Latest news with #Women'sFinalFour
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Mike Patrick, longtime football and basketball broadcaster, dies at 80
Mike Patrick, ESPN's first play-by-play announcer for its NFL coverage, has died. He was 80. Patrick's physician and longtime friend sent a text to friends of the longtime announcer that Patrick passed away in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sunday due to natural causes. Patrick joined ESPN in 1982 and was with the network for 35 years. Former ESPN broadcaster Mike Patrick, center, is honored by Duke Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jon Jackson (L) and Duke Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Cragg during a game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Feb. 21, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Lance King / Getty Images "Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one the most influential on-air voices in our history. In addition to calling ESPN's first-ever regular season NFL game and voicing the 'Sunday Night Football' franchise, Mike's work on college sports was exceptional," said Burke Magnus, president of content for ESPN. "For 36 years, he called football and men's and women's basketball, including the Women's Final Four and so many historic matchups between ACC rivals Duke and UNC. Our deepest condolences to Mike's family and his many friends throughout the industry." Even though he called countless college football and basketball games, he is best known for his work on ESPN's "Sunday Night Football" from 1987 through 2005. Patrick was teamed with Roy Firestone for the first season in 1987, before Joe Theismann became the lead analyst the following season. Paul Maguire came aboard in 1998 to make it a three-man booth. Patrick missed most of the 2004 season due to open heart surgery. NBC took over the Sunday night package in 2006 when ESPN became the home of "Monday Night Football." Dick Vitale called Patrick "Mr. ACC" because of his love for doing big games from the conference. "Mike had great energy and a keen knowledge of ACC basketball, and I truly enjoyed sitting next to him calling so many special games over the years," Vitale said in a statement. Patrick also did play-by-play for the women's Final Four from 1996 through 2009 and the College World Series from 2003-14. Before joining ESPN, Patrick worked in radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania, and was the sports director at television stadiums in Jacksonville, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Patrick grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor of arts degree in speech.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Remembering Mike Patrick: The Voice of ESPN's Sunday Night Football
Remembering Mike Patrick: The Voice of ESPN's Sunday Night Football On April 20, 2025, the sports broadcasting world lost a legend with the passing of Mike Patrick at age 80. Patrick, who died of natural causes in Fairfax, Virginia, had a 36-year legacy at ESPN, where his voice became synonymous with some of the most thrilling moments in sports. Most notably, he was the play-by-play announcer for ESPN's Sunday Night Football from 1987 to 2005, where he became one of the network's most influential voices. Patrick's journey began in 1982 when he joined ESPN, just three years after its inception. He had the honor of calling the network's first-ever regular-season NFL game in 1987, a matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, he launched ESPN's Sunday Night Football's 18-year run. Alongside analysts like Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire, Patrick's energetic delivery and insight brought games to life. His ability to capture the intensity of NFL Sundays made him a household name. Beyond football, Patrick had the same kind of excitement covering college basketball, where he called over 30 ACC championships, and the Women's Final Four from 1996 to 2009. "Mike had great energy and a keen knowledge of ACC basketball, and I truly enjoyed sitting next to him calling so many special games over the years." said Dick Vitale, his longtime broadcast partner and who gave Patrick the nickname 'Mr ACC'. Patrick's final call was the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, marking the end of an illustrious career. His voice, a soundtrack to American sports, will echo in the hearts of fans forever.
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
Tributes paid to legendary ESPN commentator Mike Patrick after death, aged 80
Veteran ESPN commentator Mike Patrick has passed away at the age of 80, it was announced on Tuesday. According to ESPN, Patrick's doctor confirmed that he died of natural causes in Fairfax, Virginia. Patrick had been off the air since 2017, with his final broadcast being the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 30, 2017. Before his retirement, Patrick was the voice of ESPN's 'Sunday Night Football' coverage from 1987 to 2005. He also worked alongside Joe Theismann on ESPN's first NFL regular season game and spent many years partnering with Paul Maguire. The news of Patrick's passing was first shared by John Antonik, West Virginia University's Senior Director of Content, on social media. Antonik wrote on X: "Was passed along the very sad news from former broadcasting colleague Kevin Kiley that Mike Patrick passed away on Easter Sunday. Read More Related Articles Terry Bradshaw vows not to retire and lists three things he'll do until he dies Read More Related Articles Notre Dame star awaits NFL Draft shot despite ACL injury cutting season short "Although Mike didn't attend WVU, he was an unapologetic Mountaineer supporter and one the great broadcasters to ever call college and pro sports." The Athletic's Chris Vannini added on X: "RIP Mike Patrick, one of the great voices of ESPN college football in the 2000s and 2010s." ESPN's women's basketball reporter Holly Rowe shared her sorrow, starting her tribute with "This is heartbreaking. We spent many wonderful days mostly laughing then sprinkled in calling games. Mike Patrick was always an absolute delight." Fans and admirers of Patrick also expressed their condolences and offered prayers for his family. Former ESPN commentator Mike Patrick (C) died on Easter Sunday at the age of 80 (Image: Photo by) A fan reflected on their childhood memories, saying, "I grew up watching a lot of 'Sunday Night Football' as a kid and enjoyed Mike Patrick's calls with Joe Theismann in the booth," adding, "One of the best to do it in his field. Thinking of Mike Patrick's family, friends and colleagues." Patrick, who passed away recently, was not only known for his nearly two decades of 'Sunday Night Football' commentary but also for being a staple voice in ESPN's college sports coverage. He called over 30 ACC basketball championships and was a prominent figure in ESPN's Women's Final Four broadcasts from 1996 to 2009. In college football, Patrick lent his voice as the play-by-play announcer for 'Thursday Night Football' and 'Saturday Night Football,' as well as for the College World Series. Reflecting on his extensive tenure at ESPN, Patrick once shared his contentment and gratitude, remarking, "It's wonderful to reflect on how I've done exactly what I wanted to do with my life. At the same time, I've had the great pleasure of working with some of the very best people I've ever known, both on the air and behind the scenes." As he bid farewell to ESPN in 2018, he acknowledged his fulfilling career and cherished colleagues.
