In Memoriam: Les Levine

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Les Levine, a pioneer of Cleveland sports media and longtime member of the Cleveland State family, passed away Wednesday night at the age of 74 after a battle with diabetes and Parkinson's. 

A Cleveland native, and Ohio State University alumnus, Levine began his long and successful career in 1970 working as a disc jockey in Jasper, Indiana, before returning to Northeast Ohio in 1971. 

In 1980, Levine, a member of the Radio & Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame, began his role as the "Voice of the Vikings" broadcasting Cleveland State men's basketball games. He called numerous memorable Vikings wins over his 23-year career with Cleveland State, including the Vikes 83-79 NCAA Tournament upset victory over Indiana and the team's 1986 Sweet 16 run that followed. Levine called games for the Green and White beginning in 1980-82 and then from 1985-2006. 

Throughout his career, Levine worked pregame and postgame shows for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers for various media outlets, as well as calling games for the Cleveland Crusaders and writing columns for the News-Herald and Cleveland Jewish News.

Levine was an iconic broadcaster, friend, and supporter of Cleveland State. Please keep the Levine famiyl in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Levine calling a Cleveland State men's basketball game during the Kevin Mackey era (credit: News-Herald)

Men's Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates and Levine on "More Sports & Les Levine" last year (Jan. 15, 2020)