'Voice of the Bobcats' Recognized for His 40-Plus Years of Service
By Molly McEnerney, Hailey Lloyd and Mason Anguiano, Cy-Fair HS
From touchdowns to timeouts, Butch Milks has said it all as the longtime stadium announcer for the Cy-Fair High School Bobcats football. It doesn’t matter if a spectator attended a game last week, last year or even last decade, it’s been all Milks for the past 43 years.
CFISD and the Cy-Fair community honored Milks on Sept. 1 during a surprise halftime ceremony as the Bobcats were facing Cypress Park High School at Pridgeon Stadium. As the spotlight was put on Milks and the spectators responded with a rousing standing ovation.
“It was a total surprise,” said Milks, a sales professional for Balfour All-American and longtime CFISD supporter. “I knew something was going on when I saw my grandson because he was supposed to be at [UT-San Antonio].”
Along with family, several other honored guests were on hand to honor Milks for this ceremony. Among them were Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent, and Ray Zepeda, UIL director of athletics and former CFISD athletic director.
Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD superintendent of schools, congratulates Butch Milks for his 43 years of service as the stadium announcer for Cy-Fair High School football. Milks was honored during a surprise halftime ceremony on Sept. 1 during the Bobcats’ game against Cypress Park High School. (Photo by Genna Hyde, Cy-Fair HS) He was presented with a commemorative football in addition to the ovation from the spectators.
“It means everything,” Milks said.
Milks’ announcing job started with a neighbor in need.
“My neighbor was Carlos Watkins, the former principal of Cy-Fair High School, and he needed an announcer for the program,” Milks said. “I thought I was just going to pinch-hit, and then 43 years later, I'm still here.”
Milks enjoys the football games and as the announcer, he has seen some great contests. Out of all the football he’s witnessed, Milks has one moment that really stands out.
It was Cy-Fair against rival Cypress Creek High School back in the 1980s.
“Cy-Fair was behind and Jeff Miller was the quarterback, and he was almost sacked on the final play of the game,” Milks said. “He ran that way, got away and threw it clear across the field to Todd Nelson for a touchdown, and Cy-Fair wins the ballgame. Biggest comeback in history!”
Miller, who made that spectacular throw, was on hand to honor Milks not just as a former player, but as Cy-Fair High School’s current head football coach and campus athletic director.
Butch Milks, a sales professional for Balfour All-American and long-time CFISD supporter, was honored for his 43 years of service as the Cy-Fair High School football stadium announcer during a halftime ceremony on Sept. 1. In attendance for the surprise were family and honored guests.(Photo by Jayden Escamilla, Cy-Fair HS) “Butch is one of the true men who serves others,” Miller said. “He is all about helping others and has made such an impact in our community.”
The announcing is just part of what has kept Milks around for decades, as he is very active in the Cy-Fair community.
“It's not just a job,” he said. “It's a passion of wanting to be around young people.”
With his work at Balfour All-American, Milks finds himself constantly caught up in the atmosphere of high school milestones like letterman jackets, graduation announcements and class rankings. In giving, he helps lead the charge of purchasing and donating letterman jackets for students, especially the Letters for Life program which provides jackets to LIFE Skills students.
Miller said Milks is truly the voice of the Bobcats and an integral part of the Cy-Fair community.
For Milks, he was doing his part to give back to the community.
“Everyone wants to feel like they're contributing in life,” Milks said. “I feel like I'm helping.”
Source: CFISD
