The college sports announcing ranks lost a notable voice this week. On Tuesday, news came out of the passing of long-time Navy play-by-play broadcaster Pete Medhurst, who had called games for the Midshipmen since 1997.
Medhurst also did hosting work on D.C.-area stations 106.7 The Fan and The Team 980, including hosting Nationals studio show Nats Talk Live and sometimes filling in on radio play-by-play for them. He called lacrosse for Big Ten Network as well, and had a variety of other broadcasting roles over the years.
His wife Brenda announced his passing on Facebook Tuesday morning.
As noted there, Medhurst’s passing came after a long battle against cancer. A game in early November marked the first time in 240 Navy football games that he wasn’t on the call, with that coming after he was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumor. The #PrayForPete hashtag took off in the wake of that. And on Tuesday, tributes to Medhurst poured in following news of his passing, including from his long-time Navy football analyst counterpart Joe Miller, from Navy Athletics and Navy Football, from colleagues at his other radio jobs and around the industry, and beyond:
Dear @PeteMedhurst I will remember all the laughs, road trips and so many of those conversations. You were an endless cheerleader for me and I can’t imagine how different this journey would have been without your help and guidance. Rest in Peace. We will all miss you.
— Joe Miller (@Jomilmil) January 21, 2025
RIP to a Navy legend. Not only was he a great broadcaster, but a friend, father and husband. He touched the lives of so many midshipmen in his 28 years with Navy Athletics. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/mJyGZyRHkr
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) January 21, 2025
Pete – you will be missed. Our hearts go out to you and your family. We hope you find the checkerboard endzone where you’re going!#GoNavy | #RollGoats pic.twitter.com/PUSVnsLnrl
— Navy Football (@NavyFB) January 21, 2025
We are so devastated to share the news that our friend Pete Medhurst has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Pete was an incredible broadcaster. Whether on the play by play call for @USNavy sports, the @Nationals, or hosting or anchoring for @1067thefan or @team980, Pete… pic.twitter.com/qD8V46fu3k
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) January 21, 2025
Always have had a hard time dealing with death. This one really stings. One of my biggest advocates. A mentor. A friend. A teammate. Our business is cutthroat and ultra competitive. Pete time and time again went to bat for me, throwing my name out for opportunities. It meant so… pic.twitter.com/exPtx3XStR
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) January 21, 2025
Absolutely devastating news.
Pete Medhurst was a wonderful person. I loved the 3 years I got to work with Pete on the Navy broadcast. I’ve never met someone who worked as hard as Pete. Boy, did he love his job!
He took so much passion in what he did.
Rest in Peace, Pete. https://t.co/l035Q2Nhf8
— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) January 21, 2025
Received call @BWagner_CapGaz . I didn’t want. We lost @PeteMedhurst. Thinking of Brenda and family. Please help if you can.https://t.co/mGE2bhk3Hn
In 1988 at 17 Pete wondered into @1430WNAV .Helped make possible @NavyFB and @NavyAthletics shows that still exist today. Those… pic.twitter.com/RsibAChc2c— Dave Johnson (@davejsports) January 21, 2025
Heavy heart today with this sad news from Brenda Medhurst this morning. Hard to have met a nicer soul in this world than Pete. RIP my friend.
“Last night we had to say Goodbye to Pete Medhurst. Pete fought a very hard battle against an aggressive melanoma cancer. He spent…
— Charlie Slowes (@CharlieSlowes) January 21, 2025
RIP @PeteMedhurst. It’s been an unbelievable 28 years and you will never be forgotten. Today is a very sad day. https://t.co/VGKuEqX4Gr
— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) January 21, 2025
This is a sad day. Pete Medhurst was a tremendous broadcaster and an even better person. The work that I did was 10x better because he lent his voice to it. Navy Football will never sound quite the same. https://t.co/7IylhBt8l1
— Kevin Slattery (@KFSlattery) January 21, 2025
Pete Medhurst made me the coolest dad ever when he let me bring my daughter up to the radio booth at RFK for DC United. That is the least of the innumerable things for which I owe him. You’ll never find a more genuine and giving person in the sports world. We’ve all lost today.
— Mike James (@navybirddog) January 21, 2025
I loved @PeteMedhurst. We all did. I hope he knew that. So many incredible conversations about life and sports. Perfect fit on @junksradio. A true broadcasting professional. Condolences to the Medhurst family. Looking forward to sharing Pete stories on the show. pic.twitter.com/CmrrzZ6Aq7
— Matt Cahill (@drabtshirt) January 21, 2025
Medhurst touched a lot of people through his work in these different roles, and made an incredible mark in many areas. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Those looking to support the family can do so through this GoFundMe from his brother-in-law, which has already raised more than $50,000.