Remembering the legendary Larry Zimmer

Zimmer called more than 1,100 football games across college and the NFL.

David Zalubowski

The University of Colorado has lost an amazing Buff. That was the first reaction when an email blast came from media relations guru Dave Plati about the passing of Larry Zimmer, long-time “Voice of the Buffs.”

The next thought of remembering Zimmer zipping through thy noggin’ on a Sunday morning over breakfast before NFL playoff games and CU women hosting USC? The incredible schedule, for almost 20 years, the talented Louisiana native kept throughout the football season.

I know because Zimmer and your scribe flew on the Buffs team plane. KOA was the radio home, and KCNC-TV was the television “Home of the Buffs."” Our seats on team charters taking the Buffaloes into hostile territory were in the same section of the plane with the cheerleaders, support staff, and boosters. There are so many wonderful memories of those road trips, especially after a big CU win on the road.

Holy smokes. Tradition has the team singing the CU fight song as the charter touches down in Denver, win, loss, or draw. After wins like at Michigan in 1994? As players pounded fists on the ceiling, and the plane significantly shook? Interested observers like Zimmer and McIntosh prayed the plane would land safely. I sat in the row right behind Zimmer and the KOA crew.

For two decades and change, Zimmer would hop on the Buffs charter Friday and have a long day Saturday of pre-game, play by play and post-game. Trust me, it’s a fun job, but it’s physically draining. Being “live” for a stretch of eight-nine hours, then hop on a plane, return home to Denver, and head for another flight? To catch up with the Broncos where Zimmer was the color man to legendary Bob Martin for 35 years? Exhausting.

I’d watch Zimmer never leave Denver’s old airport as the rest of us Denver-based traveling crew scampered home after a long day. I was amazed by the guy. I was also enamored with Zimmer’s lovely bride of 51 years, Brigette. What a beautiful woman inside and out. The German-born beauty radiates a wonderful and personable spirit. Brigette was most often on the plane with us. The couple had a worldly air to them, enjoyed music, especially opera, and was always a pleasure to hang with. At Buffs basketball games, too.

Zimmer was a veteran, a fellow graduate of the University of Missouri’s famed School of Journalism and a gentle soul quick to smile, laugh, and make fun of himself. Without question, one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of KOA and forever beloved by Buff Nation.

Born in New Orleans 88 years ago, Zimmer enrolled at Louisiana State University but switched to Mizzou, served a couple years in the military before settling into a broadcasting career that spanned seven decades, including membership in almost every significant broadcast, sports and University of Colorado Hall of Fame group. Simply one of the best for talent, temperament, and trustworthiness. Just a great dude.

It wasn’t often, but it did happen occasionally. As the Buffs’ Denver-based traveling party would sit around awaiting transport onto the tarmac to board the plane, or waiting for our bags upon arrival or checking into the hostile-territory hotel, Zimmer and your scribe would strike up a conversation about lots of things, non-football related.

I always walked away from those brief chats impressed with the baritone pipes, generous smile, and genuine graciousness of a man at peace with the world and himself. CU athletic director Rick George calls Zimmer, “A CU institution. His voice was synonymous with our athletic program, and he was most beloved by our coaches, players, and fans. Whether it was calling games on KOA or serving as a master of ceremonies for many of our functions, Larry Zimmer was CU. He is truly a part of our overall athletic history. We will miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Shoulder to shoulder, Buff Nation mourns the silencing of its legendary and iconic sports voice, Larry Zimmer. One of the hardest-working and talented professionals ever witnessed in the sports broadcasting world. He made it look easy.