Bob Robertson
Born(1929-03-14)March 14, 1929
Fullerton, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 6, 2020(2020-09-06) (aged 91)
University Place, Washington, U.S.
EducationBlaine High School
Alma materWestern Washington (attended)
OccupationSportscaster
Years active1948–2018
Known forWashington State Cougars football and basketball
Minor league baseball
Spouse(s)Joanne
(m. 1952–2011, her death)
Children4
Sports commentary career
Genre(s)Play-by-play

Bob Robertson (March 14, 1929 – September 6, 2020) was an American sportscaster, best known for covering Washington State University football from 1964–68 and 1972–2018, and WSU basketball from 1972–1994.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He was also play-by-play announcer for Tacoma's Pacific Coast League team, and one of the last to recreate play-by-play from the studio while the team was on the road.[4] He was the full-time radio announcer for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League from 1999 to 2010, and called occasional games in 2012.[7]

Robertson was born in Fullerton, California, while his father was at spring training as a baseball player with the Seattle Indians of the Pacific Coast League. He grew up in Canada (Vancouver, Saskatoon) and northwestern Washington (Point Roberts); he graduated from Blaine High School, where he played football and baseball.[2][5]

After attending Western Washington State College in Bellingham and calling minor league baseball games for the Wenatchee Chiefs of the Western International League, Robertson left the Pacific Northwest in 1955 to be the football announcer for Notre Dame's school-run television station.[4]

In 1964, Robertson began his work with WSU football, leaving briefly to announce for the rival Washington Huskies of Seattle from 1969–1971.[5][4] He returned to WSU in 1972, where he worked both football and basketball games.

During his 70-year career,[4] Robertson also covered the Seattle Rainiers, Seattle Totems, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Seattle University men's basketball, Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's basketball, as well as table tennis, hydroplane racing, roller derby, boxing, rodeo, and high school athletics.[4] He called three games for the Seattle Mariners in 1992.[4]

Robertson was known for his sign off "Always be a good sport, be a good sport all ways."[4] In 2011, he was replaced as play-by-play announcer, but remained on the football broadcasts as an analyst.[8]

On October 15, 2018, Robertson announced his retirement from Washington State with immediate effect.[8] He died at his home in University Place, Washington, on September 6, 2020, at age 91.[2][3][9]

Honors

• 2004: Chris Schenkel Award from the College Football Hall of Fame.[9]
• 2006: Inducted into the Washington State University Athletics Hall of Fame.[10]
• 2007: Inducted into the Washington Sports Hall of Fame.[7]
• 2009: The press box at WSU's Martin Stadium was named in his honor.[9]
• 2011: The press box at Spokane's Avista Stadium was named in his honor.[7]
• Named the state of Washington's Sportscaster of the Year 12 times.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Cheshier, William (October 9, 2014). "The voice of Cougar football". Daily Evergreen. (Pullman, Washington). Washington State University). Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Legendary Cougar broadcaster Bob Robertson passes away at 91". (Pullman, Washington): Washington State University Athletics. September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Stecker, Brent (September 7, 2020). "Bob Robertson, legendary voice of WSU Cougars, dies at 91". (Seattle): ESPN 710 AM. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Voices of the Game | Bob Robertson is a link to bygone era of broadcasters". 28 July 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 Devlin, Vince (November 20, 1986). "When he speaks, fans listen". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). p. C1.
  6. ↑ Hammond, Andrew (15 October 2018). ""BobRob" signs off. Longtime WSU and Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster announces immediate retirement". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Robertson to call some Spokane games".
  8. 1 2 "Legendary WSU announcer Bob Robertson announces retirement". 15 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 "WSU Cougars broadcasting legend Bob Robertson has died at 91". 7 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "WSU Athletic Hall of Fame".
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