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'''Alan Foster''' (Born May 8 (?), 1975) is an Australian citizen living in the United States. He is a former sports radio show host, sports news columnist, recpient of the Order of Australia Medal, and now the | '''Alan Foster''' (Born May 8 (?), 1975) is an Australian citizen living in the United States. He is a former sports radio show host, sports news columnist, recpient of the Order of Australia Medal, the Military Medal(UK) and now the official announcer of the [[Santa Ana Spectrums]] in the [[Southwestern Division]] of the [[Western Conference]] of the [[FBA]]. Species: Dingo. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
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By the time he was seventeen, Alan had been through seven foster homes and multiple orphanages, complaining of abuses in each, which led him to enlist in the Australian army at the age of seventeen, choosing the Signal Corps MOT as it would take him to Townsville, as far from Perth as he could get. He has since never returned to Perth, and has vowed not to. | By the time he was seventeen, Alan had been through seven foster homes and multiple orphanages, complaining of abuses in each, which led him to enlist in the Australian army at the age of seventeen, choosing the Signal Corps MOT as it would take him to Townsville, as far from Perth as he could get. He has since never returned to Perth, and has vowed not to. | ||
Despite being only 5’3”, Foster excelled in boot camp, but was eventually considered too small for active infantry duty, and so he was put into the communications division, learning how to set up and maintain radio | Despite being only 5’3”, Foster excelled in boot camp, but was eventually considered too small for active infantry duty, and so he was put into the communications division, learning how to set up and maintain radio equipment. In a lucky break for Foster, a base DJ was bitten by a brown snake and had to go immediately to the hospital, leaving only Foster in the station. Not knowing much about music, Foster took to the mic and opened the sports page, of his daily newspaper, and immediately all his years of watching the other boys play paid off. Knowing the ins and outs of every game, he read off the sports news like a true broadcaster, and his unplanned broadcast was an immediate hit. From then on out, Foster gave the sports news every afternoon, until in 1991 he was deployed for a 90-day tour of duty in Iraq. | ||
====Service Under Fire==== | ====Service Under Fire==== | ||
Again he would not see the front lines, manning a British radio center, and he maintained his focus on sports, now broadening his scope to include international games. It seemed like a cushy job until two weeks prior to his scheduled return to Australia, a small force attacked his camp with mortar and rocket fire. Foster immediately called for help, getting his request off shortly before the communications center was hit by a rocket. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his back, paw and shoulder, as well as bruising to his head, but managed to continue relaying commands and requests over the broken equipment as best he could, managing to hail a Canadian unit not too far away who came to their rescue. Remaining in the infirmary for the remainder of his tour, Foster was decorated by the British military with the Military Medal, for his bravery in the field and his actions under injury which resulted in the saving of British and Australian lives. | Again he would not see the front lines, manning a British radio center, and he maintained his focus on sports, now broadening his scope to include international games. It seemed like a cushy job until two weeks prior to his scheduled return to Australia, a small force attacked his camp with mortar and rocket fire. Foster immediately called for help, getting his request off shortly before the communications center was hit by a rocket. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his back, paw and shoulder, as well as bruising to his head, but managed to continue relaying commands and requests over the broken equipment as best he could, managing to hail a Canadian unit not too far away who came to their rescue. Remaining in the infirmary for the remainder of his tour, Foster was decorated by the British military with the Military Medal, for his bravery in the field and his actions under injury which resulted in the saving of British and Australian lives. | ||
Upon returning to | Upon returning to his native Australia, he was promoted from Lance-Corporal to Corporal, the highest rank he achieved in his military service, and was given duty in the radio booth once more. | ||
==Breaking Into the Business== | ==Breaking Into the Business== | ||
After his four year service in the army, Foster knew that sports radio was his true calling, and he pursued jobs at every station in Townsville, finally landing an early morning gig at a small local station. While it did not reach many listeners, Foster’s chipper attitude in the morning was a welcome treat to his audience, and he gained a loyal fanbase. That fanbase eventually carried him to the afternoon shift, and finally to a syndicated news radio station where he was teamed with a partner for a sports news show. At this time, he also began writing columns for the newspaper, and conducted several interviews with major Australian players of the day, slowly becoming a local celebrity. | After his four year service in the army, Foster knew that sports radio was his true calling, and he pursued jobs at every station in Townsville, finally landing an early morning gig at a small local station. While it did not reach many listeners, Foster’s chipper attitude in the morning was a welcome treat to his audience, and he gained a loyal fanbase. That fanbase eventually carried him to the afternoon shift, and finally to a syndicated news radio station where he was teamed with a partner for a sports news show. At this time, he also began writing columns for the newspaper, and conducted several interviews with major Australian players of the day, slowly becoming a local celebrity. | ||
