Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network

GeneralNovember 07, 2024

The Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics announced on Thursday that renowned announcer Bob Kesling will retire as the Voice of the Vols after the 2024-25 men’s basketball season.

Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network, which celebrated its 75th anniversary. His dedication and experience have made him the longest-serving member in the organization’s storied history, a testament to his unwavering commitment and influence within the community.

“Bob’s influence has been remarkable, touching so many lives as the Voice of the Vols and through his heartfelt dedication as a mentor and leader in our Knoxville community for over 50 years,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee. As an icon in the broadcasting industry, we are deeply appreciative of the professionalism he brings to Tennessee Athletics each time he takes the microphone. His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done.”

This summer, Kesling received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame during a ceremony held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The event, organized by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, celebrated his significant contributions to the field of broadcasting. By joining the Hall of Fame, Kesling is now part of an exclusive group of distinguished individuals who have made remarkable impacts on Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Radio Network, further solidifying his legacy in the state’s rich broadcasting history.

“Bob Kesling has been the soundtrack to the memories of generations of Vols fans,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “From his calls of Pat Summitt’s six national championships to the 2022 football win over Alabama, he has cemented his place in Tennessee Athletics history. His professionalism, dedication, and love for Tennessee is unmatched and we are grateful that he chose to share his talents with all of us for the last three-plus decades.”

For over 25 years, Kesling has served as the “Voice of the Vols” on radio and television. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he has represented Tennessee Athletics in various capacities, both on-air and off-air, most notably as Director of Broadcasting. He is a four-time recipient of the “Sportscaster of the Year” award for the state of Tennessee.

“Bob Kesling is a cornerstone in our proud 75-year history of the Vol Network,” Vol Network Vice President & General Manager Steve Early said.  “It will be hard to imagine a football Saturday without the presence of such a skilled and dedicated story-teller.  His unmatched versatility as both a radio and television personality has been an advantage Tennessee fans have enjoyed for 50 years.  Nobody loves the Vol Network more than Bob.  It’s fitting that an entire generation has grown up knowing only his voice.  And the amount of people he has encouraged and influenced in this industry says all you need to know about his broadcasting legacy.  To me, he personifies loyalty and what it means to be a big-time professional.  The Vol Network is better because of Bob Kesling.”

Since being named the lead announcer on the Vol Radio Network in 1999, Kesling has been the play-by-play voice for Tennessee football and basketball across the 60-plus stations that make up the Vol Radio Network, one of the largest networks in collegiate sports. He also hosts “Vol Calls,” a weekly coaches’ call-in radio show, and the “Big Orange Hotline” during the football season. Additionally, he hosts “The Josh Heupel Show” and “The Rick Barnes Show” on the Vol Television Network.

Kesling began his association with the University of Tennessee as a walk-on fullback on the 1972 freshman football team. His broadcasting career started in 1974 when he worked as a film editor for the “Bill Battle Show” on the Vol Television Network while still a student.

In 1976, Kesling became the spotter for John Ward on Vol Network radio broadcasts, sitting beside the legendary “Voice of the Vols” for 15 seasons and handling pre-game, halftime, and post-game interviews.

He also has a long history with the Lady Vols basketball team, serving as the radio play-by-play voice from 1978 to 1999 and calling Pat Summitt’s first six NCAA National Championships.

WIVK Radio in Knoxville appointed Kesling as its Sports Director in 1976. In 1980, he was named Sports Director at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, where he anchored the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news.

During his tenure at WBIR-TV, Kesling also worked for Jefferson-Pilot Sports on its SEC Television package. He served as pre-game host and play-by-play announcer for the basketball network in 1989 and joined the football broadcasts as a sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer in 1992. Kesling remained with WBIR and Jefferson-Pilot Sports until accepting the Vol Network position in 1999. Throughout his extensive broadcasting career, he has been a long-time member of the SEC Radio Network. He has also broadcast various sporting events for CBS/Westwood One Radio, FOX Sports, FOX SportSouth, and the SEC Network. Additionally, he called games for the Knoxville Cherokees hockey team, the Knoxville Blue Jays baseball team, and the Nashville Sounds baseball team.

Active in the community, Kesling serves on the boards of directors for Goodwill, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the 2013 United Way Campaign Chairperson. He was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Tennessee Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2020. A 1977 graduate of Tennessee, Kesling and his wife, Tami, have two daughters, Allison and Melissa.