Dan Hicks, who became a broadcasting legend over his 34 years at NBC Sports, died on Wednesday, November 11. He was 64.
Hicks’ wife, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, announced that he died of “an acute illness.”
“He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many,” Storm, also 64, shared via Instagram on Thursday, November 12. “His loss is immeasurable.”
Hicks and Storm share daughters Hannah, 29, Ellery, 28, and Riley, 25.
“Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around,” Storm continued. “When he walked into the 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.”
Storm concluded, “There are simply no words to express how much he will be missed.”
Hannah Storm, Dan HIcks Courtesy of Hannah Storm/Instagram
NBC Sports released a statement about Hicks on Thursday, calling him “an extraordinary colleague, friend and person.”
“In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history,” the network said. “From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame football, numerous other high profile events and especially as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan’s blend of knowledge, style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades.”
Dan Hicks Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
The statement noted, “Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence.”
The PGA Tour also shared a message honoring Hicks, who “provided the soundtrack to some of golf’s most memorable moments.”
Former Seattle Mariners infielder Dave Edler was badly injured and his wife, Susan, was killed in an accident involving a suspected drunk driver on Sunday, November 8. Dave, 70, told police that the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup truck came into the lane of the Edlers’ Ford Bronco Sport in Yakima, Washington, around 4:30 […]
“The Arizona native joined NBC in 1992 and assumed the network’s lead play-by-play role in 2000, his broadcast style defined by a steady delivery, unmistakable enthusiasm, and ability to capture the significance of a moment,” the statement read. “Hicks anchored weekend coverage of The Players Championship for nearly three decades and was behind the microphone for the evolution of the FedExCup, in addition to several major championships, bringing his composed approach to golf’s biggest stages.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, meanwhile, said Hicks’ death was “sudden” and expressed condolences to Storm and her girls.
“Hannah is a cherished member of the ESPN family, and our hearts are with her, their three daughters, and all who knew and loved Dan, including his NBC colleagues, during this incredibly difficult time,” Pitaro, 57, said.