But his biggest break came in 1997 when while at a professional cricket match, long-time announcer Rip Dooley suffered a serious heart attack just after the opening pitch. Foster, in the pressbox near him, took to the mic without being asked, and announced the rest of the game in his stead. Fans listening on the radio were confused at first, but being familiar with Foster’s voice, and hearing his excitement and enthusiasm, no one complained. While he did receive a | But his biggest break came in 1997 when while at a professional cricket match, long-time announcer Rip Dooley suffered a serious heart attack just after the opening pitch. Foster, in the pressbox near him, took to the mic without being asked, and announced the rest of the game in his stead. Fans listening on the radio were confused at first, but being familiar with Foster’s voice, and hearing his excitement and enthusiasm, no one complained. While he did receive a citation for announcing without a union license, no punishment was levied, and Foster was invited back after gaining his license so that he could announce games when Dooley was not feeling well. Eventually, however his radio schedule proved too demanding, and he was forced to relinquish his post as back-up announcer. | ||
While his fame grew, Foster never lost sight of where he came from, nor could he forget the abuses he suffered as a child. Deciding that no child should have to go through what he did, he started a charity for orphaned, displaced, runaway and foster children, calling it “Foster’s Kids.” Using his minor celebrity status, as well as his own unfortunate story, the short dingo garnered fast support from the local community, and eventually the whole country. For his works, Foster was honored with the Order of Australia medal in 2003. | While his fame grew, Foster never lost sight of where he came from, nor could he forget the abuses he suffered as a child. Deciding that no child should have to go through what he did, he started a charity for orphaned, displaced, runaway and foster children, calling it “Foster’s Kids.” Using his minor celebrity status, as well as his own unfortunate story, the short dingo garnered fast support from the local community, and eventually the whole country. For his works, Foster was honored with the Order of Australia medal in 2003. | ||
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==Frakes and Foster== | ==Frakes and Foster== | ||
===Replacing Bussey=== | ===Replacing Bussey=== | ||
In the Spring of 2004, American radio station KLVT in Los Angeles had a problem. Its most popular show, Bussey and Frakes, was losing one half of its duo as longtime sportscaster Snyder Bussey was retiring, giving | In the Spring of 2004, American radio station KLVT in [[Los Angeles]] had a problem. Its most popular show, Bussey and Frakes, was losing one half of its duo as longtime sportscaster Snyder Bussey was retiring, giving only one week’s notice. In a jam, the station reviewed thousands of applicants, but could not find anything to replace Bussey’s signature “whiskey-voice” sound. In a move that would change Foster’s life forever, an intern recommended the dingo, having heard him while on vacation the previous year. After listening through podcast versions of some of his shows, KLVT was hooked, and called the dingo on the spot, not realizing it was three in the morning in Townsville. A very groggy Foster answered the phone, and by nine o’clock, he was onboard a plane, headed for Los Angeles. | ||
With his good nature and charming voice, Foster turned out to be the perfect foil for the brash, overbearing attitude of wolf co-host, Martin Frakes, and the Bussey and Frakes show was quickly eclipsed by the Frakes and Foster Morning Sports Report. In early shows, Frakes tried to ridicule Foster by testing his sports knowledge, but in an episode called the “Stay Down Under” challenge, Foster proved his worth by not only outscoring Frakes, but by even trumping the guest expert. Foster’s friendly attitude and meek demeanor won over his new American audience, and soon he was back to work writing newspaper columns and interviewing sports stars again. | With his good nature and charming voice, Foster turned out to be the perfect foil for the brash, overbearing attitude of wolf co-host, Martin Frakes, and the Bussey and Frakes show was quickly eclipsed by the Frakes and Foster Morning Sports Report. In early shows, Frakes tried to ridicule Foster by testing his sports knowledge, but in an episode called the “Stay Down Under” challenge, Foster proved his worth by not only outscoring Frakes, but by even trumping the guest expert. Foster’s friendly attitude and meek demeanor won over his new American audience, and soon he was back to work writing newspaper columns and interviewing sports stars again. | ||
