Nobody has analyzed the length and breadth of his feat better than the popular honoree himself – Max Falkenstien, who is completing 60 years as a noted, often-honored broadcaster for Kansas University athletics. He analyzed his last basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse Wednesday night.

“I’m not sure how good I was, but I think it’s fairly safe to say I could be the last of the group who will be at the microphone for one school as long as I’ve been,” the Lawrence native has said. One honor and tribute after another has been layered on him during a 2005-2006 farewell tour. His tenure will end, at his request, at the end of this year’s KU basketball season.

A native of Lawrence and a KU graduate, Falkenstien saw Army Air Corps service in World War II and returned to complete his college education. Asked by his radio station manager to broadcast the NCAA playoff game between Kansas and Oklahoma A&M in 1946 in Kansas City, he eagerly accepted. Deeply involved ever since in matters of radio and television broadcasting, he is best-known for his calling of football, basketball and Kansas Relays events. He is rightfully proud of the fact he has been at the microphone for every basketball game played in the fieldhouse since it was opened in 1955.

Falkenstien has energetically and often humorously provided amplification and lilt for Jayhawk fans and has become close friends with most of the athletes, coaches and media people involved. He, wife Isobel, son Kurt and daughter Jane top the list of his fans and have often shared in the excitement and entertainment Max’s career has helped to create for so many for so long.

Blessed in many ways, Falkenstien got a scare earlier this year when emergency surgery was required to remove a malignant growth from an intestine. Always a “gamer,” he was not out of commission for long and soon was back with sidekick Bob Davis at the broadcast table, relating events and sharing their expertise and sidebar stories with thousands of appreciative, admiring listeners. No matter where Max goes, he can charmingly work a crowd with the best of them – all the while projecting a highly favorable image of the university he loves so much.

There is a lot of down-home delivery by Falkenstien and Davis. One listener said, with great warmth, that “they sound like a couple old buddies sitting and jawing in a fishing boat on a wonderful day.” While he has received many formal honors, that is the kind of tribute Falkenstien relishes the most.

One of Max’s best traits, acquaintances say, is his knack of analyzing without rancor. Athletes say he’s “just like one of the guys” when you get on the bus after a game. Whether they win or lose, Max offers comfort rather than criticism.

After 60 years at the microphone, Max says the time for retirement has come and he’s quite comfortable considering other pursuits, in which he has long involvement.

KU’s big problem at this point is finding a replacement who can pick up where Max Falkenstien is leaving off. That is a monumental task, but Max certainly has left a standard of excellence that should help the newcomer into the right paths of KU outreach.