Ohio State sports PA voice Bob Kennedy dies at 59

Legenday PA voice Bob Kennedy has passed away after working as the voice of Ohio State sports for 23 years. The Ohio State Department of Athletics shared the tragic news today of his sudden death over the weekend.

Kennedy was scheduled to announce Sunday’s baseball game against Illinois, and did not arrive at the stadium. Ohio State contacted authorities to perform a wellness check at his home, where officials were then informed that Kennedy had passed away in his home.

Ohio State’s Bob Kennedy passes away at 59

“Bob had a big heart and he loved his Buckeyes,” said Jerry Emig, Associate AD for Communications. “And, he loved his PA jobs. He was a true professional at his craft and a friend to us all. He knew our coaches and student-athletes and he certainly knew the histories well of many Ohio State sports, and he loved to talk about them.”

Kennedy was most known for his work as the PA voice for the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium — a position he held for the past 20 years. He also worked at various Ohio State games and events for baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey and women’s hockey games.

Kennedy had previously been a PA announcer for his alma mater as well, Otterbein University. He graduated Otterbein with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. He also worked for the Columbus Clippers, a minor league baseball team.

“My voice has always carried, from the day I was born. I mean, you could probably hear me in New Albany and Hilliard without using a microphone,” Kennedy said of his career in a tribute video shared last fall.