(July 31, 1962-July 6, 2022)
Sam Kendricks, a former Texas Swimming assistant coach and graduate of The University of Texas who went on to become the most recognizable voice in swimming in the United States, passed away on Wednesday after a nine-month battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma. He was 59.
Kendricks' career behind the mic began unexpectedly as an undergraduate in 1983. While working as a student manager, legendary head coach Eddie Reese called upon him to announce the biggest double dual meet of the year between 1981 NCAA National Champion Texas, 1982 title-winner UCLA and a Florida squad that would go on to capture the crown in 1983. The Longhorns dominated the meet and Kendricks went on to occasionally call meets before his public address announcing career took off a decade later.
A native of Irving, Texas, Kendricks would serve on Reese's staff for five years from 1980-85 before coaching under Richard Quick from 1985-87. He then coached at the clublevel in Arkansas for eight years. After retiring from coaching, he was asked by club swimming colleagues in Arkansas to announce their summer invite, and from there his announcing career blossomed.
Known for his catchphrase "boomshakalaka" that thundered over the speakers after a big swim, Kendricks created a signature style that stirred an excitement in the crowd that was unmatched.
"Sam could make exciting swimming for the record-breakers and the ones 100 meters behind in the mile," Reese said. "He always took care of all of us."
Kendricks was the primary announcer at every Big 12 Championships from 1997-2021, and over the last decade served as the announcer for the NCAA Division I Swimming Championships. In 1997, he became one of the primary voices for USA Swimming competitions, calling nearly every major meet since, including Nationals, Junior Nationals and five Olympic Trials (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016).
In May 2022, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) awarded Kendricks the Richard E. Steadman Award, conferred annually to a swimming or diving coach of a high school, club, or university team who has "done the most to spread happiness in Coach Steadman's beloved sport of swimming and diving."
In addition to his career as an announcer, Kendricks he worked as a residential realtor for 19 years in Los Alamos, N.M.
A celebration of life service will be held later this summer in Los Alamos and in Austin at The University of Texas in the fall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the J. Robert Oppenheimer House Fund of the Los Alamos Historical Society: https://losalamoshistory.networkforgood.com/projects/107843-oppenheimer-house-preservation. The donations support the work of conserving the Oppenheimer home for future generations. Sam was passionate about the home and the history it holds.
