Skogen has been the voice of the Chiefs for 50 years

RONAN — If you don't know Al Skogen, you probably know his voice. For 50 years now, Skogen has been announcing at Chiefs' football games. Except for his time in the service, he's never missed a game.

"I've always been excited about Ronan athletics," he said. "It has been a big part of my life."

He recalled his first time announcing. The Chiefs were playing Loyola and he was in the fourth rung of the bleachers with a mic and a small portable speaker. That was when the field was located where the existing high school is.

Now Skogen sits comfortably in a weatherproof watchtower high above the bleachers with his voice amplified over several high-watt speakers.

"This building is a nice addition to the school," he said.

Over the years, Skogen has seen his share of victories and losses, but as an announcer, he has always tried to sound neutral.

"Some people may think that I shouldn't be as impartial as I am," he said. "But that isn't the way I like to announce."

He explained that he doesn't want to annoy visitors with bombastic enthusiasm.

"I try to be considerate of them," he said.

Prior to being an announcer, Skogen was a quarterback for the Chiefs. His son, Fred, was also a quarterback and now he's thrilled to be watching the third generation of Skogens on the gridiron. His grandson, Alan, is the quarterback for the Chiefs.

One of Skogen's favorite games was in 1974 when the Chiefs beat Glasgow for the State Championship.

"That was one of the greatest days in my life," he said. "It was a great day for Ronan."

It was in the '70s when the Chiefs were on top of their game.

"We announced some pretty good ones during that time. Ronan used to be pretty dominant for a lot of years," he said.

When you've been announcing for as long as Skogen, you're bound to have at least one story of circumstances gone awry. One such instance happened when one of the assistant coaches from an opposing team came up to the crow's nest where Skogen and a spotter were announcing. A fight broke out.

"[The spotter] told him to leave and the fight was on," he said. "I'm trying to announce the game and I'm getting jostled around the whole time."

While 50 years is a milestone, he said couldn't have kept it up so long without the help the spotters give him with accurate play by plays.

"I'm proud of it," he said of his golden years on the mic. "It has been a good ride."