Jason Benetti will tackle the tall job of filling Dan Hicks’ sneakers Saturday.
Benetti assumes the decision for NBC’s broadcast of Notre Dame-Boston Faculty simply two days after Hicks, a longtime school soccer, golf and Olympic voice, died of an “acute sickness” on the age of 64.
On Wednesday, NBC Sports activities touted Hicks on the play-by-play name in a press launch, although sooner or later later, his spouse, “SportsCenter” anchor Hannah Storm, introduced his surprising demise.
“Our household is heartbroken by the sudden and surprising passing of Dan following an acute sickness,” Storm wrote in an announcement posted to X. “He was a faithful husband of over 30 years, loving father of our three daughters, and cherished good friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.”
Neither Benetti nor NBC has publicly acknowledged his fill-in position, although he’s listed in Notre Dame’s sport notes because the play-by-play man, with analyst Jason Garrett and reporter Caroline Pineda on the printed.
Hicks, who counted each one in all Michael Phelps’ gold medals, Tiger Woods’ memorable 2008 U.S. Open end and Lindsey Vonn’s storied profession among the many innumerable calls on his resume, devastated the sports activities world along with his premature passing.
“I’m heartbroken by the sudden lack of our good friend Dan Hicks,” Versant CEO Mark Lazarus mentioned in an announcement. “For many years, I had the privilege of working alongside Dan, however our friendship prolonged far past NBC Sports activities. Dan was one of many easiest at what he did, however what I’ll keep in mind most is the individual he was: a loyal good friend and a faithful husband and father. My household and I are pondering of Hannah, their youngsters and the complete Hicks household. We are going to miss him.”
Hicks referred to as Notre Dame soccer video games from 2013-17 and returned to the position in 2024.
“He had extra huge moments on his plate, and nailed each huge second,” Mike Tirico, the person who changed him in 2017, instructed the Golf Channel on Thursday. “You may’t consider a giant second that Dan didn’t have the suitable name, the suitable vitality, the suitable phrases.”
“Take into consideration each Michael Phelps gold medal received in Olympic swimming, and Dan doing that,” he added. “Take into consideration all the massive moments on the hill with all the good U.S. ski athletes on the Olympic Video games, and Dan was the voice.”
