Apparently, the response from irate Capital fans frustrated by Rowe’s alleged cheering from the press box during Olympia’s dramatic, 35-28 win was, “Get lost.”
After Capital fans complained of biased announcing, Rowe was asked to step down as the announcer by Olympia School District superintendent Bill Lahmann. Rowe’s replacement has not been named.
“Evidently, there were people from Capital that thought I was too biased,” Rowe said. “It’s discouraging. It’s unfortunate. I am not malicious or derogatory or abusive or berating of our opponents. I didn’t say anything negative about Capital.”
It was Rowe’s support of Olympia after a big play that irked Capital fans.
“Our goal is to keep the focus on the students and their achievements, rather than what’s happening in the press box,” said Peter Rex, the district’s communications director. “And there were some concerns about that expressed by a lot of people that night. There were a lot of angry people there at the Spaghetti Bowl.”
Rex said the P.A. announcer’s duty is to announce who made the tackle and what down it is.
“There’s not a lot of room to give a lot of flourish when you’re the P.A. announcer,” Rex said. “You want to create a welcoming environment.”
Rex said the district wanted the cheering left to the cheerleaders and the fans.
Rowe’s loyalties are deeply tied to Olympia. He started at tackle for Olympia in the late 1970s, was the school’s athletic director for eight years and was a volunteer assistant coach. His license plate reads “Blue Bears,” referring to the school’s colors and mascot.
Last year, Rowe was named Olympia High’s volunteer of the year. His announcer position was a volunteer role.
When Olympia’s Justin Henry scooped up a fumble and raced untouched 72 yards for the game-winning touchdown with four minutes left in the game, Rowe said, “What do you say?”
It was Rowe’s version of what long-time Tumwater fan Jake Berschauer used to say to rally the fans: “Who you for?”
“I’d like to think what I bring to the game was positive and advantageous,” Rowe said.
Late in the game, Capital fans booed Rowe when he announced that Capital running back Tyler Sundberg was “as tough as a $2 steak.”
“I think people had had enough of him by then,” Rex said.
Rowe was in his first year of announcing for the Bears. He replaced Jim McNamara, who retired at the end of last season after 32 years.
Rowe would like another chance.
“I want to announce if they want me to announce,” Rowe said. “This was my second varsity game. And suddenly they decide I’m too over the top for Olympia, and they can’t have me announce.”
After the game, a mother of a Capital player came into the press box to talk with Rowe, he said.
“It was a cordial conversation. She expressed her concern that I was too in favor of Olympia,” Rowe said. “I said with all due respect, it is an Olympia home game. She said it’s a community event and all that didn’t matter. I did my best to acknowledge both bands, both cheerleading staffs. I announced Capital’s players first. But I’m not going to not acknowledge a great play by Olympia? I’m not going to not get excited if an Olympia kid runs back a football 75 yards for a touchdown? That’s an exciting play.”
Rowe said a solution would be to appoint a neutral announcer for the Spaghetti Bowl.
“I don’t have any problem with that,” Rowe said. “But I’m not going to water down what I say. I am who I am. I’m passionate about football.”
Olympia plays at Wilson today. The Bears’ next home game is Sept. 25 against South Kitsap.
Gail Wood: 360-754-5443
gwood@theolympian.com
