Colorado University Athletics
Irv Brown was Colorado sports -- across all boards.
Brooks: Irv Brown--The Tributes Are Many, And Every One Is Justified
February 11, 2019 | General
CUBuffs.com's First Contributing Editor Reflects On The Local Icon
     Iconic Irv Brown left us on Sunday, Feb. 3, and since news of his passing at 83 began circulating early that morning the number of tributes, comments, call-ins to Denver talk shows, TV mentions, etc. has been staggering.
     I think I've read most of the on-line tributes, including wonderful remembrances by Sam Adams, Terry Frei, Dave Plati, Tracy Ringolsby, Vic Lombardi, Michael Klahr, Kevin Coleman, Gil Whiteley, Dee Anne Menzies, Rich "Gman" Goins, Patrick Saunders ... and I've surely omitted someone and apologize for my forgetfulness.
     Their words were poignant, insightful, truthful – anything but forced, which speaks to Irv's authenticity, his humility, and how well-connected he was on the Colorado sports scene and so very, very far beyond.
     When I was working for the late Rocky Mountain News and was chasing a college coaching hire, one of the first calls always went to Irv. He was a human Rolodex, in the flesh a Google prototype for most things sporting.
     In one particular coaching search involving University of Colorado men's basketball, the call to Irv produced a most unlikely name. The legendary Eddie Sutton was looking to rebound after a forced resignation at Kentucky in 1989 after a tumultuous and scandalous two seasons.
     Said Irv: "Eddie's interested in CU . . . talk to him."
     That week the Rocky assigned me to cover an NCAA Regional ahead of the 1990 Final Four coming to Denver in a couple of weeks. I tracked down Eddie at the regional site and asked him about an alleged interest in CU. I dropped Irv's name and on cue Sutton went from reticent to high wattage.
     I didn't ask Sutton if he'd gotten a heads up from Irv that a Denver newspaper guy would be looking for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if that call was made. Sutton didn't get the CU job and I don't think he was even interviewed; he wound up at Oklahoma State – his alma mater – and the Buffs wound up spending six seasons under Joe Harrington.
     Almost anyone who met Irv could recite a story of how Irv helped them or a member of their family. If Irv didn't help you, you didn't ask. No, that's not quite right; Irv usually asked you if help was needed wherever or in whatever way and then he followed through.
     Not to go too holy here, but Irv had what is biblically referred to as a "servant's heart." He exuded a general goodness that some of the more (self) righteous now in circulation work so hard at trying to duplicate but fall embarrassingly short. Kindness and reaching out came easily for Irv.
     When my son Brian was graduated from college, Irv asked me what was next for him. Told that Brian wanted to get a foot in the door in radio/TV production, Irv, of course, said, "Tell him to give me a call."
     Within a week, maybe two, Brian was spending some of his afternoons with Irv and Joe "The Hitman" Williams and producer extraordinaire Don Martin. Irv's deal was deeds, not lip service and hyperbole – a servant's heart that never stopped searching.
     And Irv never stopped asking, "How's the kid? Tell him I asked about him."
     Irv's own work ethic was as legendary as his contact list. Some of the other tributes mentioned above detail his celebrated coaching and officiating careers, his pioneering background with ESPN, his decades of Denver radio work.
     Someone once said, "Hard work never killed anybody, but why take the chance?"
     That wasn't' Irv.
     In fact, when I announced to him and wife Pat a couple of years ago in the CU press box that I was retiring, Irv was aghast. "What are you going to? You've got to do something," he said gravely, in no way able to comprehend a long-planned and awaited time to dial it back and ease out of the day-to-day deadline grind.
     The last time I saw him and visited with him was in the CU press box, for me a return trip as a "civilian" after descending – according to Irv – into the abyss of retirement. I think/hope he could envision it for me, just not for him. But he was concerned enough to issue his "you've got to do something" warning.
