One of the constants at Bowman Gray Stadium the last few years has been the public-address announcer B-Daht, who in his real life is named Brian McLaughlin.
B-Daht, a 2006 graduate of Winston-Salem State, first started calling games both basketball and football games as a senior in 2005. To say he’s come a long way would be an understatement.
When former athletics director Chico Caldwell hired him he turned him loose on the crowd and in WSSU’s first home game in 2005 against Catawba was rough on the ears. He made fun of the Catawba cheerleaders, mocked the officials and made announcements when the quarterback was calling signals.
B-Daht, who has been a disc jockey at 102 JAMZ, has grown up a lot and does a great job of keeping the fans entertained. I’ve always found him entertaining and he had to be at times when the Rams were 1-10 three years ago.
Some of the older alumni and fans probably don’t like some of B-Daht’s antics but some of those folks probably haven’t been to an NBA game or a minor league baseball game where there is hardly any silence between plays anymore.
To say that B-Daht is excited about this season is an understatement. Today’s game with Shaw, which will kickoff in about a half hour, will be the last time the home fans might be able to hear B-Daht this season. If the Rams make the playoffs and are lucky enough to host a game the public-address announcer will likely be a neutral voice.
The NCAA is in charge of the playoffs and it’s a good bet it wouldn’t like some of B-Daht’s WSSU-heavy rhetoric.
Still, B-Daht is proud of WSSU and it shows in his passion for announcing the games. Visiting fans know where he stands and while he has maybe gone over the top a few times there has been nothing as bad as his first game.
After that first game against Catawba Caldwell sent an apology to Dennis Davidson, the athletics director at Catawba. But since that game B-Daht has improved and has even helped get the fans off their feet during games.
It also doesn’t hurt WSSU to have B-Daht talk about his school when he’s on the radio in the mornings on 102 JAMZ.
On more than one occasion after games this year B-Daht has gotten in the spirit and has asked the fans to chant “I believe” after he says 15-0.
He was also in good form before the game announcing all the seniors and their families.
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