Voices of the Kings
Scott Moak's voice has become associated with the Kings.
When it comes to having success on the NBA court, it takes a total team effort.
And when it comes to keeping fans entertained and on their highest level of enthusiasm, the same effort is needed from the public address tag team of Scott Moak and Ira Smith.
Growing up both as Kings fans, Moak and Smith has brought in a fan-type enthusiasm to the Kings PA team. Moak’s powerful voice announces the team’s starting lineups and informs the crowd on baskets scored, fouls made and substitutions. It may sound like that’s a lot of information to obtain in such a short period of time. That’s because it is.
"You just have to pay close attention," said Moak, a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento. "And really be aware and alert of everything that’s going on all the way. From the play on the court to the things that are going on around in the arena. Just to keep in the flow of games because it does happen a lot quicker."
During pregame, Smith gets the crowd warmed up with community service messages, out-of-town scores and other Kings information, which includes future home game information and player appearances around town. Still, a lot of research has to be taken prior to even pregame warmups. "Make sure you have your information ahead of time," Smith said. "Make sure you know not just what to say, but what not to say. Never put anyone down. But of course, show more excitement for the home team."
After high school, Moak attended Consumnes River College, where he played on the baseball team with Jermaine Dye (now with the Oakland A’s). From there, he went to U.C. Davis, where he received a degree in psychology. During his years in Davis, he worked at the school’s radio station, where he did sports talk radio during March Madness games. In 2002, he was asked to join the Kings staff as the team’s PA announcer. It was the perfect job for someone who has had Kings season tickets while growing up.
"I was kind of doing it just as a hobby," said Moak, who has also been asked to speak during high school and college games. "It was a great way to watch games and get a good seat. It just kind of rolled on. It was crazy how it all happened."
By day, Moak works with Prevent Child Abuse California, a state-wide agency. Prior to that, he worked at the Sacramento Children’s Home for six years. With ARCO Arena having a nation-wide reputation of having the one of the loudest and most enthusiastic crowds in the NBA, Moak’s job is that much easier.
"There is just so much energy in this building," Moak said. "And the fans are unbelievable. In a lot of other arenas, that aren’t as loud and don’t have the fans with the type of support and sports intelligence that they have here, you have to coach them into being louder. We don’t have to do that here. Because people know when to do it and they do it on their own. They know when the team needs a little pump from the ‘Sixth Man’."
Moak’s unique style pays hommage to his former high school PA announcer, Hassan Hanks, whom Moak says he ‘gives him full credit for’.
Smith is in his fourth year with the Kings. But his resume behind a microphone has a 26-year history. He also works as a play-by-play announcer for the Napa Valley radio station, KVON, where he broadcasts games for Napa High School and Vintage High School.
Smith joined the Kings staff in 2000, when former PA announcer Fred Anderson succumbed to cancer, causing a city-wide search for a new announcer. "It started at about 160 people," Smith said. "It went down to 16 semi-finalists, then four semi-finalists and then two."
Smith won the overall competition when he broadcasted one half of a Kings preseason game while his competition broadcasted the second half. Smith received the final call.
For two years, Smith was the main mic man, announcing starting lineups and players scoring baskets before handing it over to Moak. His distinguished voice can also be found in Sega Sports games NBA 2K2, 2K3 and 2K4, where he’s the PA announcer for all 29 video game teams.
Smith’s career in broadcasting began at the University of Cincinnati in the early 1960s. Coincidentally, the Kings were there as well.
"I was the sports director of our radio station at the University of Cincinnati," Smith said. "And the Royals allowed us to broadcast their games on our student station. So, I got to do the games there when Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Wayne Embry were all there."
Whether it’s informing crowds of future Kings events, or calling play-by-plays at high school games in the Napa Valley, Smith does his best to stay on top of things.
"Either case, you have to be alert at all times," Smith said. "You have to have almost tunnel vision, just focusing on a particular thing. There’s probably more preparation involved in the local scene than with the Kings. Because the Kings are a more familiar team as opposed as looking at two different football teams, following the players and following the action."
