Legendary Utah Broadcaster Bill Marcroft Passes Away

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Longtime Utah Athletics broadcaster Bill Marcroft has passed away.

Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham tweeted about the news on Sunday morning.

“So sad to hear the news of my good friend Bill Marcroft’s passing,” Whittingham tweeted. “He was an icon of Utah Athletics for so many years and leaves an incredible legacy behind. Sending love to his family. He will be greatly missed.”

Legend and Voice of the Utes for 38 years. We are broken hearted to hear of his passing. https://t.co/w4W6Zvyk5H

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 15, 2020

The University of Utah graduate was the voice of the Utes for 38 years for football and basketball. He retired after the 2004 season when Utah went undefeated and beat Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl to become the first non-BCS school to win a BCS Bowl Game. Utah football celebrated his career in 2004 at the BYU/Utah game.

After calling so many iconic moments in Utah history, the program named the current radio broadcast booth after Marcroft. Beginning as the voice of the Utes in 1966, Marcroft called many memorable moments including the Runnin’ Utes Elite Eight run in 1997 and their National Championship appearance in 1998.

“I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to visit with Bill on occasion, at a Utah event or at a charity function, where he never said no to being the emcee,” said third-year Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. “He loved the Red Rocks, he was so kind, and just loved everything about Utah Athletics. Extending my condolences and wishing the best to his family during this difficult time.”

Feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to visit with Bill on occasion, at a Utah event( he LOVED the Red Rocks) or at a charity function, where he never said no to being the MC. He was so kind, and just loved Utah Athletics. My best to his family during this difficult time. https://t.co/hqmxDQeAMy

— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) November 15, 2020

Utah head basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak tweeted about the Marcroft on Sunday afternoon.

“We lost a great man with a great voice! RIP Bill Marcroft. You were a gentleman and a great sportsman. Thoughts and prayers,” Krystkowiak tweeted.

We lost a great man with a great voice! RIP Bill Marcroft. You were a gentleman and a great Sportsman. Thoughts and 🙏.

— Larry Krystkowiak (@LKrystkowiak) November 15, 2020

During his broadcasting career at Utah from 1966-2004, Marcroft called 440 football games and 1,088 men’s basketball games.

Marcroft received a Distinguished Service Award in 2014 during the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation’s annual Spring Honors Banquet.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.