Longtime ESPN broadcaster Mike Patrick passed away at the age of 80, ESPN reported and confirmed with his doctor and the city of Clarksburg, W. Va. Patrick worked for ESPN for 36 years as a play-by-play commentator, calling Sunday Night Football games from 1987 until 2005 and also contributing to college football and basketball broadcasts. Over the years, he called over 30 ACC Basketball championships and served as the voice of Women’s Final Four coverage. Patrick was also the voice of ESPN’s first-ever regular-season NFL game in 1987, working in the broadcast booth with Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire.
Patrick graduated from George Washington University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He started his broadcasting career at WVSC Radio in Somerset, Pa. and proceeded to work as the sports director for WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Fla. a few years later. While he was there, he was the play-by-play announcer for Jacksonville Sharks telecasts of the World Football League and also broadcast Jacksonville University basketball on radio and television.
“Was passed along the very sad news from former broadcasting colleague Kevin Kiley that Mike Patrick passed away on Easter Sunday,” John Antonik, director of content for West Virginia University athletics and WVU Sports historian, said in a post on X. “Although Mike didn’t attend WVU, he was an unapologetic Mountaineer supporter and one of the great broadcasters to ever call college and pro sports.”
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it is learned.
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