Dan Hicks, the longtime sportscaster best known for his work covering golf and the Olympics, has passed away at the age of 64.
Hicks had been the lead announcer for NBC’s golf coverage since 2000 and the stroke-by-stroke announcer for Olympic swimming since the 1996 Games held in Atlanta, Georgia, and was responsible for one of the most memorable calls in Olympic history while on the mic for Team USA’s comeback victory in the men’s 4×100 freestyle involving Michael Phelps during the 2008 Games.
Hannah Storm, Hicks’ wife and well-known ESPN anchor, shared the tragic news about Hicks’ passing on Thursday morning.
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“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm’s statement began. “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.”
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With Hicks being the lead voice of NBC and Golf Channel’s coverage for the last 26 years, he is, in many respects, the voice of the sport for an entire generation of fans. Among his countless memorable moments in the golf broadcasting booth came during the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, when Tiger Woods made a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff against Rocco Mediate.
Hicks letting the monumental moment breathe before hitting fans with the question of “Expect anything different?” will live on forever.
Hicks, a University of Arizona graduate, began his broadcasting career in radio before becoming a sports reporter for CNN in 1989 and eventually moving to NBC Sports in 1992.
Hicks is survived by his wife, Hannah, whom he married in 1994, and their three daughters, Hannah, Ellery, and Riley.