SAD NEWS: Bob Harris, Legendary Voice of Duke Athletics, Passes Away at 81
DURHAM, N.C. — Bob Harris, the iconic radio play-by-play announcer for Duke University’s football and men’s basketball teams, has passed away at the age of 81. Harris, affectionately known as the “Voice of the Blue Devils,” dedicated 41 years to broadcasting Duke athletics, leaving an indelible mark on the university and its sports community. citeturn0search1
A Storied Career
Harris began his tenure with Duke in 1976, calling his first football game that season. Over the next four decades, he broadcasted 1,392 men’s basketball games and 471 consecutive football games, including six bowl games and a trip to the 2013 ACC Championship. His tenure featured 13 NCAA Final Fours and all five of Duke’s NCAA men’s basketball championships: 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015. citeturn0search1
Tributes from the Duke Community
Former Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the news. He described Harris as “much more than an announcer” and a “family member who absolutely loved Duke and everything it stands for.” Krzyzewski added, “We are so thankful that it was his voice that shared our journey each season with so many Duke fans around the world.” citeturn0search1
Duke University Athletics Director Nina King also paid tribute, stating, “Duke lost another one of its greatest treasures with the passing of Bob Harris.” She highlighted Harris’s professionalism and his ability to deliver compelling accounts of Blue Devil football and basketball games to fans worldwide. citeturn0search1
Honors and Legacy
Throughout his illustrious career, Harris received numerous accolades, including three North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year awards and induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his exemplary service to the state and its communities. citeturn0search1
In lieu of flowers, the Harris family has requested donations in Bob’s memory to Duke HomeCare & Hospice at Hock Family Pavilion. citeturn0search1
A memorial service celebrating Harris’s life and contributions to Duke athletics will be held at Duke University Chapel on Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. The service will feature guest speakers, including Coach Krzyzewski and former Duke broadcaster Wes Chesson. citeturn0search1
Bob Harris’s voice may have been silenced, but his legacy will continue to resonate within the Duke community and beyond. His passion for sports and dedication to storytelling have left an enduring imprint on collegiate athletics.