Former FHSU, KU and Royals Announcer Bob Davis Releases Book
Bob Davis, 14-time Kansas Sportscaster-of-the-Year, has released a book chronicling his 48 years calling the action as the voice of the Fort Hays State Tigers, Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals.
The Dream is Real details how his broadcasting dream was sparked by watching 17-year-old Mickey Mantle play shortstop for the Class D Independence (Kan.) Yankees. He would drop out of law school to go to broadcasting school and after applying for more than 50 jobs in the Midwest, he landed as an afternoon disc jockey at KAYS radio in Hays, Kan. That began a nearly five-decade run of broadcasting excellence, culminating with his induction into the Kansas Broadcasters and Sports halls of fame.
His story is complemented with the contributions of more than 50 coaches, athletes, media peers, and friends who offer their memories of working with and/or listening to Davis.
"I figured after 50 years people had heard enough of me," Davis says. "But my friends said I needed to put the stories down on paper so the listeners could relive the experiences they enjoyed over time. Plus, it was fun to reconnect with so many people who were special in my life."
Among those contributing include CBS, TNT and Westwood One broadcaster Kevin Harlan, who wrote the foreward, and Wyatt Thompson, voice of the Kansas State Wildcats, who provided the afterword. Others who shared their stories include current Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self, former Jayhawk hoops coaches Larry Brown and Roy Williams, former Jayhawk football coaches Glen Mason and Mark Mangino, former Kansas City Royals Manager Tony Muser and player Mike Sweeney. Broadcasting peers include Kansas City Chiefs broadcast Mitch Holthus, CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz, Kansas City Royals announcers Denny Matthews and Ryan Lefebvre, and a cast of characters from his days at KAYS radio in Hays including former co-workers Errol Wuertz and Dave Armstrong, former Fort Hays State basketball coaches Chuck Brehm, Joe Rosado and Bill Morse, and numerous others.
"I think fans will enjoy the book because they will learn a little bit about the evolution of broadcasting, take a peek behind the scenes stories, and hopefully get a chuckle from our hijinks on the road," Davis says.
Davis wrote the book along with long-time friend Jeff Bollig, a native of Hays and former Kansas athletics and Big Eight Conference media relations director. Bollig has also co-authored books Beware of the Phog: 50 Years of Allen Fieldhouse and What it Means to be a Jayhawk.
Davis' wife, Linda (Michaelis), is originally from Russell.
(Press Release courtesy Jeff Bollig)