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March 31, 2019 was a heartbreak for all Purdue basketball fans. Thousands of us were crushed at the KFC Yum center in person, and thousands more across the country. As a result of that match, there were two people I was most crushed for: Gene Keady and Larry Clisby.
Gene and the Cliz are the Purdue basketball. For people like me, they are the lasting icons of more than four decades of Purdue basketball. They’ve been there for all of the grief. Clisby himself has called 1,189 games in 40 years. They were there for Big Dog’s back. They were there for 2000. They were there for Hummel and Haas. They were there for that night in Louisville. Gene Keady more than anyone deserves to see Purdue play in a Final Four, and Larry Clisby deserved to call him.
Unfortunately, the deserved past is what we need to use.
Heartbroken cannot describe how we feel today.
The Purdue basketball team mourns the loss of longtime radio voice over Larry Clisby. He’s been a part of our team for over 40 years and as important a part of 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 driving in the car on a cold winter night. He was there from the Maui Invitational to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. He was there for the Great Alaska Shootout at the Cancun Challenge. He was there for the midday betting tips of the NCAA tournament and the after midnight betting tips in Alaska and Hawaii. Although retired, he was with the team traveling until November.
We knew it was going to happen. Stage 4 cancer has a pretty solid track record, and we were fortunate enough to have two and a half more years after his diagnosis in June 2018. It was clear, however, that he had lost a step. He slowly moved away for Rob Blackman (a full-fledged fantasy broadcaster), and the 2019-20 season was his last as he was third man, contributing roughly a “BULLSEYE” when he could. I remember seeing him come up the tunnel after a home game last season and I was struck by how fragile he was, but his spirit remained strong. The Cliz loved Purdue basketball, and in turn, he helped us love him through his voice.
One day we will reach the Promised Land again. If the Cubs can win a World Series, Purdue can reach a Final Four. I know the Cliz will be there.
Heartbroken cannot describe how we feel today.
The Purdue basketball team mourns the loss of longtime radio voice over Larry Clisby. He’s been a part of our team for over 40 years and as important a part of our program as anyone.
We will miss you Cliz.
– Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) February 27, 2021
They sent you with a win last night, Cliz. Good walk.
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