Topic: The ever-evolving landscape of college athletics.
Mark Johnson is in his 22nd season (2025-26) as the play-by-play announcer for CU’s football and men’s basketball teams, as he assumed the role of “Voice of the Buffaloes” ahead of the 2004-05 athletic year. He is also now in his ninth year as CU’s first-ever director of audio broadcasting for the athletic department, as he was named to the position on July 1, 2017.
In his role and in addition to his announcing duties, he hosts various television and radio shows, podcasts, makes personal appearances and does voiceover work for the university. He also does television and radio work for various national and regional networks in the Rocky Mountain Region and across the country and has become known for his distinctive, booming tenor voice.
Johnson, 58, was named sports director at KOA-Radio in Denver in the spring of 2004, replacing the retiring Larry Zimmer, who had held the position for over two decades. Zimmer, the long-time “Voice of the Buffaloes, had handled the play-by-play chores for CU dating back to 1971, but shifted over to the analyst position when Johnson was hired. When Zimmer retired from announcing after the 2015 season, the mantra of “Voice of the Buffs” fully shifted to “M.J.”
Zimmer’s 30 seasons of play-by-play are the most by any announcer in any sport at CU, with Johnson’s 21 in football under his belt second; John Henry holds the third spot with 17 (1954-70 at KOA). In basketball, M.J.’s 21 recently past Zimmer’s 19 for the most calling CU’s hoop contests.