May 1, 2004
WACO, Texas -
Frank Fallon, the venerable "Voice of the Baylor Bears" from 1953-95, died Friday, April 30, at his home in Waco. Funeral services are Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Waco. Visitation hours will be held Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Connally-Compton Funeral Home.
Known for his unmistakable voice, smooth delivery and immense knowledge of the games he announced, Fallon spent more than forty years describing the action of Baylor football and basketball games, 45 years broadcasting Texas high school football regular season and playoff games around the state, and two decades as the public address "Voice of the NCAA Final Four."
Fallon's career also included television play-by-play of Southwest Conference basketball games for NBC and ESPN, a 29-year stint as general manager of KWTX Radio in Waco and more than a decade as Baylor's coordinator of broadcast activities.
Fallon received numerous honors throughout his illustrious broadcasting career, including "Top 10 All-Time Radio Play-by-Play Announcers" by the Texas Sportswriters Association; five-time Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) Sportscaster of the Year; seven-time Associated Press Best Radio Play-By-Play Announcer; member of the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame; inductee into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame; and honorary member of the Texas High School Football Coaches Association.
In 2001, Fallon received the Chris Schenkel Award, presented annually by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame to a college football broadcaster on the local level who has excelled in his field and contributed to his community, and the Baylor Communications Award. The Waco Chamber of Commerce also presents an award named in his honor - the Frank Fallon Sportsmanship Award - to a person who has made a significant contribution to basketball in Waco during its annual November Tip-Off Luncheon.
Fallon was born in El Paso and graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, June; four sons, Steve, Mark, Mike and Kyle; and five grandchildren.
