Decorated Tennessee men’s basketball radio color analyst Bert Bertelkamp will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 season, Tennessee announced on Friday.
Bertelkamp has held his position for 26 years and is beloved by Tennessee fans around the nation, easily recognized and celebrated for his catchphrases of “Money!” and “Talk to me!” after big plays from the Big Orange.
“Being the Vol Network’s color analyst for men’s basketball the last 26 years has been an honor and a privilege,” Bertelkamp said via a Tennessee press release on Friday. “I have been blessed to meet many great people and have had the opportunity to develop numerous lifelong relationships. The bottom line is it has been a wonderful experience and I will always be grateful for the opportunity.”
Along with Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling, the duo have been broadcasting Tennessee basketball games for the Vol Network since 1999-2000. Kesling will also be retiring from his position at the end of the season, as he announced back in November.
Kesling and Bertelkamp have had countless memorable calls over the years, from Chris Lofton’s prolific Tennessee tenure to a late-career gift in Jahmai Mashack’s buzzer-beater against Alabama last Saturday in Knoxville.
Bob and Bert were at their best for the best college basketball game of the year!
📻@VolNetwork pic.twitter.com/aOVvsxQ9wH
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) March 3, 2025
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A native of Knoxville, TN, Bertelkamp attended and graduated from Bearden High School before playing basketball at Tennessee for four seasons from 1976 to 1980. Bertelkamp was a starter for three of those years, with 110 games played across all four seasons.
Bertelkamp was elite at distributing the basketball and still holds the record for the second-most single-game assists in Tennessee history at 16 in one game during his senior season. Bertelkamp’s 16-assist game came against Maryland in the NCAA tournament, which is a Tennessee tournament program record. That also beats out current Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler, who has a pair of 15-assist games to his name including the game against Ole Miss last Wednesday. In total, Bertelkamp tallied 332 assists in his career with 154 coming during his senior season in Knoxville.
“I want to thank my lovely wife, Sheila, as well as my amazing children, Brownie, Lillie and Hank, and my Vol-fanatic son-in-law, Grant, for their love and support over these many years,” Bertelkamp said via the UT press release. “I’m so proud of them and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’d also like to thank my father, Hank, for introducing me to the game of basketball and my late mother, Jane, who would be thrilled to know her son called UT basketball games for 26 years.”
Bertelkamp’s voice is behind some of the great moments in Tennessee basketball history, including four SEC regular-season championships, one SEC tournament championship, 15 NCAA tournaments, eight Sweet 16 berths, and two Elite Eight trips.
That also doesn’t include what Tennessee could potentially do this year, as Kesling and Bertelkamp could have even more memorable moments down the road.
“One of the main reasons I have lasted 26 years is my partner, Bob Kesling,” Bertelkamp said in the release. “I am thankful to Bob for allowing me to be his wingman. His professionalism and broadcasting ability are second to none. I want to thank all the kind folks at the Vol Network for their first-class treatment and friendship. Everyone has been awesome. I’d also like to thank the UT basketball program and all the players and coaches we have had the pleasure of covering. They have provided so many lasting memories. Lastly, I’m privileged to thank our fans, as their support has been inspiring and much appreciated. Thank you, Vol Nation!”
Bertelkamp and Kesling’s final broadcast from Thompson Boling Arena at the Food City Center will take place during the Vols’ regular-season finale against South Carolina on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Kesling and Bertelkamp will be recognized at halftime for all of their accomplishments and contributions to the Tennessee basketball program.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for coverage of the halftime ceremony on Saturday.
