Shannock Valley High School football announcer marks 50 seasons

Victor Firment never expected a Shannock Valley High School football game in 1965 would change fall Friday nights for the next half century.

Friday's West Shamokin football game against the Summit Academy Knights will conclude Firment's 50th season in the press box either announcing or helping to call football games in the eastern part of the Armstrong School District.

“I've just always loved sports,” Firment said, smiling. “I've seen a lot of history and called a lot of good teams and just as many bad teams.

“But the one thing that's stayed constant is that there's always been a lot of pride in Shannock Valley and West Shamokin football, and I'm proud I've been a part of it.”

Over the last 50 years, Firment has missed only one game, Sept. 12, 1986, because teachers across Armstrong School District were on strike. Although the game was canceled the day before, Firment said he planned to not call the game out of respect for the school's teachers.

Firment's time in the press box started accidentally, when he wanted to get a better view of his friend, Mike Krizmanich, on the field during a Shannock Valley High football game.

Although he doesn't recall who the Spartans were playing 50 years ago, Firment remembers climbing a ladder to the concession stand roof, where the announcers were sitting.

He remembers watching announcer Jack Boyer call the game, and he began helping him.

“I liked to be up front, so I was his spotter —I told him the names of each player making plays on the field,” Firment said. “Boy, was he a good announcer, so I was happy to work with him.”

He worked alongside Boyer for 15 years, helping him quickly identify players.

Firment took the microphone in 1980, after Boyer was moved to Kittanning High School.

Former Athletic Director Tony Bernardi asked him to take on the role. Although Firment agreed, he said he hesitated to take on the job.

“I didn't know if I could handle it, but Tony talked me into it and I sure try hard,” Firment said. “Now I look forward to it. It's something that makes Friday nights in the fall special.”

Bernardi said asking Firment to take over play-by-play duties was an easy decision because he was so passionate about football.

“I had him in a history class, so I knew his personality was very outgoing, which is a great fit to announce games,” Bernardi said. “He's the type of person that everybody likes and he's extremely dedicated.”

Although Bernardi expected Firment to be dedicated to the job, he never though he would stay in the press box this long.

“I never knew he would last 50 years,” Bernardi said. “But anybody who can do something like he does for 50 years has really accomplished something.”

Most memorable moment

Firment's most memorable moment came in 1988, when Shannock Valley High School retired jerseys for former players Doug Buffone and Bob Pellegrini.

Buffone played 14 seasons as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, while Pellegrini was 1952 Shannock Valley graduate and a two-time All-American who played nine seasons in the NFL.

“There were so many television stations there for it,” Firment said. “(Buffone and Pellegrini) were both there the night we retired their jerseys at halftime. It was easily the best night of my entire announcing career.”

Firment's next challenge came in 2000, when Shannock Valley High School was merged with Elderton High School to form today's West Shamokin High School. Along with the new school, the Wolves also got a new football field and press box.

“At Shannock Valley, we were just on top of that concession stand — uncovered — with old microphones,” Firment said, laughing. “Rain or snow, we were up there. But now we've got a nice press box that's got heat.”

Since starting with the football program, Firment said he has seen his teams change conferences several times, watched more than a dozen coaches come and go, and has gotten to call many exciting games and players.

When he first started, Firment said school officials paid him $5 per game, but now he's up to $44 per game.

“I'm not going to get rich doing this, but it's a job I would do for no money at all,” Firment said.

Although he's been asked to cover various games for radio broadcasts, Firment said he has always declined because he wants to continue calling West Shamokin's games.

“I'm happy here, and I've always had the best seat in the house,” Firment said. “As long as I can talk, even if they have to wheel me up to that press box in a wheelchair, I want to keep calling these games.”

Brad Pedersen is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1337, or bpedersen@tribweb.com.