By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
September 8, 2004

One Sioux City priest is an announcer for Sioux City Explorers baseball games.

Father Craig Collison has only been announcing at Explorers games since the end of July, but has been announcing at sporting events since high school.

"The general manager at the time gave me a call and asked if I would be interested," said Father Collison. "They asked if I could help them out, and I said that I would sure give it a try."

The Explorer's play at Lewis and Clark Stadium in Sioux City and are part of the Northern League. The team played its final home game on Sept. 1.

At the games, Father Collison introduced all of the players, who was up to bat, any changes in defensive alignment or batting order, substitutions and helped with introducing mid-inning promotions.

During the game, he sits in the press box with radio announcers, newspaper reporters and other people keeping track of the game. He watches the game through a large window and talks on a microphone.

"I have done public address announcing in a lot of sporting areas," said Father Collison. He explained that he can remember announcing as far back as high school. "Public address announcing at sporting events lends itself to a unique way of being involved in the event. It's fun to be involved with the crowd, and at the same time take the responsibility the P.A. announcer accepts in working with the crowd."

He did not really start announcing on a regular basis until he was assigned to Kuemper High School in Carroll in 1979. He commented that he announced for sporting events such as basketball, wrestling, track and baseball.

"I continue to announce the different events because it allows me to use a gift God has given me, my voice," said Father Collison. "People have expressed that they like listening to my voice. Speech and drama was one of the main activities I was involved with in high school and college, and public speaking has always been one of my favorite things to do."

Father Collison explained that he enjoys announcing and keeping people informed about what is going on at events. He continued that it is a way to be actively involved in the game or sport. He believes that the way someone announces can help people have a good time.

"I've been doing public address announcing for over 30 years, and as long as the Lord continues to bless me with the voice he has given me and the opportunity to use it, I plan to continue," said Father Collison. "It gives me the opportunity to once again to demonstrate to people that priests are real people, with interests just like theirs. Involvement in these types of activities many times act as the ice breaker for some people who have had something on their minds for a long time that they wanted to speak to a priest about but were afraid to do so, especially athletes, coaches, team personnel and team management."

Father Collison stated that if the Explorer's invite him back next season he would be happy to accept.

"I'm always careful to make sure that my avocations do not interfere with my duties as a priest," said Father Collison. "There are games that I tell the team and teams I work for that I cannot work because of scheduled appointments, weddings, funerals etc. If I'm available, however, it's a great way to be involved with a lot of people and hopefully help make their attendance at the event or game an enjoyable experience."