Bob Harris, Duke basketball’s iconic radio announcer for over four decades, died Wednesday in Durham.
Harris was 81.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Bob Harris’ passing,” Duke athletics director Nina King said in a school statement.
“We extend our sincere sympathies to Phyllis and the Harris family. Duke, the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the collegiate athletics community have lost a great icon. Bob has represented Duke with greatest professionalism for almost four decades, providing our supporters across the world with an in-depth account of Blue Devil football and men’s basketball games. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will endure forever.” 
“Duke has lost another one of its greatest treasures with the passing of Bob Harris,” Krzyzewski stated in a school release.
“For decades, as our radio play-by-play announcer, Bob portrayed the story of Duke Athletics better than anybody else. He was more than just an announcer to all of us. He was a family member who adored Duke and everything it represents. “We are grateful that it was his voice that shared our experience each season with so many Duke fans across the world. He was adored by so many people. The Krzyzewski family extends their heartfelt sympathies to Phyllis and her loved ones. “It was an honor to call Bob my friend.”
Harris has called 1,392 Duke basketball games, including 16 ACC championships, 13 Final Fours, and ten national championship games. Between 1976 to his retirement, the Albemarle native called 471 consecutive Duke football games.
Harris declared in 2016 that he would retire after the 2016–17 season. He is a member of North Carolina’s Sports Hall of Fame. He collaborated with nine football coaches, including Steve Spurrier and David Cutcliffe, and two basketball coaches, Bill Foster and Coach K. He started his broadcasting career in 1967 as the sports director for WZKY in Stanly County.
Harris, who received the ACC’s Skeeter Francis Award for meritorious service in the league, was also awarded the state’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine for “exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and its communities.”
Harris retired as the ACC’s longest-serving play-by-play broadcaster.
Harris is left by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis, daughter Bobbi Harris-McCoy, son-in-law Ron McCoy, and two grandchildren, Tripp and Meredith Winkler.
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