Bob Kesling’s radio partner will be closing the curtains alongside the renowned broadcaster in retirement when the Tennessee basketball season concludes.
Bert Bertelkamp has served as the analyst alongside Kesling for the last 26 seasons but announced on Friday that he will be calling it a career when the Vols are finished.
“I’ve met so many great people,” Bertelkamp said. “UT people, UT fans, our opposition, the other radio guys, the TV personalities is what really stands out.
“But I think what stands out above all is the great basketball that I’ve been able to see and be right there on the court and be at a lot of practices and get to know a lot of great coaches and great players that have come through over the last 26 years. There’s too many to mention but UT’s a first-class program, big time, and they’ve treated Bob and I really, really well and it’s just been a blast to cover it.”
Bertelkamp has worked for the Vol Network calling Tennessee basketball since 1999, providing many iconic calls. One of his more popular catchlines includes the phrase, “Money,” which he doubled down on when Jahmai Mashack drained the game-winning three to defeat Alabama on March 1.
“I didn’t do this for the money that’s, for sure,” Bertelkamp said. “I did it because it was fun and it was fulfilling and it was exciting.”
It’s an iconic tagline that came from a former teammate of his, Terry Glenn. While the two were practicing together, Glenn would yell “money,” and the rest became history.
Kesling announced his retirement in November after 26 years on Vol Network. After contemplating retirement last year, the pair of friends decided to give it one more year together.
“Bob and I talked over the summer and he said he thought he was going to go one more year,” Bertelkamp said. “He didn’t come right out and ask me or put any pressure on me, but I said ‘Well, I’ll go with you one more year.”
He has been a part of 15 NCAA Tournament runs, eight Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite Eights. During the same time, he has called four SEC regular season titles alongside one SEC Tournament title. Bertelkamp will have one more go-around with the No. 4 Vols in the postseason with the regular season coming to a close on March 8.
“I’m just thankful that God brought all of our lives together because the last 10 years have been a real blessing for me,” head basketball coach Rick Barnes said. “And I think I speak on behalf of everyone that’s involved with the University of Tennessee.”
A former player, Bertelkamp’s prep day began at Bearden High School. He then established his roots at the University of Tennessee when he joined the basketball team in two stints during the 1970s. He started 110 games across four seasons, accumulating 332 career assists. He currently holds the program record for assists in an NCAA Tournament game with 16.
His contributions led to three NCAA Tournament appearances, an SEC regular season championship title and a SEC Tournament title.
Bertelkamp’s final radio call, alongside Kesling’s, in the Food City Center will take place on March 8 against South Carolina at 2 p.m. ET.
Vol network and Tennessee basketball radio analyst Bert Bertelkamp talks to the media after announcing his retirement. Friday, March 7, 2025.
