Remembrances of Dave Sitton flooded social media after word of his death Monday morning.
Below is a tiny sampling of that outpouring of affection for the longtime Arizona Wildcats broadcaster, rugby coach and civic leader.
For more tributes, see Sitton’s Facebook page and check out a Twitter search.
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Dan Hicks, NBC sportscaster and former Channel 4 sports reporter:
R.I.P. Dave Sitton. Great friend, great human being & Wildcat for life. #BearDown
— Dan Hicks (@DanHicksNBC) August 13, 2013
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Heath Bray, former Arizona football player and assistant coach:
“I want everyone to know how much of a loss our friend Dave Sitton is. I have had the pleasure of meeting many people in my life. I have never met a person that I liked more than Dave. I have a deep hole in my heart today over his loss. He was one of the smartest, nicest, most sincere, and informed men that I will ever know. He was so supportive of me, and so many of us. We lost one of the greatest wildcats ever today. He is one of the people that I cant wait to have a beer with in heaven. You are missed bro. Cheers.
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Brian Jeffries, the longtime radio voice of the Arizona Wildcats:
“It’s taken several days to process the loss of a friend and an outstanding broadcast partner. I met Dave Sitton not a month after being hired by KMGX radio. That was over 30 years ago. Dave was going to take over the UA baseball broadcasts the following spring and I was the guy running the radio station while he was on the air. It worked perfectly. Dave knew baseball and I knew radio. He taught me the college game and I hope I taught him a little about modulation.
“Several years later the broadcasts shifted from a marketing firm directly to the station. That gave me a chance to work with Dave on the air. We broadcast UA baseball together for nearly a decade. Traveling the Six Pac was a little crazy considering most of the stadiums lacked a press box. We spent some cold nights and hot days covering the Cats.
“One night after a game at Cal we drove to the wharf in SF. There was a non-descript bar with what I’ll call a “bad band” playing to an audience of nine or ten possibly sobber patrons. I knew Dave wanted more than anything to get on stage and sing his signature song, Mack the Knife. It took some negotiating, but he pulled if off and the lead singer of band quickly grabbed the mic knowing that Dave was the most talented guy in the room.
“We traveled thousands of miles together and while it was hard work, the payoff was back-to-back trips to the CWS and a National Championship in 1986. Dave and I worked together again when IMG produced the local UA telecasts for three years. I was appointed the executive producer, a job that I had no experience or business holding. If not for Dave it might have been my last job. We’ve lost a great one, but those who knew him will be forever blessed.”
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Jody Oehler, sports talk show host, 1490-AM:
Dave Sitton was a titan of Tucson. A genuinely fine human being. His zest for life on a daily basis was and will continue to be inspiring.
— Jody Oehler (@jodyoehler) August 12, 2013
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Jennie Finch, former Arizona All-American pitcher:
Sad to hear of the passing of a wonderful @UofA Wildcat Dave Sitton. Prayers go out to the Sitton family!
— Jennie Finch (@jfinch27) August 15, 2013
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Martha McSally, who ran against Sitton and others in the 2012 Republican primary in Arizona’s 2nd congressional district:
“What a tragedy that Dave Sitton passed from this world suddenly today. I saw him Friday and he looked happy and healthy. We talked for a while and I gave him a hug with no clue it would be the last time I would see him. He was a wonderful man committed so deeply to this community and will be incredibly missed. We are all better people for knowing him and should strive to carry on his legacy of commitment and service. My thoughts and prayers are with his daughters Olivia and Elizabeth. I am reminded again to treat each day as a gift.”
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Jay Dobyns, former Arizona football player:
“A dear friend, gentleman and sportsman passed today, Mr. Dave Sitton. Dave and I have been close since 1984 when we became acquainted as he promoted my all-American candidacy; been friends ever since. I have been on his radio show many times. An Arizona legend, Tucson icon, Congressional candidate, Arizona Rugby coach for as long as I can remember, sports commentator, Master of Ceremonies extraordinaire, lover of youngsters and young athletes, ambassador for the UofA, kind, gentle, articulate and intelligent man is gone. Our world is a lesser place without you Dave. RIP.”
