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ghoetke1
Joined: 9/11/13 Posts: 109
Remembering THE Voice of the Bruins Fred Hessler
Posted Thu, Oct 27 6:50 am
Sometimes we forget the little things.Hard to believe its been almost 35 years since Hessler called his last game for KMPC radio, the flagship station. Some of them are among the greatest games in collegiate sports annals especially the Wooden years. Not a striking figure, he had a compelling voice, and carried himself with class and dignity. He didn't yell or scream like many of the sportscasters today. You could tell he loved UCLA. It isn't surprising that he was one of Coach Wooden's favorites. I'll never forget his simple welcome to the listening audience.."From historic Pauley Pavilion/LA Coliseum/Rose Bowl, UCLA basketball/football is on the air". I hope UCLA honored him when he left the broadcasting booth. Thanks Fred.
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70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Fred was a class act
Posted Thu, Oct 27 12:55 pm
In response to Remembering THE Voice of the Bruins Fred Hessler (ghoetke1)
The sound of Fred's baritone signature intro to his "Morning Sports Report" on KMPC is so deeply etched in my memory that I can almost hear him now.
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Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,123
Unfortunately, it was more like an unceremonial push out
Posted Thu, Dec 01 5:49 pm (Edited Thu, Dec 01 5:53 pm)
In response to Remembering THE Voice of the Bruins Fred Hessler (ghoetke1)
It was before the 1983 season that Hessler let go. The UCLA broadcast rights were sold to a syndicator, and Hessler wasn't asked to come back. The syndicator wanted a younger guy announcing the games. Kent Derdivanis replaced Hessler, but he only lasted two seasons before Joel Meyers (who was paired with Derdivanis as the color commentator) was promoted to lead announcer.

The LA Times article linked below indicated that KMPC sports director Steve Bailey and other colleagues from the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Assn. threw Hessler a surprise party that summer. From what it said, Hessler didn't like the spotlight and would not have gone along with any gathering in his honor, hence the surprise party.

http://articles.latimes.com/1993-02-05/sports/sp-928_1_fred-hessler

Here's a radio highlight from Hessler's final year as the voice of the Bruins. Karl Morgan's gave saving sack in the '82 UCLA-Southern Cal game. This was about as close as Hessler ever got to totally losing it on a broadcast. Great play, great call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ILzygVf6o



And here's the original ABC broadcast with Al Michaels and Frank Broyles on the call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts7xUpDaNLo



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ghoetke1
Joined: 9/11/13 Posts: 109
RE: Hessler UCLA has no concept of family
Posted Tue, Dec 06 8:53 pm
In response to Remembering THE Voice of the Bruins Fred Hessler (ghoetke1)
After Hessler was unceremoniously let go, and if I remember right, he was unable to find appreciable work. The LA sports media honored him but I don't know if UCLA did,e.g, a luncheon, dinner, center court ceremony and presentation. If they didn't they should be ashamed. Heck, they could've done something to recognize him...... inside or outside Pauley.... or inside the Wooden Center. What do you think ??
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Elevin
Joined: 2/16/11 Posts: 178
re: Remembering Fred Hessler
Posted Fri, Dec 23 1:57 pm
In response to Remembering THE Voice of the Bruins Fred Hessler (ghoetke1)
Not only do I remember the calm steady voice of Fred Hessler but I also remember that same monotone voice of his predecessor Sam Balter. Sam had played at Ucla as was very prominent in Ucla circles. He used to announce the Ucla games when I first began listening to them before Coach Wooden came to Westwood. Life was so simple in those days. I was long out of Ucla before they even broke ground for Pauley. Used to park in the dirt lot that was there before it was built. There was even "talk" that someday Dystra would be coed!!! OMG! LOL
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