LINCOLN – For nearly five decades, his voice has been unmistakable, almost a familiar comfort at Alcona High School. He has welcomed fans to scores of games, pointed out alumni young and old in crowds and shown school pride by reciting facts about its athletic history.

Now after 49 years, Don Franklin is stepping away from the microphone.

Franklin, Alcona’s longtime announcer for football and many other sports, is retiring at the end of the school year. While he has spent the last 49 years watching scores of Alcona athletes, Franklin, 74, is stepping away to watch his grandkids, who are all heavily involved in athletics.

“I’ve got two grandkids playing in Battle Creek. I’ve got a grandson that’s a sophomore at Battle Creek St. Phillip and he plays everything and I’ve got a granddaughter in Battle Creek who’s in seventh grade and she plays three sports. I’ve got a grandson in Oscoda, Owen, and he goes into ninth grade next fall and he plays everything,” Franklin said. “So I want to see them, I want to watch them. I don’t want to miss my grandkids growing up.”

Franklin called his final regular season football game for the Tigers Friday and he read a statement at halftime thanking fans for their support and talking about his time as an announcer.

Before the game he was presented with a Golden Ticket by Superintendent Shawn Thornton, which allows him lifetime admission to any Alcona home game for free. He also was presented with a football helmet signed by Alcona players from Alcona coach Jason Somers.

Franklin’s time calling Alcona games is almost as long as the school itself. Alcona opened in 1958 and Franklin began announcing in 1967 when he read the starting lineups for a basketball game. He began as Alcona’s football announcer in 1968 and gradually became Alcona’s voice for other sports.

“I will miss the sound of his voice on Friday evenings calling out plays and giving the history of the school,” Alcona Athletic Coordinator Patti Byce said. “Some favorite moments are when he recognizes former athletes in the crowd. This has happened game after game and year after year. He calls alumni by name, announces what sports they played and the position. He remembers the year they graduated as well. It simply amazes me.”

While Franklin has announced everything from soccer to baseball and softball to track to basketball, football is perhaps the sport for which he’s known best. Franklin usually arrives early to get things in order, figuring out which announcements he’ll read, going over rosters to check names and pronunciations and scanning the crowd for alumni.

“I get pretty fired up naturally. I just love it. I love Alcona Friday night football,” Franklin said.

Franklin graduated from Alcona in 1960 as part of the school’s first sophomore class and continued to live in the county as his four kids attended and graduated from Alcona. As a result, Franklin seemingly knows everyone in Lincoln. He often points out alumni young and old during games as if they’re old friends. Not only does he remember names, but Franklin can easily remember when various alumni played and what their accomplishments were as high schoolers.

Somers, who played at Alcona in the 1990s before becoming the football coach, called Franklin an ambassador for Alcona sports.

“He knows every record from the very beginning and he’s passionate about it. When you come from a small town where sports are huge, it’s great to see someone who’s passionate like that and wants to tell you how great Alcona sports are,” Somers said.

“A lot of my memories (of his announcing) are of him pointing out alumni in the crowd. When you came back, it was always exciting to hear your name and to know he thought you were a contributor.”

Franklin’s encyclopedic knowledge of Alcona sports led to the unveiling of new record boards in the high school gym a few years ago and Franklin said in 49 years he’s seen the highs and lows of Alcona sports.

Highs include the last several years where the Tigers have won district championships in seven different sports. Lows include Alcona’s 1975 football season where Franklin helped put together a team in flux that went 0-8 and scored just six points.

“Generally speaking, Alcona athletics has been up for the last 10-15 years. We’ve had some down periods here (too),” Franklin said. “The basketball program’s always been very good and in the last several years football has gotten very good.”

Franklin likely will get to call one last home football game before the season ends. With a 7-1 record, Alcona is on track to host its first playoff game next week. He’ll also fill in as needed whenever he’s asked.

A lot has changed since Franklin began his journey as an announcer, but doing it for 49 years is something he said he’s very proud of.

“It makes me feel good. I love Alcona, I know the history of it pretty well. I’ve watched virtually every coach and every kid come through here because of me going to school here,” Franklin said. “It makes me feel good that I’m known that way. I try to keep the alumni involved and try to make it a community event.”

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.