Longtime Purdue Radio Announcer Larry Clisby Dies at 74

Longtime Purdue Radio Announcer Larry Clisby Dies at 74

Credit Source: Purdue University Athletics

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Longtime voice of Purdue Basketball Larry Clisby died this morning in his home in Florida his family announced. He was 74 years old.

 

Clisby was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung and metastatic brain cancer in June 2018.

 

“Cliz was more than just Purdue Basketball’s radio announcer. He was truly a part of our team and program for more than 40 years. He had close relationships with current and former players and we always considered him an extended part of our staff,” head coach Matt Painter said. “While it’s a sad day for all of us and all our great fans, we should all feel fortunate that he was our program’s voice and cherish those memories of him calling games for the team he loved.”

 

Known for his trademark “Bullseye” call and quick wit, Clisby served as the radio play-by-play voice of Purdue Basketball for almost 40 years before officially retiring before the 2020-21 season. Clisby finished his career calling 1,189 Purdue games, spanning coaches Gene Keady and Matt Painter.

 

Clisby started his broadcasting career in Paducah, Kentucky, before being hired by WLFI-TV in Lafayette, in 1977. He started in the area by calling high school basketball games and being the set-up man for Purdue Basketball, before moving full-time to become the Voice of the Boilermakers in 1982, while also hosting the Gene Keady Show. For over 40 years, his name was synonymous with Purdue Basketball.

 

He called some of the biggest moments in Purdue history, ranging from Chad Austin’s game-winning shots at Indiana, Glenn Robinson’s basket vs. Michigan to help give Purdue the 1994 Big Ten Championship to Ryan Cline’s stepback 3-pointer against Tennessee in the 2019 Sweet 16. He was a part of nine Big Ten Championship seasons, one Big Ten Tournament title, 28 NCAA Tournaments and three Elite Eight appearances.

 

In 2018, Clisby was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.