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Rodeo announcers have futures in another field: rodeo history.

The amount of rodeo knowledge in one rodeo announcer's head could fill a thick college text book. They must know the rules, the animals and facts about the people involved, including all the competitors. Like announcers for any event, they must be quick on their feet, witty and possess a clear, powerful voice. It is a special job performed by special men. Rodeo announcers sometimes call the action from horseback, though most prefer a perch overlooking the arena.

Here's a switch. During the week, he calls the shots in the tense, sterile arena of a hospital operating room. But on weekends, Dr Lynn Phillips trades his stethoscope and surgical greens for a silver felt cowboy hat, a silver belt buckle and a silk bandanna and picks up a microphone as a professional rodeo announcer. During his career as a rodeo announcer, Lynn can truthfully say, "I've announced everywhere from Wahoo to Kalamazoo." A few years ago, he announced a rodeo in the Wings Hockey Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and then he had the pleasure of announcing the PRCA rodeo in Wahoo, Nebraska. Lynn commented, "Traveling is one of the things I enjoy most about announcing."

Medicine can't match his weekend rodeo hobby for excitement, "I still get butterflies before I start announcing," Phillips smiles, "but unlike years ago, now they fly in formation."

As long as this announcer is behind the microphone, you will probably never hear the question, "Is there a doctor in the house?"