Pulaski County sports icon, Dan Callahan, passes away
It is with heavy hearts that we announce today the passing this morning of Dan Callahan after a short illness.
He passed at around 8:45 a.m. this morning at LewisGale Hospital Salem. His wife, Brenda was at his side at the time of his death.
Known affectionately by many as Dan “The Man” Callahan, he was in his 50th year of newspaper work – the last several with The Patriot.
For years he wrote a popular weekly column called “The Locker Room,” which touched on high school, college and pro sports – as well as a variety of other topics. He also covered Cougar football and basketball for The Patriot.
Dan was also known as “The Voice of the Cougars,” for his years of work on WPSK radio as the play-by-play man for their Cougar football broadcasts.
Dan, probably the authority on Pulaski County Cougar football, covered the Cougars since the high school opened in 1974 for The Southwest Times, WPSK and The Patriot. Prior to that he covered the Dublin Dukes beginning in 1970 for the Radford News Journal.
Dan leaves behind his wife, Brenda; two sons, Shane and Jason, his daughter-in-law Vanessa and his granddaughter, Layla.
Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.
Randy Thompson
May 20, 2020 @ 11:30 am
Shocking news I worked with Dan for years at the radio station I was his boss (as if someone besides Brenda could be his boss) in sales Dan had his way of doing things but he was always the “go to guy” when something was needed I traveled the roads with Dan and Jack Douglas broadcasting Pulaski County games Most of the stories were not necessary to be re-told here but they were “memories of a lifetime I will treasure my friend and miss him always
Michael Blevins
May 20, 2020 @ 11:30 am
So sad to hear this news! His voice and presence at and during games! Truly the voice of Cougar football! Friday nights wont seem the same!
Tommy
May 20, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
No cougar games will never be the same. A great lost to not only the high school but the county as well. God Bless
Jerry Akers
May 20, 2020 @ 7:40 pm
Dan was the voice of the cougars enjoyed him calling the cougar games and reading his great column every week in the Patriot you will be missed
Natoya
May 20, 2020 @ 11:43 am
Dan “the Man” Callahan will be truly missed. Especially by me during the football games on WPSK! He was our hometown “Howard Costell”. Rest in heaven. Praying for your family
Jerry King
May 20, 2020 @ 12:10 pm
Sorry to hear the passing of Dan. Got too speak with Dan on Saturday. He will be missed when it comes to sports in and around Pulaski County.
DEBRA KING
May 20, 2020 @ 12:33 pm
Truly a great man….and will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and especially to the fans…where he made an impression with his words.
Mark Fought
May 20, 2020 @ 12:35 pm
I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Dan and I shared a love of high school sports play-by-play broadcasting – he for his beloved Cougars and me for the Blacksburg Bruins. We had a wonderful friendship and spoke frequently about HS sports, WVU, politics and more. Dan was well articulated – in his writings and his speaking. This is a profound loss to the justifiably proud Cougars and Pulaski County community. I hate it that COVID-19 will limit his funeral/memorial service, because there may not be a venue in southwest Virginia that could accommodate everyone who would want to say goodbye. You’ll be dearly missed, Dan. Prayers and condolences to the Callahan family in this time of great sorrow and beyond.
Thomas Jobst
May 20, 2020 @ 8:44 pm
Nobody could paint a better picture with the written word.. Will miss the sports reporting in the papers that Dan the Man Callahan painted. Rest in Peace Mr. Callahan..💞💞🙏
Janet Lutz
May 20, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
Always love to hear Dan talk about the COUGARS. Cougar football will never be the same, Dan WAS the voice. Prayers for the family. He will be missed
Emily and Brad Simpson
May 20, 2020 @ 12:57 pm
Our family loved Dan and we give our greatest sympathies to Dan’s family. Dan cared greatly for everyone in our community. He will be greatly missed.