     As usual, he was there with Pat, chatting comfortably with everyone who stopped by, graciously entertaining all.
     "How's the kid?" asked Irv. "Tell him I asked about him."
     I did, and I will be forever thankful they met.
     God rest you, Irv Brown.
B.G. Brooks
Â
     I think I've read most of the on-line tributes, including wonderful remembrances by Sam Adams, Terry Frei, Dave Plati, Tracy Ringolsby, Vic Lombardi, Michael Klahr, Kevin Coleman, Gil Whiteley, Dee Anne Menzies, Rich "Gman" Goins, Patrick Saunders ... and I've surely omitted someone and apologize for my forgetfulness.
     Their words were poignant, insightful, truthful – anything but forced, which speaks to Irv's authenticity, his humility, and how well-connected he was on the Colorado sports scene and so very, very far beyond.
     When I was working for the late Rocky Mountain News and was chasing a college coaching hire, one of the first calls always went to Irv. He was a human Rolodex, in the flesh a Google prototype for most things sporting.
     In one particular coaching search involving University of Colorado men's basketball, the call to Irv produced a most unlikely name. The legendary Eddie Sutton was looking to rebound after a forced resignation at Kentucky in 1989 after a tumultuous and scandalous two seasons.
     Said Irv: "Eddie's interested in CU . . . talk to him."
     That week the Rocky assigned me to cover an NCAA Regional ahead of the 1990 Final Four coming to Denver in a couple of weeks. I tracked down Eddie at the regional site and asked him about an alleged interest in CU. I dropped Irv's name and on cue Sutton went from reticent to high wattage.
     I didn't ask Sutton if he'd gotten a heads up from Irv that a Denver newspaper guy would be looking for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if that call was made. Sutton didn't get the CU job and I don't think he was even interviewed; he wound up at Oklahoma State – his alma mater – and the Buffs wound up spending six seasons under Joe Harrington.
     Almost anyone who met Irv could recite a story of how Irv helped them or a member of their family. If Irv didn't help you, you didn't ask. No, that's not quite right; Irv usually asked you if help was needed wherever or in whatever way and then he followed through.
     Not to go too holy here, but Irv had what is biblically referred to as a "servant's heart." He exuded a general goodness that some of the more (self) righteous now in circulation work so hard at trying to duplicate but fall embarrassingly short. Kindness and reaching out came easily for Irv.
     When my son Brian was graduated from college, Irv asked me what was next for him. Told that Brian wanted to get a foot in the door in radio/TV production, Irv, of course, said, "Tell him to give me a call."
     Within a week, maybe two, Brian was spending some of his afternoons with Irv and Joe "The Hitman" Williams and producer extraordinaire Don Martin. Irv's deal was deeds, not lip service and hyperbole – a servant's heart that never stopped searching.
     And Irv never stopped asking, "How's the kid? Tell him I asked about him."
     Irv's own work ethic was as legendary as his contact list. Some of the other tributes mentioned above detail his celebrated coaching and officiating careers, his pioneering background with ESPN, his decades of Denver radio work.
     Someone once said, "Hard work never killed anybody, but why take the chance?"
     That wasn't' Irv.
     In fact, when I announced to him and wife Pat a couple of years ago in the CU press box that I was retiring, Irv was aghast. "What are you going to? You've got to do something," he said gravely, in no way able to comprehend a long-planned and awaited time to dial it back and ease out of the day-to-day deadline grind.
     The last time I saw him and visited with him was in the CU press box, for me a return trip as a "civilian" after descending – according to Irv – into the abyss of retirement. I think/hope he could envision it for me, just not for him. But he was concerned enough to issue his "you've got to do something" warning.
     As usual, he was there with Pat, chatting comfortably with everyone who stopped by, graciously entertaining all.
     "How's the kid?" asked Irv. "Tell him I asked about him."
     I did, and I will be forever thankful they met.
     God rest you, Irv Brown.
B.G. Brooks
Â
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