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Dan Hicks, a broadcaster with 34 years of service at NBC Sports, has passed away at the age of 64. Hicks was widely recognized for his coverage of Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, and various Olympic sports. His wife, Hannah Storm, a veteran anchor for ESPN's 'SportsCenter,' shared the news on Instagram on Thursday morning, stating that he died from an 'acute illness.'
Hicks and Storm had resided in Greenwich, Connecticut, since 1995, where they raised their three daughters, Hannah, Ellery, and Riley. In her Instagram post, Storm wrote, 'Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness. He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.'
Hicks covered the last eight Summer Olympic Games as the stroke-by-stroke announcer for swimming and also served as co-host for the Closing Ceremony. One of his most memorable commentary moments occurred at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where American anchor Jason Lezak led the United States to a dramatic comeback over France in the 4x100 meter men's relay, setting a world record.
In 2013, Hicks took over NBC Sports' coverage of Notre Dame football from the iconic Tom Hammond. Although the network replaced him with Mike Tirico at the start of the 2017 season, Hicks was reinstated in South Bend three years ago. He also led the network's PGA Tour coverage since 2000 and made his first short trip to TPC River Highlands in Connecticut earlier this year after NBC acquired the rights to the Travelers Championship.
A native of Tucson, Hicks attended the University of Arizona and began his broadcast career at NBC affiliate KVOA. He moved east in 1989 to work as a sports reporter at CNN, where he stayed for three years and met Storm. Hicks began an uninterrupted stretch at NBC Sports in 1992, working across several coverage teams before finding his enduring niches. He served as a sideline reporter and play-by-play voice for NBA on NBC from 1992 to 2000, spent six seasons on the network's NFL coverage starting in 1992, and later worked on tennis coverage from 2019 to 2023.
Key Analysis
Hicks' career was marked by versatility and longevity, with his voice becoming synonymous with some of the most significant moments in sports. His ability to seamlessly transition between football, golf, basketball, and Olympic swimming underscored his broad expertise and adaptability. Beyond his professional achievements, Hicks' deep roots in Connecticut and his family life painted a picture of a man grounded in community and devotion. His sudden passing leaves a void in the sports broadcasting world and among those who knew him personally.
Originally reported by yahoo.