Under His Wings You Will Find Refuge
Psalm 91.4
Paul Mannon
May 20, 2020 @ 2:46 pm
I’m a Bobcat fan, but enjoyed reading Dan’s articles in the Patriot and listening to his broadcast of the Cougar games. Close to a legend in Cougar land. May he rest in Peace and condolence to his wife and family.
David Bentley
May 20, 2020 @ 5:06 pm
I’ll always remember Dan as the voice of the Cougars on Friday nights for both home and away games……and his now locally famous catch phrase “Fourth and Sylvatus”. Prayers for him and his surviving family members. He will be missed.
Jim Covey
May 20, 2020 @ 6:03 pm
I’ve read and listened to Dan “The Man” Callahan for years. I really enjoyed listening to him on the radio in my car on the way at work, at work and at home. I couldn’t wait til Sunday mornings when his columns would come out in The Southwest Times. He made me want to keep reading. On the radio, I loved when he would say “Taking it to the barn”, or “It’s 4th and Syilvatis”. That deep voice he had where he dug down and told these loveable sayings. Dan I will miss you immensely. There will never be! RIP and PRAYERS FOR HIS FAMILY
Joe Mannon
May 20, 2020 @ 6:43 pm
I was shocked when I read this! Dan was one of a kind, and he loved his Pulaski County Cougars. I also enjoyed reading his articles in the Patriot, and when you tuned into a Cougars game on WPSK, you recognized his voice immediately. He may be replaced, but he will never be duplicated. Blessings to his family and his many friends.
Dave Ross
May 20, 2020 @ 8:00 pm
Sorry to hear this and a good professional and great friend.
Steve Osborne
May 20, 2020 @ 9:30 pm
I’m sorry for the loss to his family and the community.
Doug Doughty
May 21, 2020 @ 11:07 am
Seems that I knew him for more than 40 years. Saw him just this season at Bogle Field, where the Cougars were playing either Cave Spring or Hidden Valley. Still seemed to be at the top of his game.
Clifford neal
May 21, 2020 @ 11:39 am
I hate this for the family and community , Dan was a legend in sports reporting , I am a Bobcat and bleed black and gold but I was in the Pulaski County TD club with Dan when my son played for the Cougars and because of some great people such as Dan The Man Callahan. I am a Cougar fan as long as they are not playing the Bobcats. God bless the Callahan family and the Pulaski County community.
Cindy Dobson Renner
May 21, 2020 @ 2:07 pm
Dan was a legend in my eyes! He was so instrumental in the development of Pulaski County high school and especially in the development of the football program. Dan introduced my dad to Coach Joe Hicks which was of course an amazing thing for our football program. Dan was always so supportive of all athletics at Pulaski County and was always such a good friend to my dad. His amazing ability to always make you feel special will always be remembered. Heaven has received another special Cougar!💛❤️ Love and prayers to his family!
Randy Thompson
May 21, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
Cindy: I worked with Dan in sales and broadcasting football games Dan was dedicated to the Cougars and I can’t explain how good he was and how many laughs
Sandra Sutphin
May 21, 2020 @ 3:45 pm
I’m So sad to hear of Dan’s passing. He worked with my husband Eddie Sutphin for many years. Dan was very much respected by his friends and colleagues. Eddie especially loved spending time with Dan at games and talking about the sports they both loved. He will be greatly missed in our community.
John Logan
May 21, 2020 @ 6:49 pm
Dan was the standard bearer of Pulaski County sports, and a mighty fine gentleman. So many of us are so very thankful for a life so well lived. My sincere condolences go out to Brenda and the rest of his family. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill them with peace. My friend and classmate Craig Harris and Dan are now reunited for an eternity of adventures together – good for both of them.
J T BACK
May 21, 2020 @ 7:16 pm
Got to know Dan in 1984 with the t d club, we rode many miles together and many games all over
the state. Dan knew a lot of people and got a lot done for the football team that most
people don’t know, he will surely be missed
Donna Linkous
May 22, 2020 @ 8:33 am
Dan was the ultimate professional. I had the pleasure of working with him twice. He and his work will be missed.