Longtime sportsman Dan Hicks has died at the age of 64, his wife, Hannah Storm, announced.
According to the family, Hicks was suffering from an “acute illness.”
“Our family is heartbroken by Dan’s sudden and unexpected passing from an acute illness,” Storm said in a statement. “He was a devoted husband for over 30 years, a loving father to our three daughters and a 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 with. When he walked into a room, he brought together energy, laughter and people. He was endlessly kind, caring 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 we will miss him.”
Hicks was one of the regular faces of NBC’s coverage of the PGA Tour, Notre Dame football and the Olympics since he joined the network in 1992. He also served as a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC from 1992 to 1998, as well as its NBA coverage in the 1990s.
“Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person,” Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon of NBC Sports said in a statement. “During his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and host of games and events that marked some of the greatest moments in sports history.
“From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame football, many other high-profile events and especially as the iconic voice of our golf coverage over the past 26 years, Dan’s blend of knowledge, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades. But far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who greeted his teammates with a smile, a joke or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence. Our sincere condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.”
Some of the most memorable moments in U.S. Olympic swimming and PGA Tour history were recalled by Hicks.
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Alongside broadcast partner Rowdy Gaines, Hicks was on the microphone during the U.S. men’s swimming team’s unforgettable comeback in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics.
Two months before that call in Beijing, Hicks was the soundtrack to an epic U.S. Open battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, which was highlighted by Woods sinking a 12-foot putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff.
“We are devastated by the sudden loss of Dan Hicks. For more than 25 years leading NBC’s golf coverage, Dan’s voice filled our living rooms with his constant narration of countless golf broadcasts, touching on some of the game’s greatest moments,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “The sound of his voice is ingrained in our memories of the match, and the warmth he brought to the broadcast was matched only by the kindness he showed those around him. Our hearts go out to Dan’s family, his wife Hannah and his friends, as well as our NBC Sports family. On behalf of everyone on the PGA Tour, we share their grief as we mourn someone who meant so much to this match.”
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