Sheffer honored for Service
Rich Sheffer, who has provided an air of professionalism with his deep voice as the longtime public address announcer at Lansingburgh and community athletic events, was recently honored by the district for serving close to four decades as ’Burgh’s “Man Behind the Mike.”
Sheffer was recognized, and presented with a plaque commemorating his community service, prior to the boys’ basketball team’s final home game on Feb. 12.
Sheffer, 61, began doing public address duties at Lansingburgh games from 1963-65. After missing four years, he returned in 1969 and has been a fixture at games continually since then and expects to continue to be one for years to come.
He has announced boys’ and girls’ home basketball games, home football games and, until recently, did those duties for Lansingburgh Independent baseball games.
Local newspapers The Troy Record and The Times Union each published stories about Sheffer’s work with athletics in their Feb. 13th editions.
In one of the stories, Sheffer recalled that he grew up listening to and admiring former New York Yankees’ play-by-play broadcaster Mel Allen and that team’s public address announcer Bob Sheppard.
His connection to athletics began in the early 1960s when he kept the official scorebook for senior basketball games at the Lansingburgh Boys Club. A Lansingburgh school official took note of Sheffer’s work and brought him to do the same duties, as well as public address announcing, for Lansingburgh High contests. In subsequent years he also took on running the official clock for freshman, JV and varsity basketball games.
“He’s more stable than anything I can think of here,” said Lansingburgh High principal Angelina Bergin. “He’s a symbol of stability and dedication and he’s certainly someone to be looked up to.”
His value was recognized one night several years ago when he arrived late for a game. Another individual filled in, but game operations did not go smoothly in Sheffer’s absence.
“When I finally arrived I got a standing ovation,” Sheffer told the Times Union. “One of the coaches said to me after the game, ‘I never saw a (public address announcer) get a standing ovation before.’ ”
But, that was indicative of the appreciation of Sheffer’s contributions.
“Not every school has someone announcing games, but Rich shows up rain or shine, snow or sleet,” said boys’ varsity basketball coach Guy DiBacco. “You can’t say enough about a man like that. He is the voice of Lansingburgh.”
For more information contact:
Lansingburgh Central School District
518.233.6850