“The Voice” of the Duke Blue Devils for 41 years passed away at 81-years-old Wednesday.
The legendary Duke announcer worked all five national championships for Duke basketball as well as 471 consecutive Duke football games.
“The Voice” of the Duke Blue Devils was retired
“The Voice” of the Duke Blue Devils, Bob Harris, was retired for nearly a decade before passing away. Harris was synonymous with Duke sports for over four decades before calling it quits in 2017.
On top of the five national championships and 471 consecutive football games, Harris called a staggering 1,392 Duke basketball games.
Harris was around for the majority of legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyewski’s tenure. Harris played an integral role in building the blue-blood brand that Duke has built for itself.
Duke Blue Devils legend Mike Krzyzewski made a statement upon hearing the news of the passing of Bob Harris
Upon hearing of the news that Bob Harris passed away, legendary Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski made a statement in an article from Awful Announcing expressing the honor it was to know Harris.
“Duke lost another one of its greatest treasures with the passing of Bob Harris,” said former Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. “For decades as our radio play-by-play broadcaster, Bob told the story of Duke Athletics better than anyone. He was much more than an announcer to all of us. He was a family member who absolutely loved Duke and everything it stands for. We are so thankful that it was his voice that shared our journey each season with so many Duke fans around the world. He was adored by so many of them. The Krzyzewski family offers our deepest condolences to Phyllis and their loved ones. It was my honor to call Bob my friend.”
On top of the statement from Krzyzewki, Duke athletic director Nina King also made a statement regarding the passing of Harris.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Harris,” said Duke Vice President & Director of Athletics Nina King. “We send our heartfelt condolences to Phyllis and the entire Harris family. Duke, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the entire collegiate athletics community has lost a true icon. For over four decades, Bob represented Duke with the utmost professionalism while delivering to our fans worldwide an acute account of Blue Devil football and men’s basketball games. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live forever.”
Fan support for legendary Duke announcer Bob Harris poured out on social media
The news of the passing of Harris quickly reached the public and fans took to social media to explain how Harris impacted their relationship with Duke athletics.
Some posted the iconic calls of Harris while exclaiming that some Duke memories would not live on in the same way without such a legendary announcer.
The most iconic call of Bob Harris’ career pic.twitter.com/xtPMFadr9g
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) June 12, 2024
So many Duke memories wouldn’t be the same without the legendary Bob Harris.
His legacy will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/R872r8vSjt
— Duke Athletics (@DukeATHLETICS) June 12, 2024
🙏🏻 to the family & many friends of legendary @DukeFOOTBALL & @DukeMBB voice Bob Harris. The soundtrack of 5 @MarchMadnessMBB titles and countless @accmbb moments. A kind & welcoming friend to so many in our industry. God bless you for job well done. pic.twitter.com/QBUEGSTgXg
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) June 12, 2024
The great Bob Harris was my first broadcast partner back in 1993, doing Duke radio games in the Capitol Sports Network. He was a wonderful mentor, friend and a true pro. Nobody loved his job more. So sad to learn of his passing. RIP to a Duke legend. pic.twitter.com/iw2U2UNSXp
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) June 12, 2024
RIP, long-time Duke radio great Bob Harris. My condolences to his family and many friends. There was a day when, under Coach K, Duke fans had to listen to the radio for team coverage, and Bob was the man. pic.twitter.com/ue5XRGKMGU
— Blue Devil Nation (@BlueDevilNation) June 12, 2024
Harris was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before he died resulting in a GoFundMe account being set up to help with medical costs. The account raised over $100,000.
“Phyllis and the entire Harris family thank you for your love and support,” Duke color analyst Wes Chesson wrote. “Your financial support has significantly eased the monetary strain on Bob’s family and knowing that 565 people care about and love Bob enough to take the time and be willing to contribute to Bob’s support has made all the difference.”
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