Gary Bender facts for kids

Gary Nedrow Bender (born September 1, 1940) is a retired American sportscaster. He is famous for describing the action in many sports games. In 2008, he was added to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Gary officially stopped working on April 13, 2011. His last job was with Fox Sports Arizona, where he called NBA games for the Phoenix Suns for 18 years. He also worked for the NBA on TNT, especially during the NBA Playoffs.

About Gary Bender

Starting His Career

Gary Bender was born in Norton, Kansas, and grew up in Ulysses, Kansas. He finished high school in Ulysses in 1958. He then went to Wichita State University, where he studied journalism and graduated in 1962. Later, he earned a master's degree from the University of Kansas in 1964.

Gary began his career by calling games for Hutchinson Community College. After that, he announced football and basketball games for the University of Kansas in the 1960s. He also worked in Wisconsin for several years. There, he called many championship games and announced for the Green Bay Packers on radio and the Milwaukee Brewers on TV in the early 1970s.

Working for CBS Sports (1975-1987)

From 1975 to 1981, and again in 1986, Gary was a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on CBS. He worked with famous football players like Johnny Unitas and John Madden. He also called the 1981 NBA Finals with basketball legends Rick Barry and Bill Russell.

Gary was the first play-by-play announcer for CBS's coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. He called the Final Four games in 1982, 1983, and 1984. He was also the main announcer for college football games on CBS in 1982 and 1983.

Working for ABC Sports (1987-1992)

In 1987, Gary Bender announced a special Monday Night Football game. This game between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings was moved to Monday because the Minnesota Twins were playing in the 1987 World Series on Sunday.

In 1988, Gary called games for the 1988 American League Championship Series in baseball. He worked with Baseball Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Reggie Jackson. He also announced college football games for College Football on ABC.

Baseball on ABC

Gary Bender was the second main play-by-play announcer for ABC's baseball coverage in 1987 and 1988. He called the backup Monday Night Baseball games. He also worked as a reporter and interviewer for ABC's 1987 World Series coverage.

Working for TNT Sports

Gary also called NFL games for TNT from 1992 to 1994. He then announced for The NBA on TNT from 1992 to 1995. He returned to TNT in 2004 for the NBA Playoffs and again in 2009. On December 17, 2009, he filled in for another announcer to call a game between the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Working for FSN-Arizona and Versus

For 18 years, Gary Bender was the TV play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Suns on Fox Sports Net (FSN-Arizona). He worked with former Suns players Eddie Johnson and Scott Williams. In 2006, he also became the play-by-play announcer for the Versus network. There, he covered Mountain West Conference football games.

His Life Outside of Sports

Gary Bender co-wrote a book called Call of the Game with Michael Johnson. In the book, he shares his life story and gives tips on how to become a good broadcaster. He also talks about his Christian faith.

Gary is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity from his time at Wichita State. His son, Trey, is also a sportscaster. Trey even played his father in a TV show called Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Gary's granddaughter, Landry Bender, is an actress known for her roles in Crash & Bernstein and Fuller House.

Career Timeline

• 1969–1975: WKOW-TV Madison, Sports Director
• 1970–1974: Green Bay Packers Play-by-play (radio)
• 1975: Milwaukee Brewers Play-by-play (TV)
• 1975–1981, 1986: NFL on CBS Play-by-play
• 1977, 1979—1986: NBA on CBS Play-by-Play
• 1981–1987: College Basketball on CBS Play-by-Play
• 1982–1986: College Football on CBS Play-by-Play
• 1987–1988: MLB on ABC #2 Play-by-Play
• 1987: World Series Reporter
• 1987–1992: College Football on ABC Play-by-Play
• 1988–1991: Phoenix Cardinals Play-by-Play
• 1992–1994: NFL on TNT Play-by-Play
• 1992–1995, 2004, 2009: NBA on TNT Play-by-play
• 1992–2011: Phoenix Suns Play-by-Play on FSN Arizona
• 1995–1998: St. Louis Rams Play-by-play (radio)
• 1999–2000: Chicago Bears Play-by-play (radio)
• 2003–2005: College Football on ESPN Play-by-Play
• 2006: College Football on Versus Play-by-Play