John Ward has passed away.

#201
#201
RIP to a legend...some of my earliest memories of following the Vols involved Ward's mastery of calling games.
 
#202
#202
Listening to some of John Ward’s greatest calls this morning. It brought a tear to my eye. So many great memories.

There will never be another. RIP John. And thank you from the bottom of my heart.
 
#203
#203
Starting school at UT in the fall of 1966,I was able to listen to all the basketball games(away)that were called by John Ward.He actually had you there courtside for every bit of the action.If you were able to listen to John and Bill call the play by play of Tennessee football games starting with the Georgia game in 1968,you know how wonderful his announcing was.For those of you volnation who weren't able to hear him,try to find a complete game radio broadcast of his call to really hear the magic of his "voice".As,when the hair stands up on my arms when UT runs through the "T",today, tears of sadness and tears of joy fall at the passing of John Ward.I thank you,sir.
 
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#208
#208
John Ward was the Voice of the Vols! Thankful I got to meet him. Awesome man. Vol for Eternity! My condolences to his family. I’d like to see a small microphone sticker be added to our helmets this year to honor John’s career.
 
#210
#210
The joy that John brought to the hearts of fans like me back then who had very little chance of making it to Neyland can’t be overstated. Finally meeting him as an adult for the first time was like a child meeting their superhero. John exuded class and made everyone comfortable in his presence. I loved his laugh and it made me laugh when I heard it. He will of course always be “THE VOICE OF THE VOLS”.
 
#211
#211
104.5 radio in Nashville having all day tribute to John replaying famous calls, interviews and calls from fans. Special day.
 
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#212
#212
CPA said:
104.5 radio in Nashville having all day tribute to John replaying famous calls, interviews and calls from fans. Special day.
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I've had a lump in my throat and eyes welling up since last night. Nostalgia is a very powerful emotion and so much of my childhood is tied to listening to Ward. I wish I could have met him.
 
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#213
#213
Condolences to the Ward family and to the Vol family. You were one of the blessed fan bases in college football to have a great voice help bring you the game you love. He will forever be etched in your memories of Tennessee football.
 
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#214
#214
hunkerdawg said:
Condolences to the Ward family and to the Vol family. You were one of the blessed fan bases in college football to have a great voice help bring you the game you love. He will forever be etched in your memories of Tennessee football.
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When JW announced his retirement (2-word speech:"It's time."), Georgia play-by-play man Larry Munson commented that John left too soon. Mr. Ward preferred to go out on top. :hi: Both men were legendary at their respective schools.
 
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#215
#215
In 1998 I was on the field with my fellow band members as we accompanied Kenny Chesney in playing the tribute song at halftime, "Touchdown Tennessee "to John Ward. Even though we could not hear his voice in the stands, the thing that keeps going through my mind as I read these posts is the sound of my fellow band members as we played our closing song at each game, "The Tennessee Waltz". This is because of the great association that we have between John Ward and all facets of our experience as Tennessee Volunteers. He was an inseparable part of the environment that has made Tennessee Sports and the Volunteer family so special. This will never be duplicated.
RIP John Ward
 
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#216
#216
Only one thing to say...He was the best and will be missed, but always remembered!
 
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#217
#217
It saddens me that I was to young to remember John, as I was only 4 when he retired. The dude had a voice that you won’t forget that’s for sure. There won’t be another one like him. Rest easy big John.
 
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#218
#218
70’s WNGE Nashville late night basketvol replay (who recalls?) -

First and foremost, John Ward was a “cager”. I realize this is the FB forum, but Mr. Ward got his start calling games on the hardwood, and these remain my fondest memories of his craft.
Back in the 70’s, Mid-week conf game tape was flown immediately following the game to Nashville, where it aired the same night of the game (following the local news @ 10). It was basically John Wards call, with video from UT.
Growing-up in Huntsville, as a kid, I so looked forward to the mid-week contests, as dad would get home from work, we would settle into his study, find a Vol network station out of Winchester or Fayetteville , and proceed to let John Ward paint the picture.
“ tickled the twine”
“Nothing but net”
“You Sir, .... walked”
“Ernie G, of Tennessee”
“King throws up a prayer, ...... it was answered”

I would really like to know more about the airing of our mid-week conf. home games, as it was an incredible effort given the logistics of the time.
 
