Dan Hicks obit

Dan Hicks, longtime NBC sportscaster, dies at 64

 

He was not on the list.

Longtime sportscaster Dan Hicks has died at the age of 64, it was announced by his wife, Hannah Storm.

According to the family, Hicks had been dealing with an "acute illness."

"Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness," Storm said in a statement. "He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.

"Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought the energy, the laughter and the people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.

"Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. There are simply no words to express how much he will be missed."

Hicks had been one of the regular faces on NBC's coverage of the PGA Tour, Notre Dame football and the Olympics since joining the network in 1992. He also was a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC from 1992 to 1998, as well as its NBA coverage in the 1990s.

"Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person," NBC Sports' Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon said in a statement. "In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.

"From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame Football, numerous other high-profile events and especially as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan's blend of knowledge style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades. But far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence. Our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley."

Some of the most memorable moments in U.S. Olympic swimming and PGA Tour history were called by Hicks.

Along with broadcasting partner Rowdy Gaines, Hicks was on the mic for the unforgettable comeback by the U.S. men's swimming team in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics.

Two months before that call in Beijing, Hicks was the soundtrack to an epic U.S. Open battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, which was highlighted by Woods sinking a 12-foot putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff.

"We are devastated by the sudden loss of Dan Hicks. For more than 25 years leading NBC golf coverage, Dan's voice filled our living rooms with his steady narration of countless golf broadcasts, calling some of the game's biggest moments," the PGA Tour said in a statement. "The sound of his voice is woven into our memories of the game, and the warmth he brought to the broadcast was matched only by the kindness he showed those around him. Our hearts are with Dan's family, his wife Hannah, and friends, and with our family at NBC Sports. On behalf of everyone at the PGA Tour, we share their sorrow as we mourn someone who meant so much to this game."

Hicks worked 16 Olympics and won a Sports Emmy as part of NBC's coverage of the 2024 Games from Paris.