This item crossed my desk as I was heading out the door the other day, and I've been meaning to post on the untimely death of sportscaster Paul Eells. The long-time voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks died last Sunday in a car crash, at the age of 70. He had been the play-by-play announcer for "Hawg" broadcasts for the past 28 years; before that, he was the voice of the Vanderbilt Commodores, and play-by-play man for his alma mater, the University of Iowa.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Eells, although we had mutual friends in Arkansas broadcast circles. To a person, they describe him as a true gentleman in a business often known for its egos. Similar sentiments were expressed by those who knew him from his TV and radio appearances (he was also sports director of Little Rock TV station KATV for almost three decades).
Paul Eells was, by all accounts, a thorooughly decent, honorable and compassionate man. He was also an outstanding sportscaster. It is fitting that most Arkansans will remember him more for his personal qualities than for his many memorable calls as the "voice of the Hawgs."
RIP.
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