March 1 - Ferndale Public Schools

Board of Ed approved
Resolution for Joe Mahan
The Board of Education approved a special
resolution for Joe Mahan for his 65 years of
service as the “Voice of the Eagles” during FHS
athletic events. The Scoring Table at the FHS
gym was also named in his honor.
FHS Athletic Director Shaun Butler, organized
a recognition ceremony for Mr. Mahan during
halftime of the Feb. 15 Boys Varsity Basketball
game. Mr. Mahan’s family was there for the
presentation and retired FHS principal Herb
Ivory, Superintendent Gary Meier, and Butler
each spoke about his years of dedication and
service to Ferndale Schools and the community.
Ferndale Schools honors
Joe Mahan
“The Voice of the Eagles”
Joe Mahan, known locally as the Voice of the Eagles, has been the public address announcer for
Ferndale athletic events since 1947 and has been honored for his distinguished 65-year career.
Accolades include the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association with their
2002 Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Mahan, a 1944 graduate of Ferndale’s Lincoln High School,
also supervised the summer baseball program for 25 years, and served as a charter member of the
Ferndale Sports Booster Club. He has been honored twice with recognition on Ferndale High School’s
Wall of Honor for his years of dedicated service. He retired from the Detroit Public Schools in 1989 after
a 38-year career as a teacher, counselor, and principal. He and his wife Barbara are renowned for their
gardens and plantings that beautify the community near their home and in Roosevelt-Geary Park.
Because of his dedication to our students, Ferndale High School’s Hansen Stadium press was named in
his honor in 2005: The Joe Mahan Press Box – Home of the Voice of the Eagles.
We are so fortunate Joe and
Barbara Mahan chose
Ferndale to be their community.
Not only has Joe been our
legendary announcer, but with
Barbara by his side, they have
served our neighborhoods and
our students for many years. It is
fitting that after a life of creating
unique opportunities to honor
and recognize others, Joe is being
honored in turn for his legacy by
the Ferndale Schools. I personally
extend my appreciation to Joe
and Barbara Mahan for their service
to students and our district.
— Gary Meier
Ferndale Public Schools
Superintendent
Thank you Joe (and Barbara)
Mahan for everything you have
done for Ferndale Athletics,
student/athletes, and the entire
Ferndale Community, in general.
It was a pleasure to work as clock
operator, at your scorer’s table for
so many years at FHS JV/V home
contests. I learned a lot (quickly)
and you made sure of that! Your
honor of receiving the prestigious
MIAAA Forsythe Award for
Distinguished Service was welldeserved.
What a career! Thank
you and best of luck, Joe and the
Mahan clan.
— Robert Francis
FMS Assistant Principal
Joe Mahan is synonymous with
Ferndale Basketball. There is not
an official, opposing coach or
true fan who has not enjoyed a
positive experience in their time
with Joe. He and his wife Barb
were incredibly selfless in their
support for Ferndale High School
and the athletic department.
The legendary status that Joe
has achieved is well-earned and
he will never be forgotten as,
“The Voice of the Eagles.”
— Shaun Butler
District Athletic Director
www.ferndaleschools.org Like the Ferndale Schools on Follow us on Twitter! @FerndaleSchools
Facebook!