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#219
#219
snappervol said:
70’s WNGE Nashville late night basketvol replay (who recalls?) -

First and foremost, John Ward was a “cager”. I realize this is the FB forum, but Mr. Ward got his start calling games on the hardwood, and these remain my fondest memories of his craft.
Back in the 70’s, Mid-week conf game tape was flown immediately following the game to Nashville, where it aired the same night if game (following the local news @ 10).
Growing-up in Huntsville, as a kid, I so looked forward to the mid-week contests, as dad would get home from work, we would settle into his study, find a Vol network station out of Winchester or Fayetteville , and proceed to let John Ward paint the picture.
“ tickled the twine”
“Nothing but net”
“You Sir, .... walked”
“Ernie G, of Tennessee”
“King throws up a prayer, ...... it was answered”

I would really like to know more about the airing of our mid-week conf. home games, as it was an incredible effort given the logistics of the time.
Click to expand...
You grew up in my neck of the woods
 
#221
#221
Even when you know the inevitable will happen, it's still unbelievably sad.

For my generation that didn't grow up with Tennessee football or basketball games on tv except for 2 or 3 times a season, John Ward was our eyes. I couldn't tell you how many broadcasts I've listened to. In the thousands. Turn down the tv and listen to Ward when the games were on tv. The news yesterday brought tears to my eyes immediately. It shocked me a little for such a strong emotion to overwhelm me when I'd only spoken to the man once or twice in my lifetime. John Ward is the University of Tennessee. :sad:
 
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#223
#223
snappervol said:
70’s WNGE Nashville late night basketvol replay (who recalls?) -

First and foremost, John Ward was a “cager”. I realize this is the FB forum, but Mr. Ward got his start calling games on the hardwood, and these remain my fondest memories of his craft.
Back in the 70’s, Mid-week conf game tape was flown immediately following the game to Nashville, where it aired the same night of the game (following the local news @ 10). It was basically John Wards call, with video from UT.
Growing-up in Huntsville, as a kid, I so looked forward to the mid-week contests, as dad would get home from work, we would settle into his study, find a Vol network station out of Winchester or Fayetteville , and proceed to let John Ward paint the picture.
“ tickled the twine”
“Nothing but net”
“You Sir, .... walked”
“Ernie G, of Tennessee”
“King throws up a prayer, ...... it was answered”

I would really like to know more about the airing of our mid-week conf. home games, as it was an incredible effort given the logistics of the time.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. My first exposure to John Ward was on the replays of Vol basketball during the Ernie and Bernie days.
 
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#224
#224
I always felt that when Tenn won the national title in 98 that God was really honoring John Ward.

There were so many miracle moments during that season that it felt like a gift. When John Ward announced at the beginning of the season he would be retiring, I knew when we won it that God said" this one is for you John ".

RIP Mr. Ward. Thank you for the great memories with my grandfather and brother listening to and attending Vols games.
 
#225
#225
My dad and me putting the TV on mute and turning the radio broadcast on was a part of my childhood that I'll always fondly remember. He was one of the best ever to do it, no matter the sport, and there will never be anyone else like him. Great memories.

Play-by-play appeared to come so naturally to him; his "flow" of describing a play was so smooth. I'd get so excited as a kid when he started rapidly naming off the yard lines (to the 35, to the 40, to the 45) because you knew someone had gotten loose for big yards. I can't really imagine my time following Tennessee football without him being a part of it, even though I was only 11 years old when he retired. I was really young but I remember him calling games like it was yesterday.

I know times change, but I tend to be a really nostalgic person and it is sad that there really isn't anybody following in the footsteps of people like John Ward, Vin Scully, Larry Munson (I know he was a Dawg but the guy was entertaining), etc. Sure, games are still called on the radio and that'll continue, but less and less people consume the games that way, and over time you just won't have legendary commentators like that anymore.
 
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