Following is a statement from the Los Angeles Clippers concerning the team’s long time public address announcer David Courtney, who died in Los Angeles earlier Thursday:
“Today our organization lost a good friend. In his years as public address announcer for Clippers’ home games, David Courtney was a consummate professional who brought a unique passion and energy to every event. We are saddened by his passing, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Janet and the rest of his family. David will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.”
Clippers.com
David Courtney, voice of Angels, Kings and Clippers, diesDavid Courtney, the long-time public address announcer for the Angels and Kings and the PA voice for the Clippers since 2008, has died, the Angels announced on Thursday. He was 56.
Courtney began announcing for the Kings in 1989 and for the Angels in 1994, and he also served as the Los Angeles Rams PA announcer for three years before the NFL team moved to St. Louis in 1995.
“The Angels family is deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing,” the team said in a statement. “He was a gentle soul, a consummate professional and an unforgettable voice tied to several professional Southern California sports teams.Courtney began working in pro sports when he was 14, starting as a public relations assistant for the Kings in 1971. In 1978, at age 21, Courtney took a full-time PR job with a hockey team in Houston, and when that club folded two years later, he remained in Houston and began a successful broadcasting career.His work as an announcer led to voice roles in the movies Tooth Fairy, Angels in the Outfield and 61* and television’s Home Improvement.
Mike DiGiovanna, LA Times
Courtney doing player introductions for game 6 of the Memphis Series
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbwWNq6OB8[/youtube]
56 is far too young.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of David Courtney.
