Legendary Penn State Broadcaster Fran Fisher Passes Away At 91
Fran Fisher, the former radio voice of the Nittany Lions, passed away this morning at the age of 91. Fisher was on the call for some of Penn State’s most iconic football moments, including its 1983 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl which gave Penn State its first ever National Championship. Fisher will forever be remembered as the man that gave the Nittany Lions a voice during the golden years of the Joe Paterno Era.
I lost my hero, mentor and the greatest man I have ever known this morning! Rest in peace Pop, the true Mr. Penn State.
— Jerry Fisher (@JerryFisherPSU) May 14, 2015
Sad to hear abt passing of my friend Fran Fisher. His passion for PSU tradition & excellence will continue to inspire pic.twitter.com/6rXr4nNyit
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) May 14, 2015
Born on Sept. 23, 1923, the child who used to pretend to broadcast Pittsburgh Pirates games grew up to fulfill his dream, only instead of working in Pittsburgh, Happy Valley became his new home. It was there in 1966 that Fisher first became affiliated with Penn State athletics, serving as the Penn State Football Radio Network’s color commentator. Prior to assuming his position at Penn State, Fisher conducted live broadcasts of Greensburg High School sports in Greensburg, Pa., starting with WHJB in 1952. He then moved on to WKVA in Lewistown, where he covered sports from 1962-1968.
His big break with the Penn State Football Radio Network came in 1970, when he took over the position of the team’s play-by-play voice. Fisher was a natural storyteller, and instilled life and passion into his broadcasts as he covered some of Penn State’s greatest moments on the gridiron. He held his role in the radio booth until 1983, moving on to serve the university in a variety of ways, one of which included the school’s Assistant Athletic Director. Among his many accomplishments, Fisher served as the chief of the team that developed the now iconic Penn State logo.
A man of character and charisma, he will be missed by all that heard his voice resonate through the room on Saturdays. Although he may be physically gone, his legend will live on forever.
Rest in peace, Fran Fisher.
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