Voice of the Wildcats

"Alan Sullivan recounts the story of his father's broadcasting career covering University of Kentucky sports, horse racing, and Cincinnati Reds baseball at the midpoint of the Twentieth Century. The author meticulously researched the details of the UK sports covered by his father and skillfully uses oral history interviews to provide insightful and entertaining stories."—Terry Birdwhistell, Dean of University of Kentucky Libraries

"'If Claude had lived, no one would have heard of Al Michaels'. Those were the words of Hall of Famer Broadcaster Lindsey Nelson prior to a UK vs Tennessee game in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was correct. Coach Adolph Rupp once said to me, 'if Claude were alive I am not certain they would have filled Rupp Arena'. Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration? In either case these men who knew him and those of us who listened and worked with him knew he was a man of extreme talent. Before television he was the eyes of the fan. He made you hear every crack of the helmet, bounce of the ball, feel the temperature and the wind in the air, hear the squeak of the shoes, smell the sweat of the game. He took you inside the game, through him you knew how Joe Nuxhall or Bob Perky was pitching, Ed Bailey was catching and Frank Robinson and Veda Pinson were hitting, or if Johnny Temple and Roy McMillian were going to turn the double play. Without being a 'homer,' with his special use of the English language you knew who he was for. Before The Cincinnati Reds, HE WAS THE VOICE OF THE WILDCATS."—Ralph Hacker, University of Kentucky basketball announcer

"Claude Sullivan could paint a picture with words. . . . He could transport you to the center of the action. . . . When you listened to Claude Sullivan call a game . . . it was if you had the best seat in the house."—David Sullivan, Former EPSN Anchor and son of Claude Sullivan, from The Best Seat in the House

"He was the 'Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats.' His credentials were incredible, for a young man, and he was a young man, he was 27 when I met him when I came to the University and some of the players were 23 and probably when he started he was only a year or two older than some of the players."—Cliff Hagan, former player 1951 NCAA Champion & Former Athletic Director

"He did his homework, he went to practices, he talked to the coaches, he talked to coach Rupp and Bryant and others, and he knew what it was about. So I think the ones that came along later, Cawood, JB Faulkner also heard him broadcast, Earl Boardman came in as I recall. I think Claude was kind of the model."—CM Newton- UK Athletics Director 1989-2000/UK Basketball 1949-1951 1951 NCAA Champion team

"He (Claude) called the football games for Kentucky the basketball games and he went on the do the Cincinnati Reds baseball, a three letter man, they were hard to find especially in the broadcasting businessand I kind of learned by listening to him."—Vernon Hatton former UK Player 1958 NCAA Championship team.

"Claude Sullivan taught me one thing and that was "everything in life is based on preparation because if you prepare, you will succeed." I never saw anyone work harder at preparing than Claude Sullivan did, which is what made him the great announcer and the great broadcaster that he was."—Jim Host, former announcer and president of Host Communications

"I grew up listening to Claude Sullivan call UK football and basketball on the radio. Television was still in its infancy, and the radio play-by-play man was the ultimate communicator; painting a word picture as the action unfolded. None was better than Claude Sullivan, a true wordsmith, who brought the scene to life. I am certain that my own broadcasting style has been greatly influenced by those early years of listening to Claude Sullivan and Cawood Ledford. Any Wildcat fan who has been enthralled by the vivid descriptions of great moments in UK sports will enjoy the story of Claude Sullivan, lovingly told by his son Alan."—Tom Hammond, NBC Sports

"What an inspiring and factual account about the life and times of a true pioneer in sports broadcasting, Claude Sullivan. His insightful and colorful broadcasts of Kentucky Basketball and Football games created a fan base that has become the 'Big Blue Nation.' Before television, his exciting and picturesque description of game action left listeners spellbound, visualizing they were actually at the games. It was such a tragedy his life was cut short because Claude was truly the original 'Voice of the Wildcats.' This book is a must read for every Kentucky fan!"—Adolph "Herky" Rupp Jr.

"A treasure trove of recorded broadcasts."—WUKY

"[A] splendid biography that will bring back many exciting memories for oldtime Wildcat fans."—Northern Kentucky Tribune

"Providing a behind-the-scenes look into one of UK basketball's most triumphant periods, Wildcat fans and those interested in the history of radio will find plenty to enjoy."—Register of the Kentucky Historical Society