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mike Patrick, longtime ESPN broadcaster and ‘Sunday Night Football' voice, dead at 80
Mike Patrick, who spent nearly four decades at ESPN as a broadcaster, died on Sunday. He was 80. The network said Patrick passed away in Virginia from natural causes. Advertisement 'Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one of the most influential on-air voices in our history,' said Burke Magnus, president of content for ESPN. 'In addition to calling ESPN's first-ever regular season NFL game and voicing the 'Sunday Night Football' franchise for 18 seasons, Mike's work on college sports was exceptional. 3 Former ESPN broadcaster Mike Patrick (C) is honored by Duke Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jon Jackson (L) and Duke Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Cragg during the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 21, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Getty Images 'For 36 years, he called football and men's and women's basketball, including the Women's Final Four and so many historic matchups between ACC rivals Duke and UNC. Our deepest condolences to Mike's family and his many friends throughout the industry.' Advertisement Patrick, a graduate of George Washington University, started broadcasting in the 1960s and joined ESPN in 1982 after calling games for Maryland's basketball and football teams and preseason contests for Washington's NFL franchise. He was on the call for the channel's first-ever regular season NFL game and was the play-by-play voice of 'Sunday Night Football' from 1987-2005. He was also a prominent fixture for ESPN's college basketball coverage and called at least three dozen ACC men's tournaments while also announcing women's March Madness for 13 years (1996-2009). 3 ESPN announcer Mike Patrick at dinner after Booz Allen Classic Pro Am, Congressional Country club in Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday, June 8th, 2005. Getty Images Advertisement He called his final game during the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl and officially retired a few months later in 2018. There was an outpouring of memories and tributes from around sports and sports media following the news of his death. 'So sorry to learn of the passing of the great Mike Patrick. Mike was the voice of ACC Basketball when I was a player, and I had the honor of working with him and calling him a friend,' ESPN analyst Jay Bilas wrote on X. 'Mike Patrick was a pro's pro. RIP Mike Patrick.' 3 ESPN television announcers Len Elmore (L) and Mike Patrick pose for pictures dressed in 1980s clothing before the start of a retro night game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the North Carolina Tar Heels in an Atlantic Coast Conference game on February 16, 2005, at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Getty Images Advertisement 'This is heart breaking,' ESPN colleague Holly Rowe wrote. We spent many wonderful days mostly laughing then sprinkled in calling games. Mike Patrick was always an absolute delight.' I was so saddened to just learn of the passing of MIKE PATRICK – loved working with Mike on many fantastic @theACC hoop games,' Dick Vitale added. 'I called Mike Mr ACC ! My sympathy goes out to his wife Janet.'
San Francisco Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mike Patrick, the original play-by-play voice of ESPN's NFL coverage, has died at 80
BRISTOL. Conn. (AP) — Mike Patrick, ESPN's first play-by-play announcer for its NFL coverage, has died. He was 80. Patrick's physician and longtime friend sent a text to friends of the longtime announcer that Patrick passed away in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sunday due to natural causes. Patrick joined ESPN in 1982, and was with the network for 35 years. 'Mike Patrick called countless significant events over decades at ESPN and is one the most influential on-air voices in our history. In addition to calling ESPN's first-ever regular season NFL game and voicing the 'Sunday Night Football' franchise, Mike's work on college sports was exceptional," said Burke Magnus, president of content for ESPN. "For 36 years, he called football and men's and women's basketball, including the Women's Final Four and so many historic matchups between ACC rivals Duke and UNC. Our deepest condolences to Mike's family and his many friends throughout the industry.' Even though he called countless college football and basketball games, he is best known for his work on ESPN's 'Sunday Night Football' from 1987 through 2005. Patrick was teamed with Roy Firestone for the first season in 1987, before Joe Theismann became the lead analyst the following season. Paul Maguire came aboard in 1998 to make it a three-man booth. Patrick missed most of the 2004 season due to open heart surgery. NBC took over the Sunday night package in 2006 when ESPN became the home of 'Monday Night Football.' Dick Vitale called Patrick 'Mr. ACC' because of his love for doing big games from the conference. 'Mike had great energy and a keen knowledge of ACC basketball, and I truly enjoyed sitting next to him calling so many special games over the years,' Vitale said in a statement. Patrick also did play-by-play for the women's Final Four from 1996 through 2009 and the College World Series from 2003-14. Before joining ESPN, Patrick worked in radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania, and was the sports director at television stadiums in Jacksonville, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
