Those attending Mercer Island basketball games this season may have noticed a new voice behind the public address mic.

That voice would be Islander Aaron Kornblum, nicknamed “The Voice,” who is wrapping up his first season announcing Mercer Island home basketball games.

Kornblum, a Mercer Island resident since 2005, has announced prep, college and semi-professional sports for over 25 years.

“It’s the best seat in the house,” said Kornblum, who holds a certification from the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers. “It’s right on the floor, close to the action. It’s a great way to stay connected with sports and share the strategy of sports with my kids.”

Kornblum began announcing at West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Va., where he announced basketball and soccer. He continued his announcing career in college, doing basketball, ice hockey, volleyball and soccer as a student at Princeton University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In Wisconsin, Kornblum also announced minor league hockey games for the now-defunct Madison Monsters at the Dane County Coliseum. He recalled facilitating sponsor promotions involving t-shirt cannons and indoor blimps, and even a fan marriage proposal.

“That made for interesting games, more interesting than your average event,” he said.

Doing public address isn’t Kornblum’s first gig on the Island; he’s also served as emcee at M.I. Little League Opening Day and as an auctioneer at fundraisers for Sunnybeam Preschool. Kornblum has also worked the Obliteride cancer research fundraiser in Seattle.

Kornblum says he usually gets his gigs through his kids, and he tries to focus on things that are important to him and his family. He said his son Spencer is a big help during games and serves as his spotter.

“He helps with substitutions and seeing how coaches apply strategy to the game,” Kornblum said. “You learn more than you might in the stands. It’s a great way to share sports with family.”

When not behind the mic, Kornblum works as a program manager at Microsoft. An ROTC graduate, Kornblum served on active military duty as an Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG) Corps trial prosecutor. He was also named to the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40″ list for 2010, while serving as president of the board of directors for the Museum of History and Industry.