MAX FALKENSTIEN
1924 –2019
Inducted – 2001

The golden voice of Max Falkenstien has been synonymous with the University of Kansas football and basketball programs since 1946. He is one of the most decorated sports broadcasters in Kansas history having been honored by the College Football Hall of Fame with the Chris Schenkel Award for Broadcasting excellence, “The Best College Radio Personality in the Country” by the Sporting News, The Distinguished Service Award by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Baker University, and the Ellsworth Medallion - the highest award of the KU Alumni Association. Since 1946, Falkenstien has broadcast more than 600 KU football games and 1,750 KU basketball games. He began his broadcasting career while in high school as a staff announcer at WREN. After serving 35 months in the Air Force during World War II, he broadcast his first college game between Kansas and Oklahoma A&M in the 1946 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Shortly thereafter, Falkenstien originated the KU Sports Network, which subsequently was taken over by the university. His long career has included all but the first of KU’s Final Four appearances in basketball- including both national championships in 1952 and 1988, plus all eight Jayhawk football appearances in bowl games. He was the first inductee into the Lawrence High School Hall of Honor, the first media member of KU’s Athletic Hall of Fame and is a member of the Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was the first appointee of Governor Mike Hayden to the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Board of Trustees and served as Chairman of the board for eight years from 1988-96. Falkenstien was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Born April 10, 1924 – Lawrence, KS. Graduated Liberty Memorial H.S., Lawrence (KS), 1942; University of Kansas, 1947.