‘Voice of the Vols’ Bob Kesling to retire in April

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee game days are going to look, or rather sound, a little different after April; ‘Voice of the Vols’ Bob Kesling is set to hang up the mic after a five-decade-plus career.

Kesling, a pillar of sports radio, is the longest-serving member of the Vol Network and someone Tennessee fans have come to expect each time the Vols start play. He’s had the mantle of ‘Voice of the Vols’ for 25 years.

Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White reflected on Kesling’s career announcing Tennessee plays on Thursday, calling him an icon for Tennessee Athletics.

“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,” White said. “He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee.”

Kesling joined an exclusive club over the summer, getting inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in Murfreesboro. The event was organized by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and further cemented the Vol Radio Network’s legacy.

“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,” White said. “His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done.”

It’s a legacy that’s stretched over some of Tennessee’s most famous sports moments.

“Bob Kesling has been the soundtrack to the memories of generations of Vols fans,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “From his calls of Pat Summitt’s six national championships to the 2022 football win over Alabama, he has cemented his place in Tennessee Athletics history. His professionalism, dedication, and love for Tennessee is unmatched and we are grateful that he chose to share his talents with all of us for the last three-plus decades.”

Tennessee welcomed Kesling as a walk-on fullback in 1972 before the legend kicked off his broadcasting career in 1974 as an editor for the “Bill Battle Show” on the Vol Television network.

In 1976, Kesling took on the role of spotter for John Ward on the Vol Network’s radio broadcasts, joining the then- ‘Voice of the Vols’ for 15 seasons, handling pre-game, halftime and post-game interviews.

He’s also got a hefty legacy across Knoxville, not just on Tennessee’s campus. Kesling serves of the board of directors for Goodwill, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.

He was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Tennessee Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2020.