After 25 years, Voice of the Vols to retire at end of basketball season

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Bob Kesling, the man whose name has become synonymous with the Voice of the Vols, announced he will be retiring in 2025 following the end of the 2024-25 men's basketball season.

Tennessee Athletics shared the announcement on the social media platform X Thursday around noon.

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Kesling has had a decorated career spanning more than five decades, including a 25-year run as the Voice of the Vols. According to the University of Tennessee, Kesling is the longest-serving member in Vol Network's history.

"Bob's influence has been remarkable, touching so many lives as the Voice of the Vols and through his heartfelt dedication as a mentor and leader in our Knoxville community for over 50 years," Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said. "He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee. As an icon in the broadcasting industry, we are deeply appreciative of the professionalism he brings to Tennessee Athletics each time he takes the microphone. His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done."

This summer, Kesling was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. During his career, he has called Pat Summitt's six national championships as well as the 2022 Vol football win against Alabama.

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Kesling is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, starting his association with the Athletics Department as a walk-on fullback on the 1972 freshman football team. He later became a spotter for John Ward on Vol Network radio broadcasts in 1976, and continued in that role alongside the "Voice of the Vols" for 15 seasons, handling pre-game, halftime and post-game interviews. He also voiced play-by-play for the Lady Vols basketball team from 1978 to 1999.

Kesling was named the lead announcer of the Vol Radio Network in 1999, and since then, he has called Tennessee football and basketball across the 60-plus stations that make up the Vol Radio Network. He has also hosted "Vol Calls" and "The Big Orange Hotline" radio shows, as well as "The Josh Heupel Show" and "The Rick Barnes Show" on the Vol Television Network.

Tennessee Athletics also shared that Kesling has served on the board of directors for Goodwill, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.