Frank Palmeri, the “voice” of Colorado high school sports, passes away
For 57 years, from 1948 until 2005, Frank Palmeri was the “voice” of high school sports in Colorado. Palmeri passed away over the weekend at age 92. Funeral arrangements are pending.
A native Coloradan, Palmeri grew up in north Denver and graduated from Denver North High School in 1944. After a stint in the US Navy, he earned his bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Denver. He later added work at the University of Colorado, Colorado State and Walden University.
He spent 45 years as a physical education, history, and English teacher, as well as a media specialist, in Jefferson County Schools.
He started announcing Denver Parochial League and Jefferson County sports, serving as public address announcer in every sport for the league. His distinctive, professional announcer’s voice is familiar to three generations of Colorado prep athletes.
He was the “voice” of the state wrestling for 51 years, and nearly that same number for the state basketball tournament and state track meets. Among his honors are the CHSAA Distinguished Service Award (1992) and induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame (2012).
He was named the National Announcer of the Year in 2005 by the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers Association.
Palmeri’s rosary will be Monday morning at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. There will be a visitation on Sunday night from 5-7 p.m. at Horan & McConaty on Federal and Speer.
