Legendary Denver sports host, Irv Brown passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday, February 3rd. Brown had been dealing with health complications on and off in the last year, the most recent being lymphoma which he was diagnosed with last week.
Brown’s long list of sports credentials go beyond being a radio host. In the 1950s, Brown was a three sport athlete at the University of Northern Colorado, he went on to coach high school and college baseball, began work as an ESPN analyst in 1979, refereed the Final Four six times and pioneered Denver sports radio.
“I don’t think there’s ever been anybody in Colorado who touched more lives than Irv Brown did in the world of sports,” said Irv’s longtime radio co-host Joe Williams.
Brown first joined Denver’s 630 KHOW radio in 1974 and later partnered with Denver Post columnist Woody Paige for a sports radio show on KWBZ. Brown would continue to make his mark in the sports radio industry, hosting The Irv and Joe Show for more than 25 years with Joe Williams. The Irv and Joe Show had stints in Denver on 104.3 The Fan, ESPN Radio 1600 and Mile High Sports Radio. The show came to an end in 2016 after Brown chose to retire from a 42-year media career.
“RIP to one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. A pioneer. A role model. A friend. Denver sports will never be the same.” Altitude Sports morning host, Vic Lombardi said in a tweet.
Following his 2016 media retirement, Brown continued to work as a fill-in radio host with Joe Williams who still broadcasts his show on Mile High Sports Radio. With an iconic career both on and off the court, Brown was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. A sports radio pioneer, Brown is credited with helping much of Denver’s sports media break into the business in recent decades.
Brown is survived by his wife of 62-years, Pat, their three sons Greg, Mike and Casey, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
