Nebraska men’s basketball play-by-play broadcaster Kent Pavelka said on Huskers Radio Network Monday evening that he will retire after the 2026-27 season. The legendary announcer, who turned 77 this year, announced his eventual retirement during the Huskers Radio Network pre-game show for Nebraska's exhibition game against Kansas State in Grand Island.
“It’s time,” Pavelka said on the radio show. “It takes just about everything deep in my soul to share that. There comes a time, a lot of friends and family know.”
Pavelka has called Nebraska athletics, including football, since 1974. His voice has been heard across the country, most recently for his notable calls during NU’s Sweet 16 run.
“I never wanted to do anything else,” Pavelka said on the radio show. “Just this.”
Kent Pavelka begins farewell season as legendary voice of Nebraska basketball
He has called Nebraska men’s basketball for over 50 years. During the emotional segment on the pregame show, Pavelka said he would broadcast the entire upcoming season. That means he’ll get one last go-round and can say his goodbyes in what he hopes will be the same kind of successful season he got to call last year.
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen nodded to Pavelka on social media after the announcement.
"We look forward to properly saluting Kent later this season in honor of his lifetime of passion passed through the airwaves to generations of Husker faithful!" Dannen wrote.
He has now called well over 1,300 Nebraska games across two stints and is a member of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. His signature calls — including “Got it!” and “Bang-a-rang” — have become staples for generations of Husker fans.
Over decades of calling Nebraska Cornhuskers sports, he’s done his job with professionalism and character, even during some of the program’s worst seasons, especially in basketball.
Last year, as the Nebraska basketball team went on a historic run, Kent Pavelka became a national icon, with broadcasts underscoring his excitement as the program’s best season unfolded.
The Huskers are expected to reload this year and make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. However, they’ll first need to figure out how quickly they can mesh into the kind of dominant unit they were last season.
Pavelka is on the mic for Nebraska’s final exhibition game against Kansas State. They’ve dropped their other two exhibition games largely because of poor second halves.
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