This is an extremely sad day. I know that sports are to have their place in the priorities pecking order, but I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that Ray Christensen’s calls were a part in my life. When I grew up in the 80s & early to mid 90s, just as more Gopher games were starting to get on TV. You’d get a handful of games by the mid 90s & increasing a little bit, but for so long, you’re relegated to having to listen to the game on ‘CCO. All the times driving to & from football games listening to Ray. And all the times driving to & from hockey games, listening to both football and basketball games. Sitting in the kitchen or in my bedroom, listening to his call.
In ’97 during the Clemson game, I was at a watch party. 1st half, I sat with everyone. 2nd half, got so intense that I snuck off to someone’s bedroom, put the game on the TV, turned down the sound, and then cranked up his stereo to 830 so I could hear Ray. We’re talking about his favorite calls. I have a ton of favorites, but that was one of my subtle little ones that I loved, when down 4 in the OT, and then the Gophers got a bucket, and Bobby J D’s it up with the steal. Hearing Ray call that entire play “All the way in TIEING IT UP. “
I hated Dave Lee with such a passion that I created my username after it. I do like what we got with Grimm. But Ray was in a class by himself. Thoughts & prayers to his family, along with all other Gophers fans that have such great memories of his voice and those moments just as I have had.