Nothing can break apart a friendship forged on the sidelines of college football, one that stays with you for years to come. Matt Rhule found such a companion and a close friend in the Owl Country’s Harry Donahue. It was in 2006 when Rhule first arrived at Temple and would spend more than a decade in the Philly county in two different spells. One thing was constant: listening to the local legend, bringing out stories live for the fans.

On Wednesday, Harry Donahue passed away in Philadelphia after battling cancer, leaving his loved ones and fans in mourning. “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of longtime Voice of the Owls, Harry Donahue,” Temple Owls shared the news on X. For Matt Rhule, Temple holds a sweet spot, tucked close to his heart, and one of the reasons is Donahue.

In the unfortunate event of his passing, Rhule penned an emotional tribute to his friend. “My heart hurts. Great man. True Owl. #TempleTuff Day One.” In 2006, he entered the campus as a defensive line coach and over the years, climbed up the ladder to quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and more. He left after the 2011 season to join the New York Giants but returned back a year later as a head coach. During his different tenures, Harry Donahue remained a constant voice.

For 35 years, fans would tune in to the local radio, beginning their day with Donahue’s morning commentary. He was the voice of Temple Owls, capturing the hoops stories at the Liacouras Center or describing TD drives at Lincoln Financial Field. His passion for Temple athletics resonated throughout the campus, forging a deep bond with athletes and coaches alike. “Our love and thoughts go out to the Donahue family and the Owl community,” Temple Owls wrote. “Rest in peace, Harry.” Harry Donahue’s voice was nostalgic to the fans.

For over four decades, the 77-year-old anchor would lend his voice to Philadelphia’s daily happenings. For those hitting the road or listening to him on the radio, his voice became synonymous with Temple Athletics.

Matt Rhule wasn’t alone in remembering the icon. Other alums and fans shared their stories on how Donahue’s words made an impact on them.

Harry Donahue and his love for the cherry helmets

Temple alum Kevin Negandhi, who presently works for ESPN CFB, describes himself as “Philly diehard raised in the 700 level.” He shared an emotional note, reminiscing about his time back on campus. “Harry was a Philly sports radio legend and was kind to me when I was at Temple. He would call the Temple men’s hoops games on radio as well as the football games and always had time when I was trying to understand the craft as a young broadcaster.”Negandhi gave his tribute to the legend. “RIP to a Philly icon.”

In the early days, Temple road games were not on television. In an effort to keep up with the score, people had to keep a radio transistor. “I was jogging up East River Drive (I still refuse to call it Kelly Drive) wearing my Temple football jersey and holding the transistor in one hand,” recalls Temple Football Forever’s Editor and Publisher Mike Gibson. “When they won and Harry made that call, I did a 37-inch vertical leap and pumped both my fists.” These minute tales tell us the impact of Donahue’s storytelling on the fans.

Aside from Donahue’s passion for football and basketball, he called games for the Philadelphia Stars USFL team, Eagles pre-season games, Atlantic 10 basketball, and the 76ers. After retiring from KYW (radio), he worked with Inside Golf on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He had further lent his voice to the NFL films. For his contribution to the sports community. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.