Al McCoy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Allen Leonard McCoy April 26, 1933 Williams, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | September 21, 2024 (aged 91) |
| Other names | The Voice of the Suns |
| Education | Drake University University of Iowa |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Years active | 1950–2023 |
| Spouse |
Koharig Shahanian
(m. 1958; died 2012) |
| Children | 3 (Michael, Jay, Jerry) |
| Sports commentary career | |
| Teams |
|
| Genre | Play-by-play |
| Sports | |
Allen Leonard McCoy (April 26, 1933 – September 21, 2024) was an American sportscaster who was the play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association from 1972 to 2023.[1] The 2022–23 NBA season was his 51st and final season. He is the longest-tenured broadcaster in NBA history.[2]
Along with Chick Hearn, Hot Rod Hundley and Kevin Calabro, he was among the last of NBA broadcasters to have been simulcast on both television and radio, before league-officials ended the practice in the mid-2000's[3] and McCoy's broadcasts became exclusive to radio and online streaming via the Suns Radio Network.
His fast-paced, classical broadcasting style coupled with his colorful use of catchphrase to distinguish plays has proven influential to a generation of sportscasters, such as lead NBA on ABC play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, who remarked of McCoy as "one of my heroes" during live ESPN coverage of the 2021 Western Conference Finals. Steve Albert said "I put him up there with Vin Scully and Ernie Harwell, and all the greats, all the legends."[4]
McCoy is a Curt Gowdy Media Award winner and a member of the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor. Despite these accolades, The Arizona Republic would later detail the circumstances leading to his forced displacement to the back of the Suns arena upon his final season,[5] after 50 previous seasons on the floor next to the Suns players' bench in a courtside spot once-named "the best seat in the house" in his own Ring of Honor speech.[6] The Arizona Republic also published a photo gallery showing 90-year-old Al McCoy walking up the long flights of concrete steps to the higher arena location Suns personnel moved him to finish his career.[7]
- ^ McCoy, Al (March 6, 2007). "Broadcaster of the Week: Al McCoy, Phoenix Suns". NBA.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Coro, Paul. "Al McCoy to be inducted into Suns Ring of Honor". AZCentral.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ McCoy, Al; Wolfe, Rich (2009). The Real McCoy. Lone Wolfe Press. ISBN 9780980097870.
- ^ "Suns Broadcaster Hangout". Phoenix Suns Official YouTube Channel. Phoenix Suns. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Ruelas, Richard. "Where did Al go? Why Suns legendary broadcaster is no longer courtside". AZCentral.com. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ "Al McCoy inducted into Suns Ring of Honor". Facebook. Bally Sports Arizona. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ Schumacher, Rob. "In his final season with Phoenix Suns, announcer Al McCoy moved from courtside". AZCentral.com. The Arizona Republic.