By Madison Shaw
Originally published in the Left Hand Valley Courier on June 11, 2025.
Bob Underwood (Madison Shaw/Left Hand Valley Courier)
While Bob Underwood may be a familiar face around Niwot, he is undoubtedly also a familiar voice to many. Having been the voice behind Niwot High School's varsity baseball games for over three decades, Underwood's presence in the community has extended well beyond his role as an announcer.
His connection to Niwot runs deep, as he spent nearly 30 years as an English teacher at Niwot High, while also supporting various sports programs throughout the years.
Underwood's journey into announcing began in the early 1980s when he first started spotting for the football team. "I started in about 1982 or '83," he recalled. Then, he began announcing for wrestling and became a line judge for volleyball, and eventually found himself involved in basketball, gymnastics, track and field, and baseball.
"Niwot's principal Mike Flynn wanted me to run a lot of the other sports as well, so I started filling in, and eventually I would end up doing a lot of the books, the clock, and the announcing," Underwood explained.
Even after retiring from teaching in 2007, Underwood continued his work with the sports teams. "I've been continuous. Still doing it," he said, referring to his ongoing role announcing baseball games.
Underwood's love for the game is clear. "The Bob Bote baseball years were among the best," he remembered. "We took a couple of championships. His teams were always winners. They did some amazing things." Underwood's passion for the sport is matched by his admiration for the athletes who play it.
"These kids are not pros, but they're damn good," he said. He fondly remembers the championship teams of the late '90s and early 2000s when Niwot won state championships in five out of eight seasons, and especially players like Sean Ratliff, who went on to play and manage professionally in the Mets organization.
For Underwood, announcing is about more than reading names and stats. He sees it as an opportunity to support each athlete's dedication to the game. "It's always fun to announce both teams and honor both sides," he explained. No matter which team is playing, Underwood ensures the players are recognized for their hard work and passion.
"These are kids who are just playing their sport, and they love it. They deserve respect, no matter what uniform they're wearing," Underwood said.
Underwood arrives about an hour and a half before the first pitch, and heads straight to the visitors' team to gather a roster and pronunciations for each player. "I write everything down," he said. "Who's starting, what positions they're playing. It's all about making sure the kids are recognized properly."
But Underwood's impact on Niwot goes beyond sports. He reflected on his nearly 30 years teaching English at Niwot High School, "For me, it was a dream job." From American literature to science fiction to mass media, he taught over 35 different courses.
"I would always tell my students that the best athletes in the school were the gymnasts," he remembered. "They were amazing to watch. The things they would do were just phenomenal."
"I remember when Tiny Koehler was the football coach, and the team won state for the first time," Underwood added, reflecting on the many great moments he has witnessed at Niwot over the years.
Announcing baseball means more to Underwood than just the game. "It's a great sport. I love the kids. I love being there," he said, a sentiment that perfectly captures his lasting dedication to Niwot and its athletes.
