Plati-'Tudes Returns: Larry Zimmer Remembered

Welcome to Plati-'Tudes, a column featuring notes and thoughts in its 25th year, by SID-Emeritus and Athletic Historian David Plati, who is in 46th year overall in the CU athletic department.

Plati-'Tudes No. 149 ... I'd like share my personal reflections, and some from a few others, after we lost one of the state's last true sports media icons last Saturday when Larry Zimmer passed away. He was 88, and though he had been fighting an assortment of maladies the last nine years of his life, he certainly enjoyed a full and entertaining one.

  And the outpouring of people who wanted to visit with him one last time in the days leading up to his passing was a tribute to that full life. "Passing peacefully, surrounded by family and friends is what most of us would choose for ourselves and our loved ones," was in a text from his doctor sent to his wife Brigitte, and that's exactly what happened over the course of the last few days of his stay here on Earth.

        At St. Anthony's in Lakewood for 10 days, when it was realized that he likely would never go home again, the support for him and Brigitte was off the charts. A microcosm of the lives they lived as well as really touched, personally and professionally. (And any former Buff and Bronco will tell you about the Brigitte "hug.") Larry tired easily as one could imagine, hooked up to oxygen 24/7, but was lucid until the end and was able to enjoy all the visits and messages.

        Brigitte told me the hospital staff was in awe of the cavalcade of sports personalities that visited Zim in his final days. Those included from the Broncos, Mike Shanahan, Karl Mecklenburg, Steve Foley, Haven Moses, Jeff Alexander, Ron Egloff, Rich Karlis, Bucky Dilts, Wade Manning, Billy Van Heusen and Jim Saccomano; from CU, Dave Logan, Emery Moorhead, Mark Johnson, myself. A few from KOA, including "Lou from Littleton" and Opera Colorado.

        They also received calls and/or text messages either on his phone or Brigitte's from those with CU ties from Bill Marolt, Steve Hatchell, Mike Bohn, Mike & Trish MacIntyre, Rick Neuheisel, Dan & Misti Hawkins, Keith Miller, Rocko DeLuca and Gary & Mary Barnett; from former Broncos Claudie Minor, Steve Atwater and Sammy Winder among others; and from the few remaining with KOA connections like Lee Larsen.

      Keith Miller, who I nicknamed, "The kid from Ovid" (he went to Revere High School in Ovid, Colo., which is about three miles south of the Nebraska border), played fullback at CU and is an accomplished opera singer; he is planning to come to Colorado to sing at Zim's memorial, most likely early next month. The Zimmers were heavily involved in opera in the state and one of Larry's last requests was that Keith to perform at his memorial. He sent an emotional video to Larry that said:

        "I wanted to tell you thank you for everything that you've done for me. The way that you've given such love and kindness to my family and to everybody. You mean so much to me and I am so grateful that I had the chance to get to know you and Brigitte. We will be there for her, I don't want you to ever worry about that. I'll miss you, and I love you. I just want to say thank you for being just an amazing man and human being."

        Several other former Buffs, including Steve "Dr. Doo" Doolittle wrote in to say the Zimmers were like family and how much they enjoyed it when he interviewed them.

        I became a CU fan in 1970 when I was 10 years old and living in Aurora. I can remember listening to games on KOA in 1971 and hearing Zim for the first time broadcast the games. I was as bummed as anyone when we couldn't beat Nebraska or Oklahoma that year, but Larry helped get me hooked on the Buffs. My family moved back to New York in the fall of 1972, and we drove there, leaving on the Saturday that CU throttled Cincinnati, 56-14 in the second game of the season (and fighting with my brother Mark between listening to the game or music on KIMN as we headed northeast on then I-80 South, now I-76).

        How many kids like myself fell in love with CU listening to Larry on KOA? He was so different from the few others I had heard call games, other than perhaps Curt Gowdy. Dave Logan said he was blessed that he heard Zim call games when he was in high school and then for four years as a member of the Buffs. When a career spans 42 seasons calling games for the same team, you no doubt influence many as they're deciding in those formative years who their favorite team is. And being a constant for that long also connects several generations through a singular voice.

       Here's what Christy Jordan, daughter of Zack Jordan who our football MVP award is named for, posted on-line: "His voice forever reminds me of fall in my childhood, cleaning out the garage or raking leaves with my dad listening to games on the radio." How many of you does something similar apply to?

