The Familiar Voice for the Cardinals

By Megan Phelps
Mike Schikman is in his second year of announcing for the Grottoes Cardinals. He got started because he had a rough year physically, and when they asked him to join, he jumped at the opportunity. Although it is his second year with the Cardinals, they are not the first team in the RCBL that he has announced for. When Bill Phipps, the announcer for the Clover Hill Bucks, first had a decline in health, Mike subbed in for him. Clover Hill reached out because he was known for announcing the little league games of the famous Bowman brothers, Dustin and Addison. He also knew many players from announcing high school games. When asked why he did not stay with the Bucks, his answer was simple, “I’m not their guy, Bill was their guy.” He could not bear the thought of replacing his friend at Clover Hill.
 
Mike has announced play-by-plays for JMU’s men, and women, basketball and football. He has also announced for rec leagues, including an alumni men’s basketball league. He reflected on how he gets to know so many people and players through what he does. “A funny thing happened, I saw the name Curry on the roster and immediately wrote down Clint because he was one of the greatest players, I have seen in the last 25 years. Now his son plays for the RCBL as well.” Mike continues with saying that the RCBL is a family and that puts them apart from other leagues.
 
Mike says that coming to work for the Cardinals felt like coming home. He says people are just so good to him, not only to him but says that is just the way they are. He knows many players and families and they have gone out of their way to make him feel welcome. He says, “They are nice people, when you have a chance to work with nice people, that’s everything.”

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