Dan Hicks, the longtime NBC Sports broadcaster whose voice grew to become familiar to millions of golf, Olympics and college football fans, has died suddenly at the age of 64.
His wife, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, announced the heartbreaking news on Thursday, November 12, revealing that he had passed away following what she described as an “acute illness.”
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan,” she wrote on X. Hannah described Dan as a devoted husband of more than 30 years, a loving father to their three daughters, and a cherished friend to so many. “His loss is immeasurable,” she added.
According to CBS News, Hicks died late Wednesday in Connecticut. At the time of writing, his family hasn’t shared any further details about the aforementioned illness.
Hicks, a native of Tucson, Arizona, started his career as a sports anchor at CNN in 1989 and joined NBC Sports in 1992. He went on to cover 16 Olympic Games, from Barcelona in 1992 to the Milan Cortina Winter Games earlier this year. He won a Sports Emmy for his work at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Since 2000, he had been NBC’s lead play-by-play voice for its PGA Tour coverage, calling events like the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the Ryder Cup. He was also the voice of Notre Dame football, and was in his seventh season calling the Fighting Irish’s games.
In a joint statement, NBC Sports leaders described him as an exceptional storyteller who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history. They added that he always welcomed colleagues with a smile, a joke or a word of encouragement.
“Dan Hicks was 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,” NBC announced.
“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.
“But far beyond his on-air excellence, 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. Our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.”
His death comes at an especially painful time for his family. According to Yahoo Sports, it was less than two weeks after Storm revealed she was recovering from a second cancer diagnosis.
The couple married in January 1994. Hicks is survived by Storm and their daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley. Rest in peace, Dan. Our thoughts are with Hannah and her daughters.
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