        When I returned to Colorado from New York for college in 1978, the late SID Mike Moran placed me, a cocky freshman, on the stat crew. At some point that year, I was introduced to Zim—other than interviewing Joe Namath over the phone for a high school senior project, he was the first real celebrity I ever met. We didn't speak long, but I do remember he said something about looking forward to getting to know me and working with me for years to come. That's something you don't forget.

        He was in my corner when I was up for the SID job in 1984, and ever since we remained close friends, and knowing my affinity for stats and that I'd be on every road trip, he asked me if I'd like to be the statistician in the KOA booth for road games. Other than bowls, I did that chore for the next 24 seasons, giving it up after 2007. That was well over 100 games feeding him stats and notes during the football broadcasts. Brigitte was his spotter for almost all those games as well, so we became a fairly tight-knit group, including the other announcers, Kent Groshong, Jim Ryan, Jim Conrad, Jay Leeuwenburg and Bobby Anderson, producers like Jerry Peters and Alan Jackson (not the singer) and engineers like Kenny Dhainin and Shannon Scott.

        We always joked about the "Fifth Down" game at Missouri in 1990. Because I kept a running play-by-play, I knew we had spiked the ball on fourth down and screamed out a four-letter bomb. Larry gave me a not-so-nice glance, then pointed to the scoreboard where it switched from third to fourth down. I thought I may have missed something, until offensive coordinator Gerry DiNardo came into the booth and asked me, "How many plays did we run there?" I said, "I'm pretty sure five" and he nodded in agreement. Everyone knows the rest of that story …

The "Miracle in Michigan" game was also a special memory for obvious reasons. Our booth was located on the south end of the press box, well away from the action. Larry's call was legendary, but he had always felt bad that none of knew who caught the ball for several minutes (that's me on the tape eventually telling him it was Michael Westbrook).

        A week later in 100-degree heat at Texas, the visiting radio station was located below the press box, but outside and right next to the national TV area, separated by a flimsy partition. A little before the game, Keith Jackson pops over it and says to Larry, "Great call last week, Zimmer!" Larry thanked him but said, "But I didn't know who caught the ball and you did." Keith said, "Well, neither did I … I have several cameramen to help and one simply said, 'Eighty-one.'" Michael Westbrook's number and that's how he knew before anyone else – except Michael, of course. Larry felt a whole lot better after hearing that.

        Larry was a featured speaker annually in the class I taught for 21 years in CU's Journalism School. The students, especially the broadcast majors, really looked forward to his appearance and he always took the time afterward to speak to any student who wanted a one-on-one for some personal advice.

            Mark Johnson, who replaced Larry as the voice of the football and men's basketball teams, in addition to emceeing all things CU, visited Larry the most during his final days. The pair did work together on football broadcasts for 12 seasons (2004-15) until Larry retired and became quite close, not often the case when a new sheriff replaces the old one who is still involved.

        "The past week, while Zim's health was declining was tough," Mark said. "Most days I'd visit him in the hospital and we'd sit and talk about what was happening with the Buffs, I'd read him scripture and we'd pray together. I mourn for his wife, Brigitte, and his family at his passing along with Buff Nation. I'm saddened as the passing of the legendary voice of the Buffs and my partner … but, most of all, I'll miss my friend."

      This came in from Bobby Anderson, the CU All-American who worked over 25 years with Larry on CU's radio teams:

      "The sound of Larry's wonderful broadcaster's voice will be in my head the rest of my life. Having worked with Larry on the CU football broadcast teams for some 26 of the 29 years I was involved with the Colorado Football Network, were wonderful times. The call I remember that Larry identified much sooner the the TV announcers was when Tim James was blocked in the back by Notre Dame in our 10-9 victory when we won the National Championship. Zim caught the penalty right away and saw the flag thrown.  He quickly announced that Rocket's apparent return for a touchdown would be coming back. Having listened to the TV replay later, the announcer didn't mention the penalty until after Rocket Ismael was in the end zone. Larry was always supportive and encouraging and loved the Colorado Buffaloes. It was a pleasure to be on his team and he blessed all of us.

       Dave Logan was also quoted in our original story, but then added these thoughts when speaking to the Denver Post:

        "There are so many people, myself included, who grew really familiar with Larry's voice. It can jog a memory. It's like hearing your favorite song. You hear that song and it takes you to a certain moment of your life. Play-by-play voices on radio can have a similar effect on people."