Also read Dobyns’ blog on Sitton at jaydobynsgroup.com
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Tom Duddleston, longtime media relations director for the Arizona athletic department:
Dave Sitton was one of those people who'd say, 'What a day to be an American.' It wasn't jingoism; the flag lapel pin was a pledge.
— Tom Duddleston (@TomDudd) August 12, 2013
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Lacee Collins, former Tucson sportscaster, current employee at 1290-AM KCUB:
Once interviewed one of Dave Sitton's Rugby players about him: "He bleeds red and blue." Don't think there's a simpler way to describe him
— Lacee Collins (@LaceecollinsAZ) August 12, 2013
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Nancy Kinkaid, author and wife of former Arizona football coach Dick Tomey:
“Tucson will not be quite the same without Dave Sitton. We loved him and were always so happy to see his smiling face. No one ever handled personal adversity with more grace and humor. He was inspirational in that way. In the world of give and take Dave was always on the give side. Tucson has lost a lovely man. And we are deeply saddened to lose such a dear friend.”
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Joe Cavaleri, the Ooh Aah Man:
“Dave Sitton was a great man! He never had a bad thing to say about anyone! I am proud to say he was my friend and he will be missed! My heart goes out to his two daughters, Olivia and Elizabeth. You girls can be comforted by the fact that your dad was a hero to many people in Tucson especially me. Rest In Peace Dave, I Love You.”
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Steve Kerr, former Arizona basketball player:
Very sad to hear about the passing of Dave Sitton. He was a good man- broadcaster, husband and father. He'll be missed in Tucson.
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerrTNT) August 13, 2013
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David Bagga, former Arizona basketball player:
Oh my goodness Dave sitton passed away, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, first class guy, heaven got a good one! #BearDown #rip
— David Bagga (@davidbagga) August 12, 2013
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Steve Rivera, longtime Tucson sports journalist:
“When Who Wants to be a Millionaire” was popular, I thought if I was on it he’d be my phone-a-friend. He knew a lot about a lot. He was Google before Google was Google. Fabulous talent.”
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Solomon Hill, former Arizona basketball player:
prayers to the family members of Dave Sitton #alwaysawildcat #thevoice
— Solomon Hill (@kingxsolo) August 12, 2013
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David Kelly, KOLD-Channel 13 sports reporter:
Just sad right now about death of Dave Sitton. One of finest individuals I've met in my 5 yrs in #Tucson. Thanks Dave for your kindness.
— David Kelly (@DavidKellyTNN) August 12, 2013
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Ryan Recker, former KVOA-Channel 4 sportscaster:
“I’ve spent the past several hours collecting my thoughts about William David Sitton. Like everyone else, I’m in disbelief. But also like everyone else, I’m proud to say that I knew this man that was always ready to lend a helping hand, share his advice, a story, and even a cocktail. Dave Sitton was first-class all the way. Whether you knew him as a friend, a coach, an announcer, or from one of the countless other hats he wore, you knew you were encountering a genuine human being whose spirit and kindness will never be forgotten.”
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Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star sports columnist, on Sitton’s love of the Beach Boys:
Somewhere in heaven today, Dave Sitton is talking Beach Boys with Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, two Beach Boys originals, just like Dave
— Greg Hansen (@ghansen711) August 12, 2013
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Jack Murphy, NAU basketball coach and former UA basketball staff member:
Sad to hear about Dave Sitton passing away today. Was always so kind and courteous no matter who you were. My prayers are with his family.
— Jack Murphy (@NAUcoachMurphy) August 13, 2013
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Mike Feder, general manager of the Tucson Padres:
Very sad day with passing of Dave Sitton, a tremendous person. We all need to live our life w/ same zeal Dave did http://t.co/ufrk3MZ5Fg
— Mike Feder (@MikeFeder) August 13, 2013
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Former UA rugby player Chris Stevens posted a tribute on Facebook to Sitton, putting a black band with the initials W.D.S. — William David Sitton — across an Arizona rugby logo. Many of Sitton’s former players followed suit by making this their profile picture:
