Bob Kesling, who became “Voice of the Vols” following the retirement of John Ward in 1999, is again following Ward in announcing his retirement.
-- Tennessee Athletics/Utsports.ComFor more than 25 years, Bob Kesling has provided the soundtrack to some of the biggest sports moments in University of Tennessee history. He intended to remain the “Voice of the Vols” as long as he had the passion and energy to keep broadcasting.
But this summer, Kesling realized it was time to hand the microphone over to someone younger. The UT graduate wanted to spend more time with his family, including his new grandson. Kesling announced last week he plans to retire following the conclusion of the 2024-25 men’s basketball season.
“It’s a difficult day for me, but also a very joyful one to reflect back on what has been such a tremendous ride over the past 26 years as the lead announcer on the Vol Network,” Kesling says. “In 1972, I arrived at UT as a walk-on fullback from Kettering, Ohio. I didn’t know a single guy on the team. I didn’t know anybody in the state of Tennessee. I’d only talked to coach Bill Battle for a few minutes, and I had talked to some of the assistant coaches. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if I’d even last through training camp or two-a-day practice sessions.”
Kesling followed in the footsteps of a legend by taking over for John Ward as the “Voice of the Vols” in 1999.
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 and was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame this past summer.
Half a century of Vols history
Kesling’s 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 Ward on Vol Network radio broadcasts, sitting with Ward for 15 seasons and handling pregame, halftime and postgame interviews.
“I wouldn’t be standing here without John Ward. He gave me the opportunity to be the film editor on ‘The Bill Battle Show’ when I was still in school. Later, he gave me the opportunity to be a spotter for football games,” Kesling says. “And sitting next to him for 15 seasons, I learned how to be a broadcaster. And, more importantly, I learned how to do it the right way.”
Since being named the lead announcer on the Vol Radio Network, 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.
Kesling 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.
“Nobody had any idea in those days that a graduate student named Pat Head would build a college basketball dynasty here,” Kesling says. “Wins and championships started piling up. Thompson-Boling Arena would sell out to watch the Lady Vols eventually.
Pat Head became Pat Summitt, and I was there every step of the way for her first six national championships. She was an amazing coach, an amazing leader, a role model and a motivator. If she was your friend, you didn’t need a better one.”
Mentoring along the way
Throughout his broadcasting career, Kesling served as a mentor for UT broadcasting students and up-and-coming talents in the industry.
ESPN writers and broadcasters Chris Low and Ryan McGee met Kesling when they were in college in the 1980s and early ’90s, respectively.
“They say to never be the guy who replaces the guy, but when Bob was moving into the headset vacated by John Ward, it was the perfect decision and everyone knew it,” McGee says. “No one has ever enjoyed the sports media life more than Kesling. He has always appreciated the privilege and responsibility of being employed to go to events other people dream of attending.”
Adds Low: “He’s had a Hall of Fame career in the broadcasting business and has been a pillar in the community with his work in the Boys and Girls Club and mentoring of countless young broadcasters, many of whom can now be seen and heard on ESPN and around the SEC on different schools’ broadcast networks.
“Bob did it the right way. He never wanted to be the story, but was always a pro at telling the story the way it warranted being told and serving as a model ambassador for the University of Tennessee.”
McGee learned early on an ethos from Kesling that he’s carried with him during his entire journalism career.
“It’s OK to have fun and do the off-the-wall stuff, but only if you get the hard stuff right,” McGee says. “Bob has always embraced the fun of the gig, but he’s also always gotten the difficult, serious stuff right, and has expertly walked that Big Orange tightrope for decades. We’re all better for it.”
Although he has a few months left before he signs off for good, Kesling sent a message to the people who gave him the chance to fulfill his dream as the “Voice of the Vols.”
“I want to thank the great fans at Tennessee, our loyal listeners on the Vol Network,” he says. “We wouldn’t be here and do this without you. You made it all possible, and the passion of the Tennessee fans never ceases to amaze me.”