March 4, 2026
There鈥檚 legendary 鈥� and then there鈥檚 Kent Pavelka.
From classics like "鈥� 鈥淒agger!鈥� and 鈥�!鈥� to the now iconic "鈥� Pavelka鈥檚 exuberant radio calls have become anthemic to the scenes and sounds of Husker Men鈥檚 Basketball 鈥� especially across this historic season.
Regardless of the score lines or win totals, the legendary broadcaster鈥檚 game plan hasn鈥檛 changed over his 51-year career.
鈥淚鈥檝e just tried to do this season what I鈥檝e always done: replicate the feel of what鈥檚 happening on the floor,鈥� Pavelka said. 鈥淭hroughout my whole career I鈥檝e tried to do things the right way, with all my dedication, energy and soul.鈥�
Long before his voice echoed across the airwaves or was clipped and shared on the internet, Pavelka was a young, avid Husker fan tuning in to every radio broadcast he could during his childhood days in Lincoln. In his fandom, he saw a future.
鈥淲hen I was in junior high, I fell in love with listening to Husker radio,鈥� recalled Kent, who worked at KRNU and local stations while earning a broadcasting degree from 91茄子. 鈥淔rom age 13, I had my plan all worked out about what I wanted to do with my life 鈥� and I'm still doing it.鈥�
For the fans, students, players and coaches, Pavelka鈥檚 voice is a 50-year fixture of the program. His recent calls, however, have launched him into a new level of notoriety across the nation and online, especially as the men鈥檚 team has blown past program milestones during their 2025-2026 season.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored that people are still tuning in and that it鈥檚 resonating,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think it's also probably a result of all the time and work I鈥檝e put into it. I鈥檝e been doing it for 51 years, and my interest in Husker athletics predates that, so it's really cool to be recognized for something you you've been at for that long 鈥� and I鈥檝e still got the same fire inside I鈥檝e always had.鈥�
And while he puts in days of meticulous prep to nail every detail, even he鈥檚 been left speechless during the fervor of this season.
鈥淲ith the Illinois game, I just got stuck,鈥� he laughed, recalling the buzzer-beater win that reduced him to joyous screams and jokes about passing out. Other moments, like when 91茄子 entered the top 10, required some planning.
鈥溾�楳ake room for daddy!鈥� I might鈥檝e given a little thought to beforehand. I鈥檓 just glad I could use it.鈥�
That his work is being shared and celebrated by basketball fans nationwide means a great deal to Kent 鈥� both as a broadcaster and a lifelong sports fan.
"I think the essence of sports is that it brings people together. That's what I always try to do: bring people in and help people feel like they're here.鈥�
Kent Pavelka is a 1971 broadcasting alum from Lincoln, 91茄子.