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In late Autumn of 2010, the tension between Frakes and Foster was growing to a head, but no one expected Frakes to just up and leave, but that’s exactly what he did. Giving the station no notice, he quit, taking a solo show on a rival station, leaving only a note pinned to his chair for Foster to find in the morning. Worried about his own job, Foster carried on with the show as normal, delivering a polite jab to Frakes as he informed listeners about his co-host’s departure, then welcomed the morning’s guest, [[Santa Ana Spectrums]] head coach, [[Jackson Price]]. | In late Autumn of 2010, the tension between Frakes and Foster was growing to a head, but no one expected Frakes to just up and leave, but that’s exactly what he did. Giving the station no notice, he quit, taking a solo show on a rival station, leaving only a note pinned to his chair for Foster to find in the morning. Worried about his own job, Foster carried on with the show as normal, delivering a polite jab to Frakes as he informed listeners about his co-host’s departure, then welcomed the morning’s guest, [[Santa Ana Spectrums]] head coach, [[Jackson Price]]. | ||
The show went on as normally as possible until Price dropped a bombshell on Foster, offering him a new position – as the official announcer for the Spectrums. Ecstatic, and also worried about his current job’s longevity without a co-host, Foster accepted on the spot,though he finished out another week until the station could find suitable replacements for him, not wishing to leave them in the lurch as Frakes had. | The show went on as normally as possible until Price dropped a bombshell on Foster, offering him a new position – as the official announcer for the Spectrums. Ecstatic, and also worried about his current job’s longevity without a co-host, Foster accepted on the spot, though he finished out another week until the station could find suitable replacements for him, not wishing to leave them in the lurch as Frakes had. | ||
==Schooling== | ==Schooling== | ||
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==FBA Career== | ==FBA Career== | ||
As announcer for the Spectrums, Foster’s lively voice, quaint accent and audible passion for the game has made him a hit among fans who originally thought that any form of an accent would be a | As announcer for the Spectrums, Foster’s lively voice, quaint accent and audible passion for the game has made him a hit among fans who originally thought that any form of an accent would be a hindrance in such a position. Unlike most announcers who watch from the booth above, Foster insisted on going old-school, manning the officials table at courtside while in Santa Ana, though he does use the pressbox at away games, always providing his own microphone. | ||
==Personal Life== | ==Personal Life== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:44, 4 January 2011
Alan Foster (Born May 8 (?), 1975) is an Australian citizen living in the United States. He is a former sports radio show host, sports news columnist, recpient of the Order of Australia Medal, the Military Medal(UK) and now the official announcer of the Santa Ana Spectrums in the Southwestern Division of the Western Conference of the FBA. Species: Dingo.
Biography
Childhood
Alan Foster was raised in the Australian orphanage and foster care system since infancy in the greater Perth area. His parents are unknown, and his first name was assigned to him alphabetically from a list of names reserved for infants dropped off with no information. His original last name was Taylor, but he took on the name of Foster as he was so often called, “that foster kid,” in school as a boy. Due to his short stature and his relatively unliked species, Alan was constantly picked on, and never included in sporting events, often having to watch from the sidelines as the other boys played.
Military Service
By the time he was seventeen, Alan had been through seven foster homes and multiple orphanages, complaining of abuses in each, which led him to enlist in the Australian army at the age of seventeen, choosing the Signal Corps MOT as it would take him to Townsville, as far from Perth as he could get. He has since never returned to Perth, and has vowed not to.
Despite being only 5’3”, Foster excelled in boot camp, but was eventually considered too small for active infantry duty, and so he was put into the communications division, learning how to set up and maintain radio equipment. In a lucky break for Foster, a base DJ was bitten by a brown snake and had to go immediately to the hospital, leaving only Foster in the station. Not knowing much about music, Foster took to the mic and opened the sports page, of his daily newspaper, and immediately all his years of watching the other boys play paid off. Knowing the ins and outs of every game, he read off the sports news like a true broadcaster, and his unplanned broadcast was an immediate hit. From then on out, Foster gave the sports news every afternoon, until in 1991 he was deployed for a 90-day tour of duty in Iraq.
Service Under Fire
Again he would not see the front lines, manning a British radio center, and he maintained his focus on sports, now broadening his scope to include international games. It seemed like a cushy job until two weeks prior to his scheduled return to Australia, a small force attacked his camp with mortar and rocket fire. Foster immediately called for help, getting his request off shortly before the communications center was hit by a rocket. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his back, paw and shoulder, as well as bruising to his head, but managed to continue relaying commands and requests over the broken equipment as best he could, managing to hail a Canadian unit not too far away who came to their rescue. Remaining in the infirmary for the remainder of his tour, Foster was decorated by the British military with the Military Medal, for his bravery in the field and his actions under injury which resulted in the saving of British and Australian lives.
Upon returning to his native Australia, he was promoted from Lance-Corporal to Corporal, the highest rank he achieved in his military service, and was given duty in the radio booth once more.
