Centurions football announcer honored for more than 30 years of dedication

Oct. 20—After more than three decades announcing football for the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions, there's not much happening on the field that could surprise Ben Falcone.

But he wasn't prepared for a sneak play by family members and GCC administrators, who honored his 35 years behind the microphone during halftime of Friday's game.

"This is a complete surprise," Falcone said. "I saw my family here, but I thought heck, they just want to come see the game!"

GCC Athletic Director Dan Mahoney joined Falcone and his family on the field as halftime got under way for a short ceremony. Falcone said his favorite part about the job has been watching over the decades from the best seat in the house.

"I can't even say how many great athletes have come through over the years," Falcone said, "Those are great memories and, of course, the biggest one was when we went to the state finals in 2009. Just announcing all these guys over that period of years has been a great honor for me."

Former GCC athletic director John Sullivan has known Falcone since he began announcing Centurions games in 1989, when the school built its own stadium and moved its home games from Offutt Field.

"He was early for every game, he met with coaches beforehand: He was a professional from the beginning," Sullivan said. "He treated it like it was his main job, even though it wasn't."

When Nicholas Falcone of Belle Vernon was growing up, he can recall his father doing a commercial voice-over for Allegheny Business Machines, where he was working.

"He always had a good public speaking voice, and (GCC athletic director) Jim Farrell heard those ads. My dad was also a former football player at Central, so Jim asked if he wanted to do public address announcing," Falcone said.

That was more than 30 years ago, but Nicholas can still remember going to the press box with his father.

"He'd be there with Rich Stillwagon spotting on binoculars and Bob Butler doing the time clock. (Radio station) WHJB always broadcast Central's games, and we were all squeezed into the (press) box with the offensive and defensive coordinators," he said.

Nicholas said his dad's attachment to Central and its football program has always been special.

"He'd go to opposing fans and talk with them to make sure he knew how to pronounce everyone's name," he said. "He's an encyclopedia of stats and has them ready at a moment's notice. And I think that type of organization helped him to be successful in business as well."

Mahoney has known Falcone for more than two decades.

"He's announced my sons," Mahoney said. "It's awesome. We've had a lot of great teams and memories, and he's been a part of that. And even through the tough times, he's been great. He's a gentleman's gentleman."

Nicholas agreed.

"When Central won their first WPIAL, he was along for that whole run, he got to watch my siblings and I go through the school, and now he's announcing for the kids of former players," he said.

As he came off the field Friday night, Falcone made it clear that he doesn't plan to stop anytime soon.

"If I can make it a few more years, I'll probably be announcing grandkids," he said with a laugh.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .