Wresley "Red" Rush, a longtime sportscaster best known as a college basketball play-by-play announcer, died
Sunday in Moraga, Calif. He was 81. Rush was the former radio voice of Loyola men?s basketball, including during the 1962-63 NCAA championship season. Known for his signature phrases, Rush entertained his Chicago audiences with lines such as "Swisheroo, for two," and, "He eyes it, he tries it, he buys it."
During his 30-year career, Rush also served as the radio voice for the White Sox, the Kansas City Athletics,
the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals in Baseball, while also calling Northwestern football and DePaul
basketball, among other teams. "There was never a dull moment traveling with Red," said Dan Mullally, a senior executive with FedEx who broadcast Chicago Cougars hockey games with Mr. Rush from 1973-1975. "Red was the consummate professional ... who entertained with class wherever he went. He was (Dick) Vitale and (Chris) Berman before they ever got near a microphone."
Rush is survived by Nancy Rush, his wife of 57 years; son Casey and daughter Kathleen; three grandchildren and his brother Dennis. A family service was held Jan. 15 at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the John Douglas French Alzheimer?s Foundation, 11620 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 270, Los Angeles, Calif., 90025.