Breaking Into the Business
After his four year service in the army, Foster knew that sports radio was his true calling, and he pursued jobs at every station in Townsville, finally landing an early morning gig at a small local station. While it did not reach many listeners, Foster’s chipper attitude in the morning was a welcome treat to his audience, and he gained a loyal fanbase. That fanbase eventually carried him to the afternoon shift, and finally to a syndicated news radio station where he was teamed with a partner for a sports news show. At this time, he also began writing columns for the newspaper, and conducted several interviews with major Australian players of the day, slowly becoming a local celebrity.
But his biggest break came in 1997 when while at a professional cricket match, long-time announcer Rip Dooley suffered a serious heart attack just after the opening pitch. Foster, in the pressbox near him, took to the mic without being asked, and announced the rest of the game in his stead. Fans listening on the radio were confused at first, but being familiar with Foster’s voice, and hearing his excitement and enthusiasm, no one complained. While he did receive a citation for announcing without a union license, no punishment was levied, and Foster was invited back after gaining his license so that he could announce games when Dooley was not feeling well. Eventually, however his radio schedule proved too demanding, and he was forced to relinquish his post as back-up announcer.
While his fame grew, Foster never lost sight of where he came from, nor could he forget the abuses he suffered as a child. Deciding that no child should have to go through what he did, he started a charity for orphaned, displaced, runaway and foster children, calling it “Foster’s Kids.” Using his minor celebrity status, as well as his own unfortunate story, the short dingo garnered fast support from the local community, and eventually the whole country. For his works, Foster was honored with the Order of Australia medal in 2003.
Frakes and Foster
Replacing Bussey
In the Spring of 2004, American radio station KLVT in Los Angeles had a problem. Its most popular show, Bussey and Frakes, was losing one half of its duo as longtime sportscaster Snyder Bussey was retiring, giving only one week’s notice. In a jam, the station reviewed thousands of applicants, but could not find anything to replace Bussey’s signature “whiskey-voice” sound. In a move that would change Foster’s life forever, an intern recommended the dingo, having heard him while on vacation the previous year. After listening through podcast versions of some of his shows, KLVT was hooked, and called the dingo on the spot, not realizing it was three in the morning in Townsville. A very groggy Foster answered the phone, and by nine o’clock, he was onboard a plane, headed for Los Angeles.
With his good nature and charming voice, Foster turned out to be the perfect foil for the brash, overbearing attitude of wolf co-host, Martin Frakes, and the Bussey and Frakes show was quickly eclipsed by the Frakes and Foster Morning Sports Report. In early shows, Frakes tried to ridicule Foster by testing his sports knowledge, but in an episode called the “Stay Down Under” challenge, Foster proved his worth by not only outscoring Frakes, but by even trumping the guest expert. Foster’s friendly attitude and meek demeanor won over his new American audience, and soon he was back to work writing newspaper columns and interviewing sports stars again.
A good OMEN
In late Autumn of 2010, the tension between Frakes and Foster was growing to a head, but no one expected Frakes to just up and leave, but that’s exactly what he did. Giving the station no notice, he quit, taking a solo show on a rival station, leaving only a note pinned to his chair for Foster to find in the morning. Worried about his own job, Foster carried on with the show as normal, delivering a polite jab to Frakes as he informed listeners about his co-host’s departure, then welcomed the morning’s guest, Santa Ana Spectrums head coach, Jackson Price.
The show went on as normally as possible until Price dropped a bombshell on Foster, offering him a new position – as the official announcer for the Spectrums. Ecstatic, and also worried about his current job’s longevity without a co-host, Foster accepted on the spot, though he finished out another week until the station could find suitable replacements for him, not wishing to leave them in the lurch as Frakes had.
Schooling
Alan Foster attended primary school through high school in the greater Perth public school system, and received specialty radio training in the Australian Army.
FBA Career
As announcer for the Spectrums, Foster’s lively voice, quaint accent and audible passion for the game has made him a hit among fans who originally thought that any form of an accent would be a hindrance in such a position. Unlike most announcers who watch from the booth above, Foster insisted on going old-school, manning the officials table at courtside while in Santa Ana, though he does use the pressbox at away games, always providing his own microphone.
Personal Life
After taking the position in Santa Ana, Foster moved there from Los Angeles. He states he is a confirmed bachelor, as the abuse he suffered as a child prevents him from being able to maintain a serious relationship. He drives a pale yellow, right-hand-drive 1963 Opel Kadett which he brought with him from Australia when moving to the United States, and he uses a Shure Unidyne SH55 microphone in all his broadcasts. He is always seen to be wearing a white, short-sleeved dress shirt, black necktie and a pair of khaki slacks.
Personal Information
| Name | Nickname | Species | Gender | Position | Height | Weight | Number | Birthplace or School | Pro Season # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Foster | N/A | Dingo | M | Announcer | 5’3” | 146 | N/A | Perth, Australia | 1 |