Gary Bender Biography
Gary Bender ( Born Gary Nedrow Bender ) is a retired American sportscaster and 2008 inductee into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
He officially retired, April 13, 2011, from Fox Sports Arizona network after 18 years calling the NBA’s Phoenix Suns games. He was born in Norton, Kansas, and raised in a nearby town of Ulysses, Kansas. He is also co-author with Michael Johnson of the biography Call of the Game, in which he shares his life story, tips on how to become a better broadcaster, and his Christian testimony.
He did a series of Kendall Motor Oil commercials in the mid-1980s. In the first five months of 2001, Bender presided as host of the nationally syndicated Focus on the Family radio show after the resignation of the previous host Mike Trout (1985–2000) because of an extramarital affair. Bender was replaced on a full-time basis by Focus vice president of broadcasting John Fuller.
Gary Bender Education
Talking about his educational background, Gary graduated from Ulysses High School in 1958. He then attended Wichita State University (then known as the University of Wichita), graduating with a journalism degree in 1962 and a master’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1964.
Gary Bender Career
He began his broadcasting career calling games at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS and then went on to do the same at the University of Kansas’ football and basketball programs in the 1960s. He also spent years as a broadcaster in Wisconsin and called all of the Wisconsin Athletic Association championship games, as well as Green Bay Packers radio and Milwaukee Brewers television in the early 1970s.
He did play-by-play for the NFL on CBS from 1975 to 1981, and again in 1986 (among his partners were Johnny Unitas, Sonny Jurgensen, Hank Stram, and John Madden, all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) and the 1981 NBA Finals along with color commentators Rick Barry and Bill Russell, both members of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
He was CBS’ first play-by-play announcer for the network’s coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, calling the Final Four alongside Billy Packer in 1982, 1983 and 1984. In 1982 and 1983, he was CBS’ lead college football play-by-play man.
ABC Sports (1987-1992)
On October 27, 1987, Bender (along with Lynn Swann) called the Monday Night Football game between the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. That game had been scheduled for October 26, but when the Minnesota Twins (who at the time, shared the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome with the Vikings) played Game 7 of the World Series that day, the football game was moved to Monday and shown to a regional audience. In 1988, Bender did play-by-play for the American League Championship Series alongside Baseball Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Reggie Jackson. He also announced college football games for ABC Sports, where he formerly worked alongside Dick Vermeil.
Gary Bender Age
Bender was born on September 1, 1940, in Oklahoma, United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on September 1st every year.
Gary Bender Family
His granddaughter, Landry Bender is an actress. After doing our research, details about his parents are not available and it is also not known if he has any siblings.
Gary Bender Wife
Bender is married to Linda Bender. She is a passionate animal advocate, educator, and author. Linda started one of the first pet therapy programs in Cincinnati as part of their state mental health program.
Gary Bender Son
He has two children, Trey Bender and Brett Bender. His son, Trey Bender, is also a sportscaster for ESPNU, ESPN Plus, American Sports Network, and a part-time host for Yahoo! Sports Radio. He also played Pop Warner Little Scholars.
Gary Bender Body Measurements
Height: ft in'(Meters or cm)
Weight: Pounds(lbs)
Shoe Size: Not Available
Body Shape: Not Available
Hair Colour: Blonde
Gary Bender Net Worth
The retired news anchor, Gary, has an estimated net worth of $2 million which he has earned through his successful career as a reporter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Bender
Who is Gary?
Bender is one of America’s best-known and loved journalist and reporter.
How old is Gary?
Bender stands at a height of ft” in’
Is Gary married?
Bender is married to his lovely wife Linda.
How much is Gary worth?
He has an accomplished journalist with an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Is Gary dead or alive?
Bender is still alive and in good health.
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