Dick Enberg, who was the voice of UCLA men’s basketball for more than a decade, was honored with a during a halftime ceremony at Pauley Pavilion on February 9, 2017. Enberg died Wednesday at 82 years old. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Enberg died Thursday night of an apparent heart attack. The man who narrated eight NCAA championship seasons in 12 years under John Wooden was 82 years old.
“The Bruin family is deeply saddened to hear of Dick Enberg’s passing,” UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. “Dick’s the voice that an entire generation of fans equates with UCLA men’s basketball. He was the storyteller behind so many of the greatest moments in our program’s history. He was a true legend who will be missed dearly. We send out deepest condolences to his wife, Barbara, and his entire family.”
Enberg’s illustrious career went on to include long runs with the Angels, Rams and San Diego Padres and jobs with CBS, ESPN and NBC. He called 28 Wimbledons, 3 Olympics, nine Rose Bowl games and iconic moments like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson facing off in the NCAA final and Houston ending UCLA’s 88-game unbeaten streak.
The media room in Pauley Pavilion is now named for the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster.
UCLA honored him with “Dick Enberg Night” before a game last year at Pauley Pavilion and he met briefly with the team:
Our program is so saddened to hear of Dick Enberg’s passing.
We will miss him dearly and will continue to cherish the countless memories that he left with our team & our university. pic.twitter.com/M2Ah33YX3R
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) December 22, 2017