History of Verne Lundquist in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 12, 2025

Verne Lundquist is a retired American sportscaster widely recognized for his decades-long career with CBS Sports. He became famous for his enthusiastic and memorable play-by-play commentary, particularly in college football and basketball, and golf, developing a signature style marked by dramatic calls and folksy expressions. Lundquist's voice became synonymous with major sporting events, and his memorable calls are etched in sports history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 17, 1940: Verne Lundquist Born

On July 17, 1940, Merton Laverne "Verne" Lundquist Jr. was born. He later became a well known American sportscaster, especially known for his long career with CBS Sports.

Others born on this day/year

1958: Omega Tau Fraternity Founding

In 1958, Verne Lundquist was one of the founders of the Omega Tau Fraternity at Texas Lutheran University.

1962: Attendance at Augustana Seminary

In 1962, Verne Lundquist attended Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. During this time, he also worked as a disc jockey at WOC in Davenport, Iowa.

1962: Graduation from Texas Lutheran University

In 1962, Verne Lundquist graduated from Texas Lutheran University (formerly Texas Lutheran College).

1967: Joins Cowboys Radio Network

In 1967, Verne Lundquist joined the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network, marking a significant step in his early broadcasting career.

1970: Announcer for Bowling for Dollars

In 1970, Verne Lundquist became the announcer for the sports show "Bowling for Dollars" in Dallas, Texas. The show aired on WFAA-TV.

1974: Joins ABC Sports

In 1974, Verne Lundquist began working for ABC Sports.

1974: End of Bowling for Dollars Announcer Role

In 1974, Verne Lundquist's role as the announcer for "Bowling for Dollars" in Dallas, Texas came to an end.

1977: Paired with Brad Sham

In 1977, Verne Lundquist was paired with Brad Sham on the Cowboys Radio Network.

1977: Texas Sportscaster of the Year

In 1977, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named Verne Lundquist as Texas Sportscaster of the Year for his accomplishments from his time in Dallas.

1981: Leaves ABC Sports

In 1981, Verne Lundquist's tenure with ABC Sports came to an end.

1982: Joins CBS

In 1982, Verne Lundquist joined CBS Sports.

1983: Texas Sportscaster of the Year

In 1983, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named Verne Lundquist as Texas Sportscaster of the Year for his accomplishments from his time in Dallas.

1984: Departure from the Cowboys Radio Network

Verne Lundquist concluded his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network in 1984, ending a notable chapter in his broadcasting career.

1992: 1992 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Announcer

During the 1992 Winter Olympics, Verne Lundquist and Scott Hamilton served as the announcers for figure skating events. Their commentary was later parodied on Saturday Night Live.

1994: 1994 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Announcer

During the 1994 Winter Olympics, Verne Lundquist and Scott Hamilton served as the announcers for figure skating events. Their commentary was later parodied on Saturday Night Live.

1995: Joins TNT Cable

In 1995, Verne Lundquist began working for TNT cable.

1996: Appearance in Happy Gilmore

In 1996, Verne Lundquist played himself as a commentator in the motion picture Happy Gilmore.

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1997: Leaves TNT Cable

In 1997, Verne Lundquist ended his time with TNT cable.

1998: 1998 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Announcer

During the 1998 Winter Olympics, Verne Lundquist and Scott Hamilton served as the announcers for figure skating events.

1998: Returns to CBS

In 1998, Verne Lundquist returned to CBS Sports.

2000: Lead Announcer for SEC on CBS

In 2000, Verne Lundquist became the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports' coverage of college football on the SEC on CBS.

2005: Induction into Sun Bowl Hall of Fame

At the 2005 Sun Bowl, Verne Lundquist was inducted into the Sun Bowl Hall of Fame along with former UCLA Bruins football coach Terry Donahue.

2006: Announcing Seattle Seahawks Preseason Games

In 2006, Verne Lundquist began providing television play-by-play commentary on Seattle Seahawks preseason games.

2006: Host of TNT's PGA Championship Coverage

In 2006, Verne Lundquist filled in for Ernie Johnson Jr. as the host of TNT's coverage of the PGA Championship while Johnson was battling cancer.

2007: Induction into NSSA Hall of Fame

In 2007, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association inducted Verne Lundquist into its Hall of Fame.

2008: End of Seattle Seahawks Announcing Role

In 2008, Verne Lundquist concluded his role providing television play-by-play commentary on Seattle Seahawks preseason games.

2011: Host of TNT's PGA Championship Coverage

In 2011, Verne Lundquist again filled in for Ernie Johnson Jr. as the host of TNT's coverage of the PGA Championship after Johnson left following the death of his father.

May 2012: Commencement Address at Hampden-Sydney College

In May 2012, Verne Lundquist delivered the commencement address at Hampden–Sydney College, an honor he considered a true achievement.

October 22, 2016: Celebrity Guest Picker on College GameDay

On October 22, 2016, Verne Lundquist was a Celebrity Guest Picker on College GameDay on ESPN.

December 10, 2016: Retirement from College Football Broadcasting

On December 10, 2016, Verne Lundquist retired from broadcasting college football games after calling the Army–Navy Game. He planned to continue contributing to CBS Sports programs.

2016: End of SEC on CBS Announcer Role

In 2016, Verne Lundquist concluded his role as the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports' coverage of college football on the SEC on CBS.

March 2018: Retirement from College Basketball Broadcasting

In March 2018, Verne Lundquist announced that he would not work the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, effectively retiring from calling college basketball.

2021: Continued PGA Championship Commentary

In 2021, Verne Lundquist continued his role as a commentator for the PGA Championship for CBS Sports, despite his retirement from announcing college football and basketball.

February 14, 2024: Announcement of Final Broadcast

On February 14, 2024, CBS announced that the 2024 Masters would be Verne Lundquist's final broadcast, marking his 40th year covering the event for CBS.

2024: Continued Masters Tournament Commentary

In 2024, Verne Lundquist continued his role as a commentator for the Masters Tournament for CBS Sports, despite his retirement from announcing college football and basketball.