March 31, 2019 was a major disappointment for all Purdue basketball fans. Thousands of us were crushed at the KFC Yum Center personally, and thousands more across the country. After that game, there were two people I was most in love with: Gene Keady and Larry Clisby.
Gene and Cliz are Purdue’s basketball. For people like me, they are the lasting icons of more than four decades of Purdue basketball. They were there during all the suffering. Clisby himself has called up 1,189 games over 40 years. They were there for the Big Dog’s back. They were there in 2000. They were there for Hummel and Haas. They were there for that night in Louisville. Gene Keady deserves to see Purdue play in a Final Four more than anyone, and Larry Clisby deserved to call him.
Unfortunately, well deserved, past time is what we have to use.
Heartbroken I cannot describe how we feel today.
The basketball team Purdue mourns the loss of longtime radio voice Larry Clisby. He was part of our team for over 40 years and was just as important in our program as anyone.
We will miss you Cliz.
– Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) February 27, 2021
Larry Clisby was the voice. His “BULLSEYE” is what every Purdue fan wanted to hear while driving the car on a cold winter night. He was there from the Maui Invitational to Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. He was there for the Great Alaskan Shootout for the Cancún Challenge. He was there for the midday reports of the NCAA Tournament and after the midnight reports in Alaska and Hawaii. Although retired, he was with the team traveling until November.
We knew this was going to happen. Stage 4 cancer has a very strong history, and we were blessed to receive another two and a half years after his diagnosis in June 2018. It was clear that he had missed a step. He slowly moved away from Rob Blackman (a fantastic presenter in his own right), and the 2019-20 season was his last, as he was the third man, contributing a “BULLSEYE” when he could. I remember watching him go up the tunnel after a home game last season and I was impressed by how fragile he looked, but his spirit remained strong. Cliz loved Purdue basketball and, in turn, he helped us to love him through his voice.
One day we will reach the Promised Land again. If Cubs can win a World Series, then Purdue can reach a Final Four. I know that Cliz will be there.
Heartbroken I cannot describe how we feel today.
The Purdue basketball team mourns the loss of longtime radio voice Larry Clisby. He was part of our team for over 40 years and was just as important in our program as anyone.
We will miss you Cliz.
– Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) February 27, 2021
They kicked you out with a victory last night, Cliz. Have a good trip.