Anthony Roberts

Tony Roberts peacefully passed away on August 25,2023 with his wife and family by his side. Tony was born into an Italian family on the south side of Chicago, where he grew up loving baseball, Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs. After high school he was drafted into the Army and honorably served in support of the Korean War where he earned the United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. Following his military service, Tony graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Journalism and began his career as an announcer in Clinton, Iowa. He worked at different stations in Illinois and Indiana where he developed his distinctive play-by-play style calling high school basketball games. His broadcast career quickly expanded to college baseball, basketball and play-by-play for Indiana University Football. In 1970 he came to Washington, DC to join WWDC, where he would become one of the voices of the Washington Senators before the team moved to Texas in 1972. His work in Washington continued as he became the play-by-play announcer for Naval Academy Football and Washington Bullets (now Wizards) basketball. Recognition for Tony’s work resulted in several accolades to include seven Associated Press Sports Reporting awards and seven DC Sportscaster of the Year awards. In 1979, he joined the Mutual Broadcasting System, now known as Westwood One Sports, where his prominence as a broadcaster would be nationally recognized. Tony would spend 27 years working for Mutual/ Westwood One. His experience prepared him for a Hall of Fame career as one of the most renowned sports voices in America. His extensive career included covering several Winter and Summer Olympic Games, NBA Basketball, the College Baseball World Series, NFL Football, NCAA College Basketball, PGA, and several major college bowl games for decades. Tony Roberts loved his job as a sportscaster, and the national listeners would be entertained and informed year-round from a variety of historic venues. Once such venue is Notre Dame Stadium, and Tony is best known as the Voice of Notre Dame Football from 1980-2006. Tony’s calls of Notre Dame Football were legendary. His dramatic descriptions of the Fighting Irish on the gridiron and his signature call “Touchdown Irish” are memories fans have cherished for years. Lifetime accomplishments include being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2005 Tony was honored by the College Football Hall of Fame receiving the prestigious Chris Schenkel award. This award honors a broadcaster who’s had a distinguished career broadcasting College Football, recognizes their direct ties to colleges and universities and commitment to excellence in broadcasting. A fitting tribute to a man who provided so many thrills to generations of Notre Dame fans worldwide. Tony Roberts was a legendary sportscaster. His seven-decade career culminated with his induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. During their life together, Tony and Shirley enjoyed traveling around the world and made solid friendships along the way which they cherished dearly. Tony had the most amazing gift of touching people’s lives with his handwritten letters, cards, words of wisdom, and ability to brighten their day with conversation and a smile. He had a genuine heart and a strong Catholic faith which guided him through a well-lived life. He always believed in the power of prayer and spreading God’s word to those in need. Tony is survived by his loving and caring wife Shirley, their combined 7 children Lance, Tracey, Kerry, Daryle, Keith, Tricia, and Kevin, 6 grandchildren, his brother Arthur, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces who will miss him greatly.

Anthony Roberts

October 21, 1928 - August 25, 2023