Ray Christensen

Inducted 2002

Though regarded by his peers as one of the most skilled and versatile broadcasters in the region, Ray Christensen will always be remembered as the Voice of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

His broadcast career began at University of Minnesota radio station KUOM, followed by a term as program director and sports director at WLOL Minneapolis/Saint Paul. He joined WCCO in 1963, where his duties ranged from news and interviews to fine music, in addition to sportscasting. He retired from full-time broadcasting in 1993, but continued doing Gopher football and basketball play-by-play until 2001. Over the years he broadcast Minnesota Twins baseball, Minnesota Vikings football, Minneapolis Lakers basketball, as well as 510 Gopher football games in 50 years and 1,309 Gopher basketball games in 45 years. He remained active in the community, hosting tours abroad and recording Talking Books for the Blind. He received numerous awards for his broadcast achievements. The University of Minnesota placed a banner honoring him in Williams Arena, and established an athletic scholarship in his name in 2001.

Ray Christensen passed away Sunday, February 5, 2017, at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ramona; children, Tom (Ann), Sue (Jim) Chambers, Jim (Rose); grandchildren, Emily and Mary, Jonathan and Christina, Brian (Nicole) and David.