Column: Voice of Assembly Hall

Hoosier Hysteria tips off the 2011-12 IU basketball season Saturday at Assembly Hall.
For one man, it marks the beginning of his 35th season working as the “Voice of Assembly Hall.”

His voice is the sound that booms through the speakers and has become an iconic staple of basketball at IU.

A native of Brazil, Ind., Chuck Crabb, the assistant athletic director for facilities, has served as the public address announcer for Assembly Hall since 1977.

He is a 1973 graduate from the IU School of Journalism and has worked with IU Athletics since 1976.

“My predecessor was in the role for over 40 years and, by the grace of God, if I remain healthy, I will hopefully be here for a few more than that,” Crabb said.

During the last 34 seasons, Crabb has hardly been absent on game day. He has missed approximately eight games due to illness or being needed for other sports events.

When sitting at a game inside the “Carnegie Hall of Basketball,” you will not hear his voice pump up the crowd, nor will he put any more inflection behind calls for Indiana than that of the opponent.

“I am a true fan of Indiana and our student athletes,” he said. “My wife thinks (my style is) boring, but I have conditioned myself to have a style of announcing that does not cheerlead the crowd.”

Crabb began announcing in former IU Coach Bob Knight’s seventh season
at Indiana. Since that time, he has seen many great players come through the program and play on McCracken Court. The list consists of many former All-American stars, such as Kent Benson, Isaiah Thomas, Calbert Cheney, Steve Alford and countless more. The memories he has witnessed are endless.

“(My favorite moment) would be hard to pick, but the senior days stand out because players are remembering their years at Indiana,” he said. “Also, the 1981 Mideast Regional was here, which Indiana won en route to their fourth championship, and that was special.”

Although not amusing to the athletics department, one of the most iconic moments he said he witnessed was during a game versus rival Purdue. After a technical foul, Knight displayed his displeasure by launching a chair across the hardwood during the foul shots and was then ejected.

“‘Oh gosh’ has to be the mild way of putting the thoughts I was thinking at that moment,” Crabb said. ”Coach had many different moods and moments during his 26 years, but that ranks as the lowest point, unfortunately.”

Crabb currently announces for the women’s basketball team as well as the men’s and women’s track and field teams. In the past, he has announced for soccer and football. He was the “Voice of Memorial Stadium” for 29 years before handing the reigns to current announcer Rob Lower.

“I try and be aware that I am somewhat the voice of the institution, and I maintain the standards that have always been associated with Indiana basketball,” Crabb said. “And I remember the words of Coach Knight: ‘No individual by his endeavors is any greater than the school they represent.’ And I believe that to be true.”

Crabb has brought something to Indiana basketball that is irreplaceable. It is not wins or losses; it is not a swift jumper, nor is an ability to coach.

It is a voice that captivates thousands of fans every time they watch a game at Assembly Hall.