Anyone who knew Bob Lowen surely has a story or two to tell about a special moment with him, whether at work or at play.
As we all gather with family and friends during this Thanksgiving season, I would like to give thanks for having the privilege of knowing Lowen.
After graduating from Emporia State, Lowen, who grew up in south-central Kansas, came to Fort Hays State University in the early 1960s to work as sports information director and an instructor of journalism. He later served as the director of Information Services, which later was changed to University Relations. An avid golfer himself, he also coached the Tiger golf team.
A humble man with the perfect voice for announcing, Lowen was just that – the Voice of the Tigers — as the public address announcer at FHSU basketball games for 25 years. He was easy to spot in a crowd, sporting a headful of silver hair into his 80s. His warm smile and twinkle in his eye made even a stranger feel welcome.
The Hays community was saddened last Friday when it learned that Lowen, 82, had died from complications following surgery at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita.
Lowen retired from FHSU in 1998. Even in retirement, he was a faithful fan of the Black and Gold and still attended Tiger football and basketball games.
I will miss him. He was one of my first writing instructors at FHSU, my adviser, my mentor – and I admired him immensely. While considering writing a tribute to Lowen this week, I thought I probably couldn’t say it any better than I did 20-some years ago.
Following is a column from the mid-1990s about the Voice of the Tigers, written when I was working as sports editor of the Hays Daily News.
For those close to Lowen, may the memories of those days bring a smile to your face. For those never lucky enough to know him, here’s a glimpse of the man who meant so much to so many.
• • •
Lowen says so long
March 1, 1995, The Hays Daily News
The voice of the Tigers was speechless for just a moment Tuesday night.
Bob Lowen, the longtime public address announcer for Fort Hays State University men’s basketball games, was honored for 25 years of work at the microphone.
FHSU President Edward Hammond and Athletic Director Tom Spicer marched Lowen to midcourt of Gross Memorial Coliseum just before the game between Fort Hays State and New Mexico Highlands.
They presented a plaque to Lowen, who is retiring for his P.A. duties after this season.
Lower, normally a model of poise, was caught off guard with the presentation but quickly regained his composure and took his customary seat at the scorer’s table.
“Welcome to Gross Memorial Coliseum and Tiger basketball,” came a familiar voice over the speakers.
After Lowen introduced the opponent’s starting lineup, Tiger fans began clapping even before Lowen rang out those oh-so-familiar words.
“And nowwwww, the Tigers,” Lowen said, his voice rising with every word.
One by one, FHSU’s starters were announced, the final one the loudest.
“At forward, a six-five senior from Annapolis, Maryland, Dennnnis Edwarrrrds.”
The fans might not have know it, but Lowen had just set the tone for the game.
• Some things you take for granted.
One of those was Bob Lowen at the mic for Tiger home basketball games.
Almost since GMC opened in 1973, Lowen became known as the Voice of the Tigers.
He started announcing at Sheridan Coliseum in 1970 and shared P.A. duties in GMC for a couple of years before taking over the job solo in ’75.
Fans probably didn’t really think about how much information he was feeding them.
Listen closely to Lowen, and you would realize he was telling you who came into the game when, and for whom; who fouled, and how many fouls that player had; who scored, and quite often, who dished out the assist.
“A lot of times you go on the road, and you can barely hear the name of the kid who scored,” Lowen said. “Fans want to know what’s going on. Listen to me when the opponent scores a basket; you will hear his name.”
What fans might remember best about Lowen is the way he announced – and pronounced – the local players’ names.
The more syllables, the better.
One of his favorite names over the years was Cesar Fantauzzi, who played at FHSU during the 1980-81 season.
You didn’t need to know how to spell it.
Anyone associated with Tiger basketball knew who “Seee-zarrr Fan-tooozeee” was.
“You want to get the fans into the game,” Lowen said. “It was really fun trying to do that.”
Lowen has seen all kinds of coaches, including a few he was glad to see leave GMC.
“Some coaches are always picking on the officials for making ‘bad’ calls,” he said. “Just once, I think officials should have the privilege to say, ‘Coach, you’re really doing a lousy job of coaching. Get out of that zone and go man-to-man, and you’ll probably win the game.’
“Wouldn’t that be great?”
Lowen has seen all kinds of fans, too – ones who threw things on the floor, others who have hollered so loudly you couldn’t hear Lowen over the loudspeaker.
“I lose my cool when I see people act like fools at a ball game,” Lowen said. “Once, in Sheridan, I saw a referee get knocked out when someone threw something that hit him in the head.
Absolutely, holler and scream and get into the game, but don’t throw things on the floor.”
Lowen, director of FHSU’s University Relations, sure did enjoy this part-time gig.
“The more (the fans) got into it,” he said, “the more I got into it.”
All the way to the end.
At the conclusion of Tuesday’s game, Lowen said what he always says at the end of a game.
“Thank you for coming. Thank you for your enthusiasm. And please drive carefully.”
If the Tigers don’t play at home anymore this season – that won’t be determined until after this weekend’s conference tournaments – then Tuesday’s game will have been Lowen’s last behind the mic.
Lowen, who will turn 59 this year, wanted to get out of announcing while he was still in good health.
Lowen was a picture of health as he walked out of GMC Tuesday.
He stepped lightly as he walked beside his wife, Bev.
As Lowen went into the cold, wintry night, I couldn’t help but think, “Thank you for coming. Thank you for your enthusiasm. And please drive carefully.”
• • •
I read – and re-read – that last paragraph, over and over. It made me smile at the irony of its meaning.
Thank you for coming to Hays, Bob Lowen. Thank you for your enthusiasm. May you rest in peace.
~ Diane Gasper-O’Brien, a feature writer for University Relations and Marketing at Fort Hays State University, is an FHSU graduate who got her start in writing in the offices of FHSU Sports Information and Information Services.
Editor’s Note: Diane Gasper-O’Brien also has been the best feature writer in the state of Kansas for nearly a generation. Hays Post thanks her for sharing these and other memories with our readers. — Ron Fields