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WESTERVILLE, Ohio- The Otterbein Athletics Department was dealt a significant loss over the weekend with the sudden passing of longtime support staff member, Bob Kennedy, who died at his home overnight following lingering health issues. He was 58 years old.

Kennedy graduated from Otterbein (class of 1987) with a degree in speech communication and broadcasting, before coming aboard in 1990 to begin serving as the main public address announcer for football and both basketball programs. He also recently added women's volleyball to that list and had served in a variety of other speaking roles on campus throughout his lengthy run.

Rike Center fans will most certainly never forget his patented "one and one" call for bonus free throws during basketball games.

"This is a very sad day for us Cardinals," said Connie Richardson, interim Athletic Director and former women's basketball coach. "One of our very best has left us. Always the smile, laugh and voice everyone recognized, I can count on one hand the number of games he missed over his 30-plus years. Many knew him as the voice of the Buckeyes, but I always reminded them where he got his start and still remained. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends."

Kennedy became a well-known voice and personality around Central Ohio over the past four decades. He started working in 2000 as the primary PA announcer for Ohio State football, baseball, men's and women's soccer, women's ice hockey and women's field hockey games while serving as a backup for basketball games.

"BK" also became the PA announcer for the Columbus Clippers in 2003 and held many part-time jobs in the world of radio, most notably a traffic/news reporter and producer. He was most recently an on-air talent for WDLR in nearby Delaware.

Kennedy was slated to work the home Ohio State baseball game on Sunday afternoon. When he did not arrive, Ohio State officials contacted local authorities to perform a wellness check at his home. They were informed a short while later that he had passed away inside.

Arrangements will be posted at www.morelandfuneralhome.com pending their completion.