courtesy of
Dusquene University athletics and
WDUQ 90.5 FM
The Duquesne University athletics community and the Pittsburgh Pirate organization are mourning the loss of former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster and longtime DU sports information director and former golf coach Nellie King who passed away this morning (August 11). King, 82, lost his battle with colon cancer and pneumonia.
Nelson Joseph King was born in 1928 and pitched for the Pirates from 1954-57. After his playing days were over he began a broadcasting career and from 1967-75 announced Pirate games with Bob Prince. Mr. King then joined Duquesne University as Sports Information Director, a position
he held from 1975 until he "retired" in 1992. He then became golf coach at the university for the last 16 years of his career through the 2003-04 season.
See Duquesne tributes to King, below.
Duquesne Associate Athletic Director Dave Saba said Nellie had a way of slowing down the day. He'd stop by and be able to tell you a story that left a smile on your face. Every time he left the room, you felt a little bit better. I don't know if there's a higher compliment you can pay to someone. We'll miss him dearly."
Ray Goss, who has been the Duquesne Dukes basketball play-by-play announcer for 41 years, partnered with Nellie for 24 of those years.
"We traveled together, roomed together, ate together.....and of course, we talked..about basketball, politics, religion...he was a terrific guy. It's like part of me is missing because of his death."
Goss visited Mr. King last Thursday and said he was very weak and "I knew it was coming." Goss says King was a great storyteller and during last week's visit, Goss says King told him that he was glad he finally got his book,
"Happiness is like a Cur Dog: The Thirty-Year Journey of a Major League Baseball Pitcher and Broadcaster," published in 2009.
Nellie King is survived by his wife, Bernadette and daughters, Laura, Leslie and Amy.
Viewings will be Friday 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Laughlin Funeral Home, 222 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. The funeral service will be Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.
Charitable donations can be made to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and B.A.T.
Duquesne Director of Athletics Greg Amodio:
"The city of Pittsburgh has lost a true sports icon in Nellie King. Nellie was a valued member of the Duquesne family and he'll be missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family."
Radio 'Voice of the Dukes' Ray Goss, who broadcast Duquesne men's basketball games with King for 24 seasons:
"One thing I can say without hesitation about Nellie is I never met anyone who didn't like him. He was such a selfless person. I remember one season when I was having difficulty with my heart and Duquesne was playing at the Palestra. We used to broadcast from the top of the stands and we had to carry our radio equipment up there. Well Nellie, who I think had multiple bypass surgery the year before, starts carrying the equipment up the stairs because he was concerned about me. That's the kind of person he was ... always thinking of the other guy. I feel like part of me is missing with his passing."
Duquesne head men's basketball coach Ron Everhart:
"When I took the job at Duquesne, one of the highlights was meeting Nellie. Getting the chance to get to know the man I used to listen to on the radio as a kid [when King was broadcasting Pittsburgh Pirates games] was one of the highlights of my career. Nellie could make a half hour feel like five minutes with the way he could tell a story. I'll miss him."
Duquesne Associate Athletic Director Jarrett Durham, basketball letterman from 1969-71:
"Nellie was always very professional, just a pleasant person to be around. He was always looking to help others and he had a great sense of humor. I remember having a conversation with him and he ended it with, 'you know what Jarrett, no matter what you do, you'll always be $1,500 short.' The older I got, and the more responsibilities I had, the more that line proved true. When I think of it now I still chuckle. I'm happy to have known him."