Dan Hicks, the Voice Behind Olympic Icons, Dies at 64
NBC Sports veteran Dan Hicks passed away suddenly on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy of calling major athletic events for over three decades.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Dan Hicks died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 64.
The longtime NBC Sports broadcaster spent more than three decades calling major athletic events, including the Olympic Games and professional golf tournaments. His death was confirmed by his wife, Hannah Storm, an ESPN and ABC broadcaster, on Thursday. She identified the cause of death as an acute illness.
Mike Tirico, who worked alongside Hicks for the past decade, offered a tribute during a Thursday appearance on Golf Channel. Tirico described Hicks as a broadcaster's broadcaster, noting that Hicks handled major moments with precision and the correct energy. Tirico stated that Hicks nailed every big moment he was given.
Tirico specifically cited Hicks' role in narrating Michael Phelps' gold medal victories in Olympic swimming. He also referenced Hicks' commentary on the ski jumps during the Olympic Games, identifying Hicks as the voice behind those events. Tirico noted that Hicks knew how to support his co-commentators, including Johnny Miller and Rowdy Gaines. Tirico said Hicks knew when to let his partners have their moment and set them up brilliantly.
Hicks joined NBC in 1992. He spent the last ten years of his career working with Tirico, who arrived at the network in 2016 after spending 25 years at ESPN and ABC.
Storm, who has been married to Hicks for more than 30 years, described him as a devoted husband and the father of their three daughters. She said his loss is immeasurable and noted that he was a cherished friend to many.
Storm recalled that Hicks was a person everyone wanted around because he brought energy and laughter to any room. She stated that he was endlessly kind, thoughtful, and funny, and that he made everyone feel like they mattered.
