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Opening night at the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, La. The old ballpark was destroyed in 2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATech Media Relations. c.2021.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All Rights Reserved Opening night at the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, La. The old ballpark was destroyed in 2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATech Media Relations. c.2021.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All Rights Reserved
Opening night at the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, La. The old ballpark was destroyed in 2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATech Media Relations. c.2021.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All Rights Reserved
Photo Credit: c.2021 Louisiana Tech University Foundation
Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved. Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved.
Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Ruston, La.
Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved. Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved.
Played at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. 26Dec2019. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat the Miami Hurricanes 14-0 in the 44th Independence Bowl. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019. Louisiana Tech University Foundation. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Ruston, La.
The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved. The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved.
The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved.
The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved. The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved.
The Natchitoches Special Events Center hosted the 2019 induction ceremonies 8June2019 for the lates class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by TomMorrisPhotos.com. c.2019.All Rights Reserved.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogstrtraveled to Columbia, SC, to play the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium 23Sept2017. USC won 17-16. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogstrtraveled to Columbia, SC, to play the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium 23Sept2017. USC won 17-16.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogstrtraveled to Columbia, SC, to play the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium 23Sept2017. USC won 17-16.
Photo Credit: TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Louisiana Tech at Fresno college football Louisiana Tech at Fresno college football
Louisiana Tech at Fresno college football
Dave Nitz and Teddy Allen Dave Nitz and Teddy Allen
Dave Nitz and Teddy Allen
Played at the Thomas Assembly Center, Ruston, La., 11/2/2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Ruston, La. All Rights Reserved. Played at the Thomas Assembly Center, Ruston, La., 11/2/2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Ruston, La. All Rights Reserved.
Played at the Thomas Assembly Center, Ruston, La., 11/2/2019. Photo by TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com. c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Ruston, La. All Rights Reserved.
Photo Credit: c.2019.Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Ruston, La.
Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB
12/22/09
Thomas Assembly Center
Ruston, La.

TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB
12/22/09
Thomas Assembly Center
Ruston, La.

TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com
Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB 12/22/09 Thomas Assembly Center Ruston, La. TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com
Photo Credit: TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com
Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB
12/22/09
Thomas Assembly Center
Ruston, La.

TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB
12/22/09
Thomas Assembly Center
Ruston, La.

TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com
Texas Pan Am @ Tech MBB 12/22/09 Thomas Assembly Center Ruston, La. TOM MORRIS/latechsportspix.com
Photo Credit: TOM MORRIS/LATechSportsPix.com
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz Dave Nitz
Dave Nitz

General Kane McGuire

Louisiana Tech Mourns the Loss of Hall of Fame Broadcaster Dave Nitz

Dave Nitz — the legendary “Voice of the Bulldogs” for half a century — passed away at the age of 82

RUSTON – The news broke Tuesday morning. And with it, the hearts of Louisiana Tech fans everywhere.
 
Dave Nitz — the legendary "Voice of the Bulldogs" for half a century — passed away at the age of 82.
 
"For 50 years Dave saw it all — the great plays, the wins, the championships, the dynasties. His iconic voice allowed Tech fans to experience the game no matter their distance from Ruston or wherever the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters were competing," President Jim Henderson said. "The Voice of the Bulldogs has left an indelible mark on this University, and his influence remains in every broadcast. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Marlene, Jamie, Jeff, Jay, and the entire Bulldog fan base."
 
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Nitz," Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey said. "For 50 years, Dave was the conduit of Louisiana Tech athletics to our passionate fan base. He created sensational story-telling narratives for some of the greatest moments in Louisiana Tech athletics history. We are forever grateful for his service, energy and passion for Louisiana Tech. Dave and Louisiana Tech will be intertwined as a terrific broadcast and story-telling match. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and all of those who loved and cared for Dave. Rest in peace, Dave, and know that Louisiana Tech athletics is better because of your work."
 
A proud native of Milton, West Virginia, Dave's journey to Ruston was paved with a passion for the microphone. From early broadcasting days at Arkansas Tech, William & Mary, and Georgia Southern, he was a storyteller long before he ever set foot on LA Tech's campus.
 
Dave could also be heard on the airwaves covering minor league baseball in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. Then came the spring of 1974 — the NCAA District Tournament at old Arlington Stadium — when he first called LA Tech baseball, the sport he loved above all others.
 
That marked the beginning of something special.
 
Later that fall, Dave officially joined the Louisiana Tech Football Network. And over the next half century, he became the voice of Bulldog athletics behind the mic for football, basketball, and baseball. His calls weren't just descriptions of the action — they were memories etched in time.
 
By best estimates, Dave called more than 4,500 Louisiana Tech games. That's thousands of moments, plays, and stories told by someone who truly loved telling them.
 
Whether it was his trademark phrase — "You Gotta Love It!" — or the legendary call of Sean Cangelosi's touchdown grab against Alabama, repeated with pure Bulldog joy:

"Touchdown Bulldogs! Touchdown Bulldogs! Touchdown Bulldogs!"

Dave made moments last forever.
 
His postgame sign-off still rings softly in the minds of LA Tech fans everywhere:

"So long, everybody."

Now, it echoes with heartfelt goodbye.
 
A beloved figure both behind the mic and in the community, Dave was inducted into the LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He was named the Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year in 2009 and was honored numerous times as the state's top college broadcaster by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
 
Beyond the press box, Dave was a husband, a father, and a friend. He is survived by his wife Marlene, of Barboursville, West Virginia, and their three children — Jamie, Jeff, and Jay.
 
Fifty years. One voice. Countless memories.
 
(Funeral service is Saturday, June 28 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City. Visitation will be from Noon to 1:30 p.m. (open to the public) followed by a private ceremony at 2 p.m.)
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