Clippers, Kings, Angels PA Announcer David Courtney Dies At 56
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) -- David Courtney, the veteran public address announcer for the Los Angeles Clippers, Kings and Angels, died Thursday. He was 56.
The Clippers said he died in Los Angeles, but gave no other details. Courtney had missed Wednesday night's game against Minnesota because he was in the hospital awaiting an angiogram, according to his Twitter feed.
""Today our organization lost a good friend. In his years as public address announcer for Clippers' home games, David Courtney was a consummate professional who brought a unique passion and energy to every event," the Clippers wrote in a statement. "We are saddened by his passing, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Janet and the rest of his family. David will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched."
Courtney had announced Los Angeles Kings game for 24 years, including their run to the Stanley Cup championship last season, but he had been idled this season by the NHL lockout. He had spent the last 19 summers announcing Los Angeles Angels games.
"David was tremendously passionate about the Kings, our fans and the game of hockey. His time with the Kings dates back to the mid 1970s both in our PR office as our public relations director and also with work he did in our video department before he took over full-time Public Announcing duties at the Forum and STAPLES Center," Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille said on the Kings website.
"In the arena he was an institution — he was the voice of the Kings — and his work added so much to the live, in-game experience for our fans as it did for the Clippers and Angels as well. Next season would have been David' 35th year with our franchise, and on behalf of the entire Kings organization and AEG we are incredibly saddened by this news and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Janet and the rest of the Courtney family."
He was the voice of All-Star games in three different pro leagues, working the 2002 NHL event, baseball's 2010 event and last year's NBA All-Star game. He also worked the 1981 NBA finals, the 1993 and 2012 Stanley Cup finals and the 2002 World Series, won by the Angels.
Courtney was born on November 19, 1956.
