“AVERY MAKES THE CALL!”

By Bob Field, Jr.

On a chilly November 17th, when the gritty LaPorte Slicers Jr. Pee Wee team won the Mid-America D-2 Regional Championship at Kiwanis Stadium in Northwest Indiana’s “Maple City” sending them to sunny Florida and ESPN Wide World of Sports for competition in Pop Warner Super Bowl Week, they made sure to bring two sets of jerseys and all their equipment, of course.

They also made sure they had one very important person joining them. Good thing they did. For, as it turned out LaPorte 8th grader Avery Walma quickly became a star in his own right at Pop Warner Super Bowl 63.

Yep, the minute he began providing his clear, dynamic, spirited, accurate and informative “call” on each play from his perch in one of the press boxes above & adjacent to football fields around the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, “Avery The Announcer” became an instant fan favorite.

“There’s a run off-tackle for six yards and a Slicers… FIRST DOWN!”

Avery isn’t one bit bashful about speaking in public. Plus, his engaging demeanor makes him a great communicator; and all of that despite facing a double-whammy of physical challenges in recent years.

As Avery explains, “Back in July, 2015, I had brain stem surgery to remove a tumor. It went well, and after recovery I wanted to get back to playing Pop Warner football.” But, that wasn’t the end of Avery’s challenges.

“Two years later, I broke my back. In December, 2017, I had another surgery. This time they put in a metal plate and screws to stabilize everything. But, again…I loved football. And, I wanted to find some way of staying with the game.”

That’s where Avery and his dad John Walma started doing some research. They visited press boxes during LaPorte High School games, and with Notre Dame “Fighting Irish” home games in nearby South Bend .

“It was amazing, seeing and analyzing a game from that perspective,” recalls Avery. “I got interested, right away, in the idea of becoming an announcer."

Turns out, Avery was a natural. After his first turn manning the PA microphone at Kiwanis Stadium in LaPorte, Avery found himself assigned to call all Greater LaPorte Pop Warner games.

“Then, in November, when the Slicers Jr. Pee Wees became the first LaPorte football team in the association’s 40 years to qualify for the Pop Warner National Championships, Mr. Chris Brooks (Operations Director with Mid-America Pop Warner) suggested that I also go along to call games.”

Once he got to ESPN Wide World of Sports , “Avery The Announcer” became an instant hit. So appealing was his signature “call” of the first round Slicers’ game that Avery was assigned to other games, and other teams, as well! And, what did Avery think of the experience?

“Oh my gosh, it was amazing. Calling games of Field 23 on a Sunday, then more games on Field 17, on Tuesday. And, I made sure to prep on names and positions of players before each game.“ Fans all around the WWOS Complex praised Avery’s style in calling the game, and also his diligence in “getting the pronunciation correct” on all player names. “Some of the Hawaiian team names were a bit challenging. But, if I was not sure, I would check with coaches or volunteers in pre-game to make sure I had it right. People appreciated that.”

And now, what about a future career in announcing; like high school or college, and then? “ Yes, I’m interested in that,” says Avery. “ But, I’m also interested in officiating.” And, again John Walma is all-in on giving Avery yet another opportunity; this time through a program geared to preparing officials for another tough challenge. As John tells us:

“Our Northern Indiana Pop Warner League is home for the Grassroots Officiating Program. Larry Babcock (Mid-America’s Director of Age-Based Football) heads up this Grassroots Program which trains local high school students to be football officials. Avery wants to get into that, as well.”

Great perspective from the booth, on the field, and who knows? Maybe, someday, Avery Walma may turn his interests to team management. It’s all part of the magic that can open up for a Pop Warner participant with talent and a passion for learning and doing! Thanks to “Avery The Announcer” for helping to make this 63rd Pop Warner Super Bowl Week a treasure of sight and sound for all!