        Jim Gray, a fellow student assistant with me in the sports information office (this was back when Reagan was president just to date us), wrote in after hearing the news.

        "Larry had a major impact. He was such a good guy, and always welcoming to those of us were much younger. I thought highly of him and will always remember him as a terrific man. Time just rolls on, and in that process, unfortunately we lose so many of the great ones. Of which he was."

Rich Karlis, the barefooted Bronco placekicker through most of the 1980s, visited Larry the day before he died. He told one of the stories they shared:

        "I was fortunate to spend time with him on Friday to say goodbye and thank him for his friendship over the past 41 years. He touched so many lives. He and Brigitte were a great team. We shared a good laugh about how he and Bob Martin held their breath on my field goal in OT in the 1987 AFC Championship game in Cleveland … I told him they weren't the only one!"

        Alanna Rizzo chimed in on Twitter: "If you're from Colorado and followed Colorado sports, you know what a legend Larry Zimmer was in our world. May he RIP."

        Kristy McCartney wrote on her Facebook page: "Saying goodbye to an absolute legend. Larry was always so kind to me, TC and Derek. I will cherish those memories."

        KUSA-TV's Chris Vanderveen might have summed up the feelings of many with his one-sentence tweet: "Larry Zimmer provided the soundtrack of my childhood and beyond."

        Former Buff Club staffer and current athletic director at UC Davis, Rocko DeLuca, echoed the same sentiment in a text to Brigitte:

        "I wanted to express my admiration and respect for all Larry's meant to Colorado sports. He was the voice of the Buffs during my childhood and will forever be remembered as a CU legend. May you find comfort and peace knowing how many people like me were positively impacted by Zim."

Altitude's Andy Lindhahl, who also is KOA's sideline reporter for home games, tweeted this:

        "A legendary broadcasting voice has passed. I listened to Larry Zimmer on KOA my whole childhood. He called many Elway comebacks & magical CU victories (Miracle in Michigan). I was honored to be his intern, then be his sideline guy for Buffs football. Rest in Peace legend."

        And Tom Green said in KUSA-TV's feature: "He was the sound of sports in Colorado for decades."

        I posted the original obituary story on my Facebook page. Some of the comments I received are worth sharing:

        Nick Mohr lettered in basketball from 1999-2002 when Larry was handling the basketball play-by-play chores:

        "I remember my first interview with him. I was so nervous and star-struck. I even looked up in the stands and had my Dad come down to courtside so he could watch the interview. It was so cool to hear my name come from his voice. Truly legendary in every sense of the word."

      Linebacker Akarika Dawn posted this: "RIP....it was a pleasure to have my name called by Larry. His voice was a staple of CU history. Rest in Greatness! "

        Matt Schick graduated from CU's Journalism School and eventually his road led to working at ESPN:

         "I remember meeting with him weekly over the course of a semester, as he listened to (and critiqued!) my student radio broadcasts. Getting lessons from a legend is something I'll never forget."

        Opponent media also respected Larry; this came in from the Omaha World-Herald's  Tom Shatel:

        "(I) always dialed up 850 AM if the Buffs were playing at night to listen to a master. Larry was a true pro who intertwined knowledge and history and opinion when he thought appropriate. One of the greats."

      This was a post from one our former student assistants in the SID office, Kyle Mead:

      "Meeting Mr. Zimmer was one of the first star struck moments I had when I started working in the Sports Information office. He was always very kind and the night he came to your class was one of the highlights of the semester. I grew up listening to him on the radio and will always feel that tickle of nostalgia whenever I hear his voice. He will be missed."

        And one simple yet spot-on line from a peer, FOX Sports' Tim Brando:

        "Loved Larry. What a gentleman and a great broadcaster."

        You never get a unanimous vote, or even a consensus one, for things like, "Who would be on the Mt. Rushmore of Colorado Sports Media?" Dick Connor, Bob Martin, Woody Paige, Ron Zappolo, Lynn Sanner, Starr Yelland, Dan Creedon, Fred Leo, John Henry, Bob Collins, Irv Brown, Dave Logan among others would get their fair share of votes, but in my book, the one unanimous selection should be Larry Zimmer.

        Goodbye, Larry. Love you.

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