John Ward, Longtime University Of Tennessee Football And Basketball Radio Voice, Dies At 88

Voice Stilled

JOHN WARD, the longtime UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE radio play-by-play broadcaster, died WEDNESDAY (6/20) after a long illness at 88.

WARD called VOLS football on the pioneering VOL NETWORK for 31 seasons through the 1998 national championship and men's basketball for 34 seasons, ending with the 1998-99 season.  He also covered sports events for ABC and ESPN.

UT Director of Athletics PHILIP FULMER said, "Our entire TENNESSEE family mourns the loss of the great JOHN WARD. The UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE has lost one of its most beloved ambassadors.

"For generations of VOL fans, JOHN's voice brought to life many of their fondest memories of TENNESSEE football and basketball. His visionary thinking paved the way for the VOL NETWORK's rise to prominence as the standard bearer for intercollegiate athletics marketing and broadcasting.

"Despite our shared sadness, I believe it is appropriate to proudly reflect on and cherish the fact that JOHN was ours. We will ensure that his legacy and memory are appropriately honored in the days, months and years to come."

Tennessee has lost its Voice. pic.twitter.com/ayqMRqH6wU

— Vol Network (@VolNetwork_IMG) June 21, 2018

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