KU’s plans to replace Falkenstien still in limbo

By Steve Rottinghaus     Jan 7, 2006

Kansas University officials have asked veteran announcer Max Falkenstien to scale back his retirement plans.

“We hope that Max will continue to be part of the broadcasts, particularly home games,” said Jim Marchiony, associate athletic director in charge of external affairs.

“We’ve talked to him about it and we’ll talk some more,” Marchiony said.

Falkenstien, 81, has broadcast KU football and basketball games since 1946. He has said he plans to retire after the 2005-06 basketball season.

“We’ll probably work something out,” Falkenstien said, noting he could be talked into doing short, pre-recorded commentary on Jayhawk tradition and history.

The process for selecting Falkenstien’s successor, Marchiony said, has not been determined.

“We’re not going to rush,” Marchiony said. “We’re going to take our time. We’ll talk about what’s best for the football program, what’s best for the basketball program and go from there.”

It’s possible, he said, that the football commentator may not be the basketball commentator.

Though they are hired by ESPN Plus, broadcasters are subject to approval by the KU athletic department.

A recent story on plans for replacing longtime Kansas University sportscaster Max Falkenstien incorrectly noted that play-by-play announcer Bob Davis was a candidate for Falkenstien’s role as color commentator. There are no plans to move Davis from play-by-play to color. He is expected back next year.

Play-by-play announcer Bob Davis is expected back next year.

Marchiony said David Lawrence would be a candidate for Falkenstien’s role as color commentator.

“It would be foolish for us not to discuss David,” Marchiony said. “If the question is, ‘Is he in the running?’ the answer is yes. Beyond that, I don’t know.”

Lawrence played tight end and guard for the Jayhawks from 1977 to 1981. He provides sideline commentary during football games and hosts the “Crimson and Blue Line” football and basketball pregame show. During basketball season, he also hosts the postgame “Jayhawk Locker Room Show.”

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