Larry Zimmer Tribute
“Larry Zimmer, was such a wonderful radio announcer in Jeremy Levy’s opinion.” Jeremy Levy back with you with the sad news that Larry Zimmer long time voice of the CU Buffs and the Denver Bronco’s has passed away at the age of 88 years old. He was surrounded by his family and friends, and died peacefully. Larry was behind the microphone for 486 CU Buff’s games. He started his career at the university of Missouri. He was also the sports director of 850 KOA radio back in the 1990’s.
I don’t like to go to games because of the loudness, so I really enjoy listening to them on the radio. Whenever I listen to sports on the radio I feel like I am right there with them at the game When I listen to sports on the radio I love hearing the announcers call the games. In the early 2000’s, I would sometimes listen to the CU Buff’s games even though I wasn’t a football or college football fan back then. Larry Zimmer was the first one to help me enjoy the CU Buffs.
Andy Lindahl knew Larry well and said that when he first became an intern at KOA radio Larry wasn’t sure about hiring him. He was a young kid, and KOA was looking for older people to take the job because older people listened to that kind of radio at the time. I think that Larry made the right decision to hire Andy. When I meet a radio host, I think it is surreal. Mark Johnson had a story that he told many times on Monday January 20 2024. He and Larry Zimmer were talking to a fan of the CU Buffs before one of the games. They talked for several minutes, and the fan said, “This was amazing!” Mark asked him what is so Amazing? The fan said I’m sitting here, and I am talking with the voices of my favorite college football team. This is so Surreal! This is the way I feel when I meet a radio personality and when I do an interview with a radio personality. I hope that my followers can understand this by reading this blog, and by listening to my podcast. I really wish I could have done an interview for this blog with Larry. I am sure he would have many stories about his times announcing games.
Larry was the same person announcing a CU Buff’s game that he was in person Mark Johnson said. Way back in 2004 when Mark Johnson was set to take the job as the CU Buffs football announcer people told him not to take the job because no one could replace Larry Zimmer. Mark was a little bit nervous his first couple of games, but it sounded like to me both by listening to Mark tell the story, and by listening to Mark take over for Larry that he was a great radio announcer. The transition was seamless thanks to Larry Zimmer. It was all due to his kindness and his warmth by welcoming him into the booth. For 12 years he was his mentor. When Mark did games with Gary Barnett, Mark would often get texts from Larry saying great broadcast today. You did a great job in covering the game for the fans. I really agree with that.
Dave Logan was Larry’s partner for the Bronco’s games in the early 1990’s. Dave said on Colorado’s morning news that he doesn’t think he would have a job in this business if it weren’t for Larry Zimmer. Dave got to see him in the hospital before he passed away, and he said it was good for him to see him. Dave said Larry’s mind was sharp as it was when he first knew him. His body might not have been totally functional, but his mind was certainly functional. Mark Johnson also got to see him in the hospital. They talked for many hours about the CU Buffs, and they would read bible verses together. The last week that Lary was in the hospital it was tough for him. If it weren’t for Larry Zimmer, Dave Logan and Scott Hastings wouldn’t have a show together. I believe, though I can’t back this up, that Lou from Littleton got hired by Larry as well. He did a great job over the years that Lou and Larry worked together.
Mark will miss him as a partner and as an announcer. Most of all Mark will miss Larry as a friend. Dave Logan feels the same way. The play from the Bronco’s that Larry called and will always stick in my mind is one of John Elway’s games. “Here is the fourth down play. Elway’s got the ball. John drops back. Runs up out of the pocket. Let’s the pass go. It is caught by Rod Smith! It is at the 40- the 35- the 30- the 25- the 20- the 15- the 10- the 5- touch down touchdown Bronco’s! The Bronco’s strike in a hurry.” You could hear the excitement in his voice. Dave said as the color guy, “That was unbelievable!” The Bronco’s walk off the field a winner. In my opinion Larry Zimmer was and will always be a Colorado football winner. Thanks for tuning in.