WASHBURN, Maine — It doesn’t matter if there is one fan or 100 inside the Washburn High School gymnasium, because for each and every game, Crystal Hobbs is putting her heart into making every player feel celebrated.
Hobbs serves as the announcer for both boys and girls varsity basketball at Washburn High School. With each game, she brings a level of enthusiasm that would make any player feel like they made it to the National Basketball Association. However, Hobbs doesn’t bring the bravado just for the Beavers, she brings that same level of enthusiasm to all players on the court.
Before Hobbs, Washburn Athletic Director Ron Ericson announced the names for both boys and girls varsity games. But as head coach of the varsity girls team, Hobbs noticed that Ericson was losing his voice after games, and was not able to project the names of players.
Wanting to help, Hobbs took up the mantle of announcer.
Hobbs began announcing games so enthusiastically after the first game of the season, where she noticed that few fans were trickling in and the atmosphere in the gym was more subdued.
“We were getting fans in, but we didn’t have that many yet,” Hobbs said. “The atmosphere was kind of dead and real quiet, so I thought that it was time to liven things up a bit. So I put a little extra (oomph) into it to generate more enthusiasm from the crowd and kids as well.”
While Hobbs brings life into announcing for basketball, she has established herself more as a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades, master of none.”
Hobbs works as an administrative assistant at Washburn High School, serves as the assistant coach on the girls varsity basketball team, as well as the assistant coach for girls varsity soccer and softball.
Hobbs also picks up drumsticks and assists the pep band when they need more players. She even opens up her office as a safe place for students to talk when they need it, earning her the affectionate title of “Mama Hobbs” among students.
Ericson described Hobbs as an enthusiastic person whose positive energy enriches the Washburn athletics environment.
“Crystal Hobbs is a very dynamic individual that plays a key role in our school,” Ericson said. “She is enthusiastic and loves to introduce the kids. She adds a definite extra flavor to our atmosphere. at our games. It is fun to hear her do it and to be honest, it is not easy to speak in that excited tone while wearing masks.”
While the regular basketball season comes to a close, there is no doubt that Hobbs will return next year, ready to bring the enthusiasm to the court.