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Share on FacebookAnd when it comes to keeping fans entertained and on their highest level of enthusiasm, the same effort is needed from the public address tag team of Scott Moak and Ira Smith.
Growing up both as Kings fans, Moak and Smith has brought in a fan-type enthusiasm to the Kings PA team. Moak’s powerful voice announces the team’s starting lineups and informs the crowd on baskets scored, fouls made and substitutions. It may sound like that’s a lot of information to obtain in such a short period of time. That’s because it is.
"You just have to pay close attention," said Moak, a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento. "And really be aware and alert of everything that’s going on all the way. From the play on the court to the things that are going on around in the arena. Just to keep in the flow of games because it does happen a lot quicker."
During pregame, Smith gets the crowd warmed up with community service messages, out-of-town scores and other Kings information, which includes future home game information and player appearances around town. Still, a lot of research has to be taken prior to even pregame warmups. "Make sure you have your information ahead of time," Smith said. "Make sure you know not just what to say, but what not to say. Never put anyone down. But of course, show more excitement for the home team."
After high school, Moak attended Consumnes River College, where he played on the baseball team with Jermaine Dye (now with the Oakland A’s). From there, he went to U.C. Davis, where he received a degree in psychology. During his years in Davis, he worked at the school’s radio station, where he did sports talk radio during March Madness games. In 2002, he was asked to join the Kings staff as the team’s PA announcer. It was the perfect job for someone who has had Kings season tickets while growing up.
"I was kind of doing it just as a hobby," said Moak, who has also been asked to speak during high school and college games. "It was a great way to watch games and get a good seat. It just kind of rolled on. It was crazy how it all happened."
By day, Moak works with Prevent Child Abuse California, a state-wide agency. Prior to that, he worked at the Sacramento Children’s Home for six years. With ARCO Arena having a nation-wide reputation of having the one of the loudest and most enthusiastic crowds in the NBA, Moak’s job is that much easier.
"There is just so much energy in this building," Moak said. "And the fans are unbelievable. In a lot of other arenas, that aren’t as loud and don’t have the fans with the type of support and sports intelligence that they have here, you have to coach them into being louder. We don’t have to do that here. Because people know when to do it and they do it on their own. They know when the team needs a little pump from the ‘Sixth Man’."
Moak’s unique style pays hommage to his former high school PA announcer, Hassan Hanks, whom Moak says he ‘gives him full credit for’.
Smith is in his fourth year with the Kings. But his resume behind a microphone has a 26-year history. He also works as a play-by-play announcer for the Napa Valley radio station, KVON, where he broadcasts games for Napa High School and Vintage High School.
Smith joined the Kings staff in 2000, when former PA announcer Fred Anderson succumbed to cancer, causing a city-wide search for a new announcer. "It started at about 160 people," Smith said. "It went down to 16 semi-finalists, then four semi-finalists and then two."
Smith won the overall competition when he broadcasted one half of a Kings preseason game while his competition broadcasted the second half. Smith received the final call.
For two years, Smith was the main mic man, announcing starting lineups and players scoring baskets before handing it over to Moak. His distinguished voice can also be found in Sega Sports games NBA 2K2, 2K3 and 2K4, where he’s the PA announcer for all 29 video game teams.
Smith’s career in broadcasting began at the University of Cincinnati in the early 1960s. Coincidentally, the Kings were there as well.
"I was the sports director of our radio station at the University of Cincinnati," Smith said. "And the Royals allowed us to broadcast their games on our student station. So, I got to do the games there when Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Wayne Embry were all there."
Whether it’s informing crowds of future Kings events, or calling play-by-plays at high school games in the Napa Valley, Smith does his best to stay on top of things.
"Either case, you have to be alert at all times," Smith said. "You have to have almost tunnel vision, just focusing on a particular thing. There’s probably more preparation involved in the local scene than with the Kings. Because the Kings are a more familiar team as opposed as looking at two different football teams, following the players and following the action."
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