Come Sept. 7, there will be a new man behind the microphone at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Ryan Howlett, whose association with South Dakota State University dates back 30 years, has been selected as the next public address announcer for Jackrabbit football games.

“SDSU is home to me and I’m really excited to be back as part of the team,” said Howlett, a Watertown native who graduated in 1998 and later served roles with the SDSU Alumni Association (1998-2003) and SDSU Foundation (2007-12). He currently works as the CEO of Friends of SDPB — the fundraising arm of South Dakota Public Broadcasting — and is based in Sioux Falls.

It was during his stint at the Alumni Association that Howlett first had the opportunity to delve into being a public address announcer for Jackrabbit Athletics. As he began working across campus, star volleyball player Roxie Rath was an intern for the Alumni Association and encouraged Howlett to seek out the open PA position for the up-and-coming program after the previous announcer moved on. Turns out that Rath was impressed with Howlett’s way of announcing her presence to the rest of the staff.

“It was great. It fulfilled a dream,” Howlett said of announcing volleyball from 1998-2003. He would later add PA duties for wrestling and filled in on occasion for some basketball games.

Now that dream will continue on Saturdays in the fall in front of crowds that regularly fill the Jackrabbits’ 19,340-seat stadium.

Howlett moves into the chair occupied by Tom Manzer for the last 44 years.

“Tom has been a longtime friend and mentor,” Howlett said, noting Manzer’s involvement with the board overseeing Friends of SDPB. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to follow in his footsteps.”

While Howlett will have the opportunity to put his own stamp on the gameday experience, some long-standing elements will remain — most notably, the signature introduction for Pride of the Dakotas marching band performances.

“Dr. (Kevin) Kessler has said ‘The Pride is Back’ will remain a part of the games, so we are working out how that will sound,” Howlett said.

His preparation for his football debut also is focused on ways to ensure the Jackrabbits maintain their home-crowd advantage.

“This job is about making sure the fans and the players have a great experience,” Howlett said. “I’m happy to carry forward a tradition of champions. Let’s get another title!”