BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Longtime Bakersfield College (BC) sports announcer Carl Bryan died at the age of 77 on Wednesday morning, according to a family friend.
Bryan died in the hospital after being hit by a car in Downtown Bakersfield earlier this month.
Bryan was often referred to as "BC's Golden Voice" and "the Voice of the Renegades," titles he had gained by being an announcer during BC's football and basketball games, as well as track and field events, for decades.
Bryan retired from announcing earlier this year.
Bakersfield College has released a statement on the passing of Bryan. The full statement can be read below:
"Longtime Bakersfield College sports announcer Carl Bryan passed away this morning. He was 77 years old.
'Today, the Renegade family mourns one of its own. Carl was a legend known as the Voice of the Renegades, his dedication to Bakersfield College athletics and his professionalism will be remembered by all who were fortunate to attend a sporting event,' said Chancellor Sonya Christian. 'I was always happy to hear Carl when I attended games as President of Bakersfield College and as Chancellor prior to his retirement earlier this year.'
Carl Bryan came to Bakersfield College in 1973 where he started as a volunteer at Bakersfield College home track events where he served as a high jump official for eight track seasons. In 1981 Carl began announcing the B.C. home track and field in Memorial Stadium after receiving an invitation from coach Bob Covey.
Carl had a strong knowledge of sports and a strong voice which led to invitations from other meet administrators to announce track and field meets throughout the county, in the San Joaquin Valley and at six State Community College Track & Field Championship meets. Carl also was the announcer for thirteen high school Valley Championships, two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national meets, two national Junior Olympics meets, the World Masters Track & Field Meet and the California State High School Track & Field Meet. He also announced football, volleyball, basketball, and softball throughout his career.
In 2022, Carl retired his microphone after over 35 years giving voice to Renegade Athletics.
'Carl served as the public address announcer for over ten Renegade Athletics teams. His knowledge of sports and ability to capture details and accuracy in announcing made him a valuable member of our athletics family,' said Athletics Director Reggie Bolton. 'Carl’s legacy will be remembered by those who had the pleasure of attending our athletics events and hearing his enthusiasm for narrating the action'."
