Hays Post
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Bob Davis, the legendary play by play voice of the Fort Hays State Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks, has passed away at the age of 80, his family announced Friday.
Davis is survived by his son, Steven, daughter-in-law Katie and grandchildren Landon, Will, Millie and Hattie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, who died March 13, 2025, in Lawrence. Bob and Linda were married for 53 years. Bob passed away Thursday, March 20th.
A 48-year veteran of broadcasting in the state of Kansas, Davis was born in Iola, and grew up in Topeka where he graduated from Topeka West High School in 1962. Davis stayed in Topeka to attend Washburn, where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in history. Davis launched his legendary broadcast career the following year in 1968 when hired by KAYS and began his broadcasting career during the summer of 1968 calling American Legion baseball. He was the play-by-play voice of the Fort Hays State Tigers until 1984, his tenure culminating by calling the 1984 NAIA National Championship won by the FHSU men's basketball team.
Davis took over the KU play-by-play duties in 1984 until his retirement in 2016. He was on the call for the Jayhawks men's basketball national titles in 1988 and 2008 as well as the Jayhawks Orange Bowl victory in 2008.
In addition to FHSU and KU, Davis called the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four for CBS Radio six times in 1990, 1992 and 1994-97. Also, in 1997, Davis joined the Kansas City Royals, calling games for radio and television for 16 years.
Davis earned numerous accolades for his work. He was named the Kansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association 14 times, the last coming in 2015.. Davis was also named the two-time recipient of the Oscar Stauffer Sports Broadcasting Award by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) in 1975 and 1978.
Davis was named to several Hall of Fames including:
• Fort Hays State Athletics Hall of Fame (1990)
• Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2006)
• Topeka West HS Graduates Hall of Fame (2011)
• Topeka-Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame (2016)
• Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2016)
• Hays HS Athletics Hall of Fame (2024)