Dan Hicks, longtime NBC sportscaster, dies at 64

Dan Hicks, a prominent play-by-play voice for NBC Sports for more than 30 years, died Wednesday at age 64, his wife Hannah Storm said in a statement Thursday. Storm, a longtime "SportsCenter" anchor married to Hicks since 1994, described his death as "sudden and unexpected" following an acute illness. She did not say where he died. "Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around," Storm wrote. "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." The PGA Tour called Hicks' work with commentator Johnny Miller "one of golf television's defining broadcast partnerships." NBC News said Hicks was "an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history."

Hicks joined NBC in 1992 after a short stint with CNN. He served as play-by-play commentator for Notre Dame football, contributed to NFL coverage, was a sideline reporter on "NBA on NBC," and played a key role in the network's golf and Olympics coverage. He called eight consecutive Summer Games since 1996 and five Winter Games covering speed skating and alpine skiing. Among his most memorable calls was the U.S. comeback in the 4x100 freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Games, which secured Michael Phelps' eighth gold medal. "Here comes Lezak!" Hicks yelled. "Unbelievable at the end! He's done it!" On the course, his famous call came when Tiger Woods sank a 12-foot putt to force a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open: "Expect anything different?" Hicks calmly voiced after waiting for the Torrey Pines crowd to erupt. He became NBC's lead play-by-play golf announcer in 2000 and called Rory McIlroy's runaway wins, the Miracle at Medinah, Bryson vs. Rory at Pinehurst, and J.J. Spaun's 64-foot birdie win at Oakmont a year ago. Longtime broadcaster Jimmy Roberts calls Hicks the best to ever do it. Roger Maltbie said Thursday on the network, "This is not losing a colleague and a nice guy, this is losing a pal."

Hicks was due to call Notre Dame's game Saturday against Boston College, according to an NBC schedule released earlier this week. Jason Benetti will call the weekend's Notre Dame game after Hicks' death, The Detroit News reported. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman opened his press conference by honoring Hicks: "He was a great husband, father and man." Tiger Woods posted a statement on X Friday calling Hicks "a great friend to me both on and off the course" and saying his thoughts "are with Hannah and their daughters during this incredibly difficult time." Al Michaels got choked up during a tribute to Hicks on Thursday Night Football. Craig Melvin broke down on air while announcing the death. Colleagues including Mike Tirico, Scott Van Pelt, Laura Rutledge, and Jack Nicklaus also paid tribute.