SPORTS: Scooter Chapman gets his due at Civic Field ceremony

Published 1:30 am Saturday, September 30, 2017

PORT ANGELES — The longtime voice of the Roughriders will long have his name on display at Civic Field.

Howard “Scooter” Chapman was honored before the beginning of Friday’s game with a plaque naming the press box above the stands as the Scooter Chapman Press Box.

Chapman has been reporting and announcing Roughrider games since 1950 and is primarily known as the Voice of the Roughriders on KONP Radio.

Port Angeles Mayor Pat Downie spoke as part the ceremony.

“Scooter, youv’e been the voice of the community for many, many years. You’ve shared your talent and passion for the community’s youth. It’s a unique and very special opportunity to thank you on behalf of the city and the fans here. I want to thank you Scooter for all that you’ve done,” Downie said.

Bruce Skinner helped lead the effort to have Chapman recognized for being involved in broadcasting Riders games since 1950.

“Sixty-seven years later and over 2,000 games later, he’s still doing it,” Skinner said.

“It’s not often you get an honor like this when you’re still alive and kicking,” Chapman said. “It’s been a fun ride and it’s not over yet.”

When the game was over, a 35-14 win for the Roughriders, well after all the players and coaches had left the field, Chapman was one of the last people to leave Civic Field. He took one last look at the large plaque on the press box before calling it a night.

“That is a really nice plaque,” he said.