At the age of 91, John C. Fountain, the radio host and “Voice of EMU Athletics” for 44 years, departed from this life on November 15. A legendary athlete at Eastern Michigan University, Fountain never scored a basket or witnessed any action on the court—instead, he broadcast the game live from press row.

When Fountain televised his first football game for the then-Hurons in 1963, he officially started his 44-year relationship with EMU Athletics and WEMU (89.1 FM). From 1963 until 2001, he served as EMU’s football game announcer. Fountain made the difficult decision to give up the football broadcasts, but he continued to call plays in both men’s and women’s basketball until the 2006–07 season.

In 1966, Fountain—a devoted employee of Eastern Michigan—was appointed Director of Sports Information. In 1974, he was made an executive director of information services; in 1978, he was made an associate vice president for university relations; and in 1980, he was made director of information services again. In 1983, Fountain was named Vice President for University Relations, a position he held until 1985.

Fountain called two bowl games (1971 Pioneer and 1987 California), two NCAA College World Series (1975 and 1976), four NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments (1988, 1991, 1996, and 1998), and one NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament (2004) when he was employed at EMU. During Fountain’s tenure, Eastern Michigan emerged victorious in nine Mid-American Conference regular season championships and seven MAC Tournament titles.

The proceeds from Fountain’s two books, “A View From the Board Room” and “Those 1940 Detroit Tigers,” were given to the Detroit Sports Media Association Grant Fund, which provides funding to Michigan colleges, universities, and high schools for the purchase of new broadcast equipment, as well as to Fountain’s scholarship fund.

Born in Port Huron, Michigan, on March 23, 1932, to parents J. Clarence and Courtney S. Fountain. His wife of 65 years, Marjorie A. Fountain, survives him together with four daughters, Jacqueline (Steve) Luurtsema, Julanne (Jeff) Williams, Lynne (Paul) Gronvall, and Kim (Steve) Goffee. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.