Bob Davis, the legendary "Voice of the Jayhawks" for more than 30 years, has passed away at the age of 80, his family announced Friday.
Davis, who began his KU career in 1984 and retired in 2016, was at the microphone for some of the most iconic moments in Kansas Athletics history.
"Bob Davis is synonymous with Kansas Athletics for generations of fans, who grew up listening to his calls of some of the most important moments in KU history," Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "Bob's love and passion of the Jayhawks shined through during the broadcast with his beloved radio partners. For more than three decades, Bob represented Kansas Athletics in exemplary fashion and connected Jayhawk fans everywhere with his famous one-liners and detailed storytelling.
"We send our deepest love and prayers to his family and will forever be grateful for his service to KU."
In the spring of 1984, Davis was hired as the "Voice of the Jayhawks" where he would work alongside Max Falkenstein in the broadcast booth. Davis' voice is the soundtrack of many of KU's most memorable games, as he called eight Jayhawk trips to the Final Four, six KU football bowl games, including the 2008 Orange Bowl, and thousands of regular season basketball and football games before his retirement in the spring of 2016.
"We lost a KU legend in Bob Davis, who was the voice of the Jayhawks for decades," Kansas Coach Bill Self said. "Bob was not only superior at his craft, but he was also a terrific, humble and unselfish person that gave so much of himself to so many. Our hearts go out to the entire family, especially with his wonderful wife Linda passing just last week."
Davis launched his legendary broadcast career in 1968 when Hired by KAYS in Hays, Kansas and began his broadcasting career during the summer of 1968 calling American Legion baseball. In addition to his KU role, Davis called the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four for CBS Radio six times in 1990, 1992 and 1994-97. Also, in 1997, Davis joined the Kansas City Royals as well, calling games for radio and television for the franchise for 16 years.
Davis earned numerous accolades for his work. He was named the Kansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association in 2015, marking the 14th time he had earned the honor since 1975. Davis was also named the two-time recipient of the Oscar Stauffer Sports Broadcasting Award by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) in 1975 and 1978.
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