SANDY, Utah, June 11, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Longtime Utah broadcaster Steve Klauke died Tuesday morning after being hit by a car Monday night. He was 69.
Klauke was walking west in a crosswalk at the intersection of 10600 South and 1300 East about 8:23 p.m. when a vehicle turning right from 10600 South onto 1300 East hit him, Sandy police told Gephardt Daily. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died.
Klauke, the voice of Salt Lake baseball for nearly three decades, retired from broadcasting minor league baseball in September following his 29th season with the Bees, Stingers and Buzz. He also served as the voice of Weber State athletics since 2015.
“Steve Klauke was a dedicated long-time employee and world-class broadcaster. Steve will forever be remembered as ‘the voice of the Bees’ and holds a special place in our hearts,” said Gail Miller, co-founder and owner of the Larry H. Miller Co. “We will always treasure and honor the immeasurable impact he had on the sports community in Utah and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sue, and their children, Adam and Lisa.”
Klauke was named Utah Sportscaster of the Year three times during his career (1995, 2014 and 2016) and earned Ballpark Digest’s Broadcaster of the Year award in 2014.
“Steve was one of the best voices in sports, and he was a dear friend,” said Marc Amicone, former Salt Lake Bees president. “I will cherish the countless hours we spent together at the ballpark where I got to watch and listen to him do what he loved so much. We wish Sue, Adam and Lisa peace and comfort during this time.”
Klauke began calling minor league baseball as the voice of the Salt Lake Buzz in 1994. He called 4,181 regular-season and playoff games during his career, punctuating nearly 4,000 home runs with his signature call — “It’s up there, it’s out there, it’s gone!” — and celebrating 2,081 Salt Lake victories with “handshakes and high-fives all around!”
“I’m speechless,” said Weber State Director of Athletics Tim Crompton. “Weber State and Utah have lost one of the greatest sports broadcasters and one of the best individuals I’ve ever known. On behalf of our entire athletics department and Wildcat fans, our hearts go out to his family. We were truly fortunate to have known Steve. This is a tragic loss.”
“[It was] very difficult to hear the news of Steve Klauke’s death,” WSU men’s basketball head coach Eric Duft said. “Over the last several years Steve had become a very good friend. His talent for calling games and professionalism in all situations made him a top-tier broadcaster. More than that, however, Steve was an incredibly good person. He will be missed. Weber State basketball lost a family member and we will be praying for his family during this difficult time.”
The Chicago native arrived in Utah in 1991 as a pregame, halftime and postgame show host for the Utah Jazz, and also hosted a daily sports talk show in Salt Lake City.
“The Utah Jazz family is heartbroken by the sudden passing of Steve Klauke, voice of the Salt Lake Bees for three decades, longtime member of the Jazz broadcast team, and father to Jazz equipment manager, Adam Klauke,” the Utah Jazz stated on social media. “A legendary sports broadcaster, Steve was admired and loved by many. He will be greatly missed, and his contributions will continue to have an indelible impact on the Utah sports community. Our thoughts are with Adam, Steve’s wife, Sue, and their daughter, Lisa.”
In addition to his work with the Bees and Weber State, Klauke called games for the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, University of Utah, Utah Grizzlies and Utah Flash during his legendary broadcasting career.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sue Klauke, and two children, Adam Klauke and Lisa Klauke.
Tributes to Klauke and his legendary broadcasting career flooded social media Tuesday following the news of his tragic death.
