Nearly 11 years ago, Klahnie resident Bill Foote received a phone call that changed his life forever.

The year was 2007 and the Issaquah Eagles needed someone to announce a high school basketball game that was taking place that evening in just 90 minutes.

“I got the call at 6 p.m. and the game started at 7:30 p.m.,” Foote said.

Foote, who had no previous experience as an announcer, jumped at the chance to contribute to the Issaquah sports community.

“I totally winged it,” Foote said.

In the past decade, Foote has regularly announced girls basketball, boys basketball, girls soccer and football games for the Eagles sports programs. In addition, Foote said he announces at least three wrestling matches per year.

“I enjoy girls and boys basketball the most because I’m so close to the court. It is fast and there is constant baskets,” Foote said.

One of the most memorable moments since 2007 for Foote was watching the Eagles girls soccer team win a Class 4A state championship last season. While Foote wasn’t able to announce the semifinals and state championship match at Sparks Stadium (state title sites have their own announcers), he was in the stands rooting on the Eagles.

“That was special. I watched them all the way to the championship game in Puyallup,” Foote said.

Foote, who lives in Klahnie, said all three of his children graduated from Issaquah High School. For the past 25 years, Foote has been involved with various aspects of the Eagles high school football program.

“I started right here underneath these bleachers 25 years ago serving hot dogs,” Foote said with a smile. “I will continue to announce for as long as I can. It is a fun gig.”

While Foote isn’t easily recognized when he is out and about in Issaquah, his voice sometimes causes people to do a double take and question him while he is at the supermarket.

“My face is not recognized, my voice is recognized though,” Foote said. “The sports parents are so great. This is a close knit community.”