BONNERS FERRY — Sitting in the middle of the stands, it is easy to miss him during basketball games. And while Mike Cowley is often the loudest person in the gym as he holds a microphone, his voice becomes a kind of background guide, leading spectators through the action. 

Cowley worked at Bonners Ferry High School for 30 years as a math teacher before retiring in 2023. 

He played football and basketball and competed in track and field while growing up. Today, he runs the scoreboard at football games and serves as the public address announcer for Badgers basketball — a role he said he is the first to hold. Like many in the community, Bonners Ferry is the place he has called home for most of his life.

During his teaching career, Cowley coached football as well as boys and girls basketball. 

“I love basketball,” Cowley said. “That’s my favorite sport, and that’s what I grew up loving. I love teaching it. The best way to become a coach is to be a teacher, so that’s what led me to teaching.” 

“I think that God was leading me in that direction anyway, and he was just kind of using sports to get me there,” he said. “I figured out that teaching can be a calling.” 

Early in his career, Cowley coached both football and basketball, a demanding time commitment. 

“I coached football and basketball when I first started teaching here,” Cowley said. “They don’t exactly overlap, but they’re about a week apart. My wife wasn’t terribly happy that for seven months I was staying two extra hours after school every day, so I decided to pick one, and I chose basketball.” 

After he stopped coaching football, Cowley took an opportunity to work as the football scoreboard operator, a position he has held for the past 25 years. He works with announcer Lee Pinkerton and a spotter to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

“It’s hard as an announcer to watch exactly what’s going on because you’ve got to say who carried the ball and who made the tackle,” Cowley said. “All three of us work together, and that works really well. If I see something and it isn’t interrupting my job, I can point it out.” 

Cowley said pressure-filled moments do not negatively affect him, though he remains aware of their importance. 

“I don’t necessarily get nervous, but I do intentionally make sure I’m focused, especially if it’s close to the end of the game,” he said.

Though Cowley handles the PA duties for Badgers basketball, he was quick to praise someone else’s voice. 

“I never thought I had that great of a voice,” Cowley said. “Actually, our athletic director, (Curt Bayer), has a way better voice than I do. His voice is clear and easy to hear.” 

Since retiring from teaching, Cowley said he enjoys the roles he performs in the community. 

“At this point in my life, it’s the perfect thing to do,” he said. “It’s not hours and hours of preparation. I just show up and do it.” 

Cowley also spoke about the importance of sports in small communities like Boundary County. 

“It’s really important,” Cowley said. “I think it has a little more importance than Coeur d’Alene. They have a lot of fans, but there are thousands of people there who don’t even know what’s going on. There’s a lot more connection here.” 

When asked about his favorite Bonners Ferry sports memory, Cowley recalled an unexpected postseason run. 

“Back in 2001, I was a JV coach for the boys, and the varsity coach had to step away,” Cowley said. “I became the varsity coach for basketball, and we ended up making it to state somewhat unexpectedly.” 

The following year, the team won a trophy at the state tournament. 

A humble man, Cowley emphasized that he does not take on these roles for recognition. 

“I’m doing it to serve the community and the school,” Cowley said. “I loved high school, and the teachers and everybody were great to me. I’m just trying to pay it forward.”