At just 12 years old and with only 10 games behind the microphone, Athens Intermediate School student Brooks Givens can already call himself an award-winning announcer.

Officials with Athens Parks and Recreation Department announced Givens as the winner of its Announcer of the Year award during Brooks’ P.E. class Monday.

“He’s done an absolutely wonderful job,” said Chad Vining, recreation supervisor for Athens Parks and Recreation. “… Everybody wants him to announce their games.”

Stacey Givens, Brooks’ mother, said announcing the games was a way for her son, who has autism, to connect with his friends and participate in a sport he loves.

“They invited him to announce one game, and the crowd responded so well and Brooks enjoyed it so much that they asked him to come back and do others,” Stacey Givens said. “He’s been a regular on Monday nights.”

Brooks announced two games each Monday during the 2019 spring baseball season for the 11–12 league.

“The longest game was the Orioles and the Brewers,” he said. “That game went on almost all night. I was like, ‘This is ridiculous.’”

But he loves the sport and announcing. His favorite baseball team is the Atlanta Braves, so he was particularly pleased when Braves announcer Chip Caray sent a video congratulating him on the award.

Caray said he was happy Brooks was finding his voice and passion behind the microphone.

“It’s a lot of fun to do,” he said. “… Hopefully, some day, you can step behind the mic and do one of the Braves games.”

Brooks said he “got a little blushed” when he watched the video and feels really good about winning the award.