Howard King, the voice of Michigan Stadium, dies at 83

Howard King, the longtime voice of Michigan Stadium, died Wednesday in Traverse City. He was 83.

The news was reported by John U. Bacon, who cited current public address announcer and King’s successor Carl Grapentine.

King served as the PA announcer from 1972-2005. According to mgoblue.com, King started his announcing career at Michigan with legendary broadcaster Bob Ufer, calling his first game in 1972 in the Wolverines’ season opener against Northwestern.

“It was only the third day that I had been in Ann Arbor and I was working to get my insurance here and everyone told me about Bob Ufer,” King told the team’s official website in 2005 of his arrival in 1972.

“I liked football, he loved football and I was going to ask him how I could help him out in the booth. He told me the PA position was open and I then asked him if he could help me get an audition. Next thing you know, I auditioned and Don Canham gave me the job.”

King’s last game at Michigan Stadium was a 25-21 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 19, 2005.

“I’ve been treated extremely well by everyone at Michigan,” King said. “I’ve had a lot of fun and many great memories.”

Michigan associate athletic director and football spokesman David Ablauf tweeted: "Michigan lost a great ambassador and an iconic voice that reverberated throughout Ann Arbor on football Saturdays."