POTSDAM - SUNY Potsdam alumni and sports announcer Warren Potter passed away at his home in Potsdam early Sunday morning. 

The 1986 Crane School of Music graduate had served as the primary play-by-play broadcaster for Bears basketball and hockey on Mix 96 and online, according to a press release from the college. 

He was 61 years old.

Potter's broadcast career dates back to his time as an undergraduate at Potsdam. 

The Bombay native called games for the then campus radio station WRPS and described some of the legendary Jerry Welsh Bears basketball moments live on air, the release said. 

Former Potsdam administrator and men's hockey coach John Horan provided color and analysis to Potter's play-by-play for the last eight seasons.

"It was my pleasure to know and work with Warren," said Horan. "From his days as a student covering our hockey games when I was coaching, to our partnership for the last eight years, his professional and gifted insight was a valued part of the Potsdam Hockey program. We were blessed to have him as the voice of Bears and a member of our hockey family. I will miss him greatly."

Potter's voice is very familiar to North Country high school athletes and their families, as he covered countless Section X contests in all sports over the last four decades. 

“His passion for broadcasting and sports were evident every time he put on a headset. Potter treated every game he was calling at the time as the most important one,” the release said.

While Potter's main Potsdam responsibilities were with the Bears on the ice and the hardwood, he also broadcast softball, lacrosse and soccer contests. 

“He loved to use his gift to describe, encourage and compliment the performances of the numerous athletes he covered,” officials said.

Potter's love of music also played a major part in his life. He served as the choir director at the Potsdam United Methodist Church since 2007. Potter also taught music at several local schools and since 2010 had been a music teacher at the St. Regis Mohawk Elementary School. He was a popular colleague and instructor. In addition to lessons in the classroom, he organized and directed many concerts.

Potter provided play-by-play for over half of Bears men's hockey coach Chris Bernard's 15 seasons.

"In addition to being an exceptional broadcaster, Warren was a gracious and friendly person who was ferociously dedicated to Potsdam Athletics and to the North Country sports community," Bernard said. "He was excellent at his craft and a true professional in every manner. We were fortunate to have him, along with John Horan, provide the soundtrack to our program for so many years. He was a proud alum and despite him doing countless local sports games, we always considered him as 'our guy'. He will be incredibly missed."

Jim Bechtel became the Bears men's basketball head coach the same season Potter took over the play-by-play duties.

"He was the voice of the Bears and synonymous with our program," said Bechtel. "The professionalism and the way he called the games gave our broadcasts a big time feel. I really looked forward to going home after our games and rewatching them to listen to Warren call them. It was the favorite part of my postgame routine. Warren has represented Potsdam Basketball with such class and dignity. He will be dearly missed."

Potsdam Director of Athletic Communications Dan Bronson was privileged to work with Potter both before and during his eight-season tenure.

"Getting on the air early in my career was very nerve-wracking," said Bronson. "Working with Warren, a veteran professional, helped calm me down. He was always very positive, friendly and kind. I enjoyed being in the broadcast booth with him and I was excited when he came back to Potsdam to work with us. He was a very good and kind person and I'm glad I had him as a friend."

He is survived by his wife Caroline, daughter Carrie Ann and son Julian.