The very definition of Distinguished Service would be the legendary career of Notre Dame Stadium public address announcer Mike Collins ’67, who served in the role for 39 years before retiring after the 2020 season. 

Collins spent 38 years as a reporter, producer, news director, and news anchor for both WNDU-TV and WSBT-TV in South Bend. His career as public-address announcer spanned 245 games at Notre Dame Stadium and Shamrock Series sites. Having worked two games at Yankee Stadium and one at Fenway Park, he is the only PA announcer to have worked both of those iconic venues.

His hallmark was competence and consistency.

“No matter who we play, no matter whether we’re having a good year or a so-so year, I always keep in mind there’s people in the stands that day, that it might be their first time at Notre Dame stadium, and they deserve the best effort I can give them,” Collins said. 

Collins crossed paths with anyone essential to Notre Dame game operations over four decades. In 2009, he combined with Sgt. Tim McCarthy of the Indiana State Police to publish a book, May I Have Your Attention Please… Wit & Wisdom From the Notre Dame Pressbox.

His favorite memory of his years at Notre Dame was the last time he ever saw former University president Fr. Ted Hesburgh before Fr. Ted’s death in 2015. The two developed a friendship in Hesburgh’s retirement. 

“The last time I saw him, he called me aside as I was leaving, and said, ‘Michael, I just want to thank you, not only for your years of service, but your lifelong dedication to Our Lady’s University,’” Collins said. “And literally, I was speechless.”

At Collins’ final game, on Dec. 5, 2020, he closed his post-game goodbye with the words of Father Hesburgh, “God, Country, Notre Dame.”