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Release from the Phoenix Suns
PHOENIX SUNS RING OF HONOR MEMBER AL MCCOY PASSES AWAY AT 91
PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member and legendary radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy has passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
The longest tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, McCoy was widely known as the “dean of NBA broadcasters” for his years of service and unique broadcasting style. He served 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” calling his first game on September 27, 1972 and his last on May 11, 2023. McCoy’s unforgettable calls of the most memorable moments in Suns history, including three trips to the NBA Finals, and his trademark phrases from “Shazam!” to “Zing Go the Strings” to “Heartbreak Hotel” have cemented his legacy throughout Arizona and the NBA. His distinctive voice, vivid descriptions and deep knowledge of the game created a unique style that remained a staple for more than five decades. McCoy will forever be known as the Voice of the Phoenix Suns.
His many contributions to basketball and sports broadcasting were recognized when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The first play-by-play announcer inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and a 2009 inductee into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, McCoy earned the team’s highest honor when he became the 15th person inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2017.
Born April 26, 1933, in Williams, Iowa, McCoy’s interest in radio broadcasting began at the age of seven, while his first radio job came in 1951 in Webster City, Iowa as a freshman at Drake University. He arrived in Arizona in 1956 to do play-by-play for the Triple-A Phoenix Giants baseball club, a move that would forever shape his life and career. McCoy was preceded in death by his beloved wife (Georgia), a Valley artist who passed away in 2012. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Mike (Tonya), Jay (Jennis) and Jerry (Teri) and seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.
The McCoy Family: “As a father, he taught us the value of respect, loyalty, hard work, and love – both on and off the court. His passion, dedication and kindness touched countless lives, and while he may be gone, the impact he made will be felt for generations to come.”
Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia: “From his first call in 1972 to his last in 2023, Al McCoy was there for every defining moment in our history. He was the heartbeat of our organization, a cherished friend, a mentor to many and a legend whose voice brought countless unforgettable moments to life for generations of Suns fans. We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved Al, the voice of the Phoenix Suns for over five decades. Our thoughts go out to Al’s family, friends and to our entire Suns community.”
Phoenix Suns Head Coach Mike Budenholzer: “We lost one of my heroes. I can still hear Al’s voice in our living room and backyard calling the plays of Sweet D, Westy and Double A … SHAZAM!!! He brought the Suns into my life, like he did for generations of kids across Arizona. Al was an icon and he will be missed”
Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker: “I had the privilege of Al McCoy narrating the first eight years of my career. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor my second season, and it was then I really understood what a special talent he was. And over the course of my career, I’ve learned what an even more special person he was. We will miss Al, and I am so glad our legacies in Phoenix are forever connected.”
Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor Member Steve Nash: “I got to work with the great Al McCoy for 10 incredible years. His energy and spirit were unmatched and I’ll never forget all the conversations and laughs we shared. He was the teammate that never wore a jersey. He loved his Phoenix Suns as much as anyone and his legacy will endure the generations of Suns fans to come. Lots of love to the one and only Al McCoy.
Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor Member Charles Barkley: “This is a sad day for the Suns and the Suns family. Al McCoy represented everything that is great about Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and people who love basketball. I was blessed and honored to work with Al and I’m gonna miss him.”
