KENTWOOD, Mich. — Malik Baker might sound like your average high school football announcer, but not if you listen closely.
For every East Kentwood football game, Baker's play-by-play is also meant to serve as test prep for the students. Baker, who is also a physical education and health teacher, says he tries to work in at least a dozen or so 'challenge words' into every game.
The words are chosen specifically by teachers at the school as being good to know in preparation for taking tests like the ACTs.
"It started probably about eight or nine years ago, giving them some challenge words, and it kind of started as a blunder," Baker said.
But that accident managed to get everyone's attention and quickly turned into a tradition.
"It's a lot of fun and the kids help me by what they do on the field," he said.
Some of the words Baker includes range from terms like 'intermittent' to his most recent favorite, 'lugubrious,' and he admits it's even helping him learn a bit along the way too.
"I hadn't even heard of lugubrious before two weeks ago," he said smiling. "I love it which makes a difference when you're doing something you love to do."
