The Voice of the William Chrisman Bears

January 22, 2020

For more than 20 years, White, Graham, Buckley & Carr partner Robert “Bob” Buckley has served as the voice of the William Chrisman Bears. He serves as the announcer for both the football and boys’ varsity basketball teams for the Independence-based high school.

Bob first became the announcer when his oldest stepson attended the school, which also happens to be Bob’s alma mater. A longtime friend – the school’s athletic director – asked Bob to become the announcer and he agreed.

Now, many of the players already know Bob, as many of them were participants in Bears Tomorrow, Inc., a nonprofit corporation Bob started to develop the athletic potential and leadership skills of future athletes at William Chrisman High School.

In his own words, Bob describes a few of the many reasons he continues to serve as the announcer, stating, “I love watching good kids do good things. And, I have the best seat in the gym and it keeps me from yelling at the referees.”

This isn’t Bob’s only activity with William Chrisman High School; he has been the school’s Booster Club president for five years and is president of the Independence School District Foundation. He and his wife, Kim, also fund annual scholarships for graduating seniors of William Chrisman and have made several donations to the school’s athletic program.

In addition, the firm sponsored the Phog Allen Invitational at William Chrisman High School in early December and the 58th Annual Bill Summa Invitational Track Meet last year and will do so again this year.