Michael Best, 43-year Voice of the Cairo Syrupmakers
Today’s interviewee is Michael Best, the play-by-play announcer for Cairo football since 1981. He’ll be calling Friday night’s game at Peach County for WGRA Radio 790 AM / 95.9 FM. Cairo is ranked No. 7 in Class 3A. Peach is ranked No. 2.
1. How did you get started as Cairo’s play-by-play man, and why do you enjoy it? “I have been the ‘Voice of the Syrupmakers’ for 43 years. I was working as a DJ at Cairo's local radio station in the early 1980s. The man who was doing the play-by-play got into a confrontation with Cairo's coach and was released from his duties after the first game of the season, and I was told to report to the stadium Friday night and do the play-by-play. I have not missed a game since that night and broadcast my 500th consecutive game last season. I love the opportunity to be around the football program. Every head coach through these 43 years has accepted me as a part of the staff, and I always feel welcome. I am also the team chaplain and have been the band halftime announcer through all of these years as well. I emcee the Cairo High School pep rallies and emcee softball, baseball and basketball games. Without a doubt, though, broadcasting the football games is what I enjoy most. I love it when people who listen to the broadcast tell me they felt like they were at the game. I have state championship rings from 1990 and 2008 as well, which is very special to me.”
2. What is your broadcasting style? “I could best be identified as one of those ‘homers’ who broadcasts everything as fairly as possible but leaves no doubt I'm a Syrupmaker. I refer to Cairo many times as ‘us’ and our opponent as ‘them.’ I try to call as many of the players’ names on the radio as possible so parents and grandparents and others can hear those names. I give the score and time to play a lot. For some that is never enough! I get on the officials occasionally, but I do it in a humorous way and try not to be too negative. I can get pretty excited on the air, but I always try to make it understandable even in the craziest moments. I would hope people would say they enjoy listening to the games and can feel through my voice and expressions how special it is to be a Syrupmaker on a Friday night.”
3. What are some of your best memories, teams or players? Any good stories to tell? “There have been a ton of great memories through the years. Broadcasting in the Georgia Dome several times and broadcasting the state title games in 1990 and 2008 are just a few. In 2007, Cairo played in the last state championship game held in local schools at Cairo High School, the only state title game ever played in Cairo. We came up short to Carver [of Columbus] in the final minute of the game. I have enjoyed every coach I have worked with through the years. I have seen a lot of great players through the years – Joey Hester, Duke Donaldson, Trey Gainous in the ’80s. The entire team in 1990 and 2007-08. Angelo Pease was the quarterback in 2007 and 2008 and was a lot of fun to call on the radio. Currently, Bryian Duncan, who is a sophomore and has already rushed for over 1,600 yards this season, may turn out to be the best I have ever seen play the game.
“I once met Kirby Smart at the CHS Fieldhouse, and before I could introduce myself, he called me by name and said he used to listen to me on the radio growing up in Bainbridge. Very cool moment!
“I will always try to call as many names on the radio as I can because of one special story. A backup running back's mother and father could not make it to the game in Albany one night because the father was dying of stage-four cancer. His widow told me later about her husband lying in bed that night with the radio on listening to my play-by-play of the game. She said his eyes were closed, and he was unresponsive. She knew his final hours were near. She turned the radio on by his bed and hoped he was listening. As the Syrupmakers got a big lead, we started subbing players, and his son went in the game, and I called his name on the radio. She said her husband smiled, and whispered, ‘That's my boy.’ A few hours later he passed. For me, that makes every bit of this job worth it.”
4. Big game Friday. What are your thoughts on this year’s Cairo team and the big game against Peach County? “We have a pretty young team. We are playing a lot of sophomores on defense that have grown up some each week. We have an experienced offensive and defensive line that has helped lead this team. Of course we have Bryian Duncan, one of the top rushers in the state and one of the top sophomore rushers in the nation. However, he's done all of that with less than half the carries on offense. We have about three other running backs that play as well and help share the load. Duncan also plays defense and returns punts. He is electric every time he touches the ball. For example, he had a 102-yard pick six the other night against Dougherty. We have a strong kicker as well in his first year as a kicker. He flips the field with his leg and is sure on extra points and has made a couple of long field goals.
“I think Peach County is a very good team. They are one of the top-ranked teams in 3A in the state, and Friday night will be a huge challenge. They score a lot of points on offense, which scares me a bit. I think Cairo and Peach County are a lot alike, so it should be exciting in a great atmosphere up at Peach County. Earlier, we faced Thomas County Central on the road and Cook on the road, which provided our guys a chance to play in some big environments on the road, so hopefully we will be ready.”
