By Doug Binder for ArmoryTrack

The Armory honored Mike Rauh on Tuesday night at the Eastern States Championships for his 16 years of dedicated service to the announcing crew.

Rauh, who still has a couple dates left on his calendar, has been one of the pillars of

The Armory's tireless announcing team. His voice has become a familiar soundtrack to meets at The Armory, along with Ian Brooks and Dennis Kornfield. Although he hasn't ruled out announcing occasionally, he and his wife Judy expect to spend more time in the Caribbean Islands during the winter.

Rauh had announced a few outdoor meets in Westchester County and was doing a Fifth Avenue Mile one year when he caught the ear of fellow City Island resident, Dr. Norbert Sander.

"He said to me, you did pretty good, why don't you come up to The Armory?" Rauh recalled. 

Sander, the Armory's President and CEO, was looking for another voice for the world's busiest indoor track.

"It started very low-key," Rauh said. "I think my first meet was a Catholic high school relays. It took 3-4 years before I was doing college meets on Friday, come back Saturday for a youth meet 6-8 hours, then Sunday a high school meet and then Thursday Night at the Races."

Rauh has also served as the Press Steward since the NYRR Millrose Games was moved out of Madison Square Garden and relocated at uptown at The Armory, and also the Armory Track Invitational.

Steady and reliable at the microphone, Rauh offered spectators at The Armory a pleasant, informed voice that never wavered or failed to bring enthusiasm.

"Mike Rauh is a true distance man at the mic," Dr. Sander said. "Long hours announcing race after race, but giving in his most generous way a moment in the sun for every athlete, young or old ,fast or not so fast, with his consistent attention to detail makes him one of a kind.

"Track announcing takes real endurance and Mike gives it his all."