.
His start came in 1981 when then track coach Bob Covey was about to retire and suggested that Bryan try his hand at some announcing.
Bryan doesn’t seem to want to stop anytime soon.
“I would do this until I’m 90 if my old age allows it,” Bryan said. “Thank goodness for the new handicap ramps in the baseball and softball fields.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Bryan announces more then just BC athletics.
“I cover all track and field,” Bryan said. “I graduated East High, so I announce their football and basketball games as well.”
Bryan can be seen in Sacramento this summer announcing the Track and Field World Masters.
“I’ll be getting room and food at the event, but I feel like I’m getting paid in the experience to do this,” Bryan said.
He commented about some of the other major events he has had the privilege of announcing.
His first year announcing softball, he got to announce the State Championship.
Bryan has also announced the last eight cross-country state championships in Fresno. He has announced four national championships in track and field.
With all that announcing, Bryan talked about his pay rate.
“I don’t fill out the papers that Stuebbe gives me, I just write my name and the rest just comes together,” Bryan said. “Hell, I would do this for free if my wife let me.”
After current athletic director Jan Stuebbe retires, Bryan will be on his fourth different athletic director.
Stuebbe talked about Bryan’s announcing at the BC sports events.
“We wouldn’t trade Carl for the world, he loves what he does and we are lucky to have him here,” Stuebbe said.
Bryan does much more than announcing.
He currently is a substitute teacher working for the Kern High School District.
“I subbed for an advanced algebra class at Centennial [high school], and those are some of the most well-behaved kids I have taught in high school.”