PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Marc Zumoff is still at the top of his game, but the veteran voice of the Philadelphia 76ers knew this was the time to hang up his headset.
Zumoff announced his retirement on Monday after 27 years as the television play-by-play voice of the Sixers.
The popular Zumoff had shown no signs of slipping in recent years as he continued to bring his trademark enthusiasm to every broadcast. However, this was more of a life decision, rather than a basketball decision for Zumoff.
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"I did want to step away knowing that I could still do this, and in many ways walk away on my own terms," said Zumoff.
"I believe that at 65, there are still a lot of things in life I could do, whether that's spend more time with my wife and family or friends, or develop new interests."
Zumoff's father took him to his first 76ers game in 1964. On that night, Zumoff found his calling at a young age.
He soaked in the atmosphere in the arena. His experience at the game, combined with his already growing fascination with radio, charted his path to broadcasting.
"I went to a game at the old Philadelphia Arena, and I just remember because we were a little bit late," Zumoff said.
"As soon as I walked through the turnstile, I could hear the crowd inside the bowl of the arena which really rather startled me, yet intrigued me at the same time."
Zumoff graduated from Temple University and worked for several radio stations before being hired by Prism in 1983 as the Sixers' pregame and postgame host.
One of his stops along the way was right here at KYW Newsradio. Zumoff remembers getting his first chance to work at the station during the night of a presidential election.
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"I had the opportunity to work on Election Night in 1976," said Zumoff.
"I was the desk assistant. I just knew there was an opportunity to impress management that night. I don’t even think I ate any of the sandwiches they brought in for the crew that night. I just ran around until I couldn’t run anymore, and it earned me an opportunity to become a desk assistant."
Zumoff has received a wave of tributes on social media since announcing his retirement. Fans and peers alike are sending well wishes and praising the work of Zumoff during his run with the Sixers.
He promises to respond to all of the people who have made the effort to reach out as he looks back at his remarkable run with the franchise.