Last weekend, Auburn University downed Arizona in an NCAA Softball Super Regional, winning twice and punching their ticket to the NCAA College World Series.  Auburn first fielded a softball team in 1997 and only one man has been behind the microphone for the Tigers throughout that time, Mark Haon.

AuburnTigers.com:  It Just Kind of Came Out That Way

Even before Jane B. Moore Field was constructed, Haon supported the Tigers softball program from its infancy and is now enjoying a team that’s one of the best in the country.  He goes all the way back to when people stumbled upon the program, rather than circled the dates on their calendar to be there for the biggest games.

His regular job is at the school, which helps on game day when he needs to get to the field.  He helps to find faculty funding for their programs as a Proposal Services Administrator for Auburn’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

“I laugh when I come in and I’m in an Under Armour shirt,” he says. “They’ll say, ‘You’re going to go do some announcing today?’ Then I get to sneak out, come over here and do this.”

Hoan even offers a great piece of advice:

“Any parent will tell you if you find a job that you absolutely love and you can get paid doing it, do it.” Haon says. “I absolutely love it, which is why I’ve kept doing it over the years. I get great seats, and here lately, I get great seats to some amazing games. Have loved women’s softball over the years and fallen in love with it.”

Featured photo from AuburnTigers.com