CU announcer shuts off his mic

Alan Cass, the voice behind CU football and men’s basketball, announced his final game Saturday night at the Coors Events Center for the Buffs’ home finale against Nebraska.

“My wife and I just looked at the calendar and realized that this year was the 50th anniversary of when I first picked up a microphone,” said Cass.

Cass’s career as the public address announcer for CU men’s basketball and football began in the mid-60s, and for a near 50 years he has stayed true to his values, keeping the athletes as the main focus and keeping himself out of the picture.

“I guess it’s called old-school, the idea is that you’re there just to provide information,” he said.

Cass’s voice was most recognizable heard during football and basketball games, but his resume includes announcing for track and field, wrestling, baseball, girls basketball, commencement exercises and other CU events. He was also the announcer for the Denver Broncos from 1988 to 2007, and was responsible for the famous “in…com…plete” chant.

“Another famous line of mine is, ‘there’s a time-out on the court’,” he jokes.

Cass’s legacy exists within his notable voice and his ability to deliver a performance including nothing but clear, distinct, factual and accurate pronunciations, never showboating or adding unnecessary flair. Fans appreciated his balanced voice.

However, Cass was anything from a boring announcer. He will always be remembered for the way he enunciated the CU football players, “OoooCcccc Oliver…JaaaaayJaaaay Flannigan… and Eeeeee-Bieniemy.” And basketball player “David Kooooosman.”

Now that Cass has turned off his microphone, he is looking forward to being a fan.

“I’m looking forward to, as the saying in the CU fight song goes, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with my wife in the stands and cheering on the buffs,” Cass said.