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Beano Cook, college football commentator, dead at 81
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David
Oct 11, 2012, 4:31:01 PM10/11/12
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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/espn-college-football-guru-beano-164201522--ncaaf.html
ESPN college football guru Beano Cook dead at 81
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Beano Cook, the college football commentator with
an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport he dearly loved, has died.
The 81-year-old Boston native had worked for ESPN since 1986 and was
the sports information director at his alma mater, the University of
Pittsburgh, from 1956 to 1966. The school announced Thursday that Cook
had died in his sleep.
''He was one of a kind,'' ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer
said. ''There never was and never will be another Beano. His
combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his
engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched
anyone who knew him.''
Born Carroll H. Cook, he grew up in Pittsburgh before graduating from
the university in 1954, and was known for his love of the college game
and, in particular, championing the cause of northeastern teams
including Penn State and Pitt before either school was a nationally
known power.
''Beano Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth
of knowledge, and humor were unique,'' ESPN host Chris Fowler said.
''He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can
still be seen on GameDay each week.''
Cook, like many in the business, fell in love with simply being around
the competition. With a career that took him so many places, it was
hard not to get wrapped up in it.
''Getting to know the athletes really provided me with my fondest
memories,'' Cook once said. ''That was the most fun.''
He said his favorites from his time working at Pitt were Mike Ditka,
who went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and basketball
star Don Hennon.
His wealth of knowledge about college football and memory for details
made him an irresistible storyteller, as well a passionate pundit.
He wasn't always right, but he wasn't afraid to make bold
pronouncements, such as when he predicted Notre Dame freshman
quarterback Ron Powlus would win at least two Heisman trophies. Powlus
never even won one, but Cook's prediction made him famous forever.
In recent years he was a frequent contributor on ESPN Radio and did a
weekly podcast with ESPN college football writer Ivan Maisel.
He was an unapologetic defender of college football, while recognizing
its warts, and wasn't shy about touting its superiority to the pro
game.
''On Sundays they play for money,'' he once said. ''On Saturdays they
play for passion, for the love of the game. I think that's why it's
our greatest sport.''
Cook was ABC Sports' press director for the NCAA after leaving the SID
job at Pitt, and later worked in as a writer or media representative
for the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Dolphins, the Mutual Radio
Network, and CBS before joining ESPN.
''Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN.
I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my
television career and I would not be where I am today without him,''
ESPN analyst Lee Corso said. ''I am forever grateful to Beano and the
time we spent behind the GameDay desk.''
Cook received his distinctive nickname as a youth, when his family
moved from Boston to Pittsburgh. A neighbor of the Cook family said,
''Oh, from Boston, like the beans'' and tabbed the 7-year-old
''Beano.''
Cook is fondly remembered at Pitt, where the media room in the
Petersen Events Center is named after him.
''Beano left a legacy never to be matched. Not matched in
accomplishment, wit or loyalty,'' Pitt athletic director Steve
Pederson said. ''Like so many others, it has been my privilege to be
the beneficiary of Beano's counsel and friendship. He loved the
University of Pittsburgh and his name is synonymous with all good
things at Pitt.
''We all feel a tremendous void in our lives today.''
Many in and around college football concurred on Thursday.
''It's a sad day for college football,'' Penn State coach Bill O'Brien
said. ''Especially in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was an
icon.''
ESPN college football guru Beano Cook dead at 81
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Beano Cook, the college football commentator with
an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport he dearly loved, has died.
The 81-year-old Boston native had worked for ESPN since 1986 and was
the sports information director at his alma mater, the University of
Pittsburgh, from 1956 to 1966. The school announced Thursday that Cook
had died in his sleep.
''He was one of a kind,'' ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer
said. ''There never was and never will be another Beano. His
combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his
engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched
anyone who knew him.''
Born Carroll H. Cook, he grew up in Pittsburgh before graduating from
the university in 1954, and was known for his love of the college game
and, in particular, championing the cause of northeastern teams
including Penn State and Pitt before either school was a nationally
known power.
''Beano Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth
of knowledge, and humor were unique,'' ESPN host Chris Fowler said.
''He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can
still be seen on GameDay each week.''
Cook, like many in the business, fell in love with simply being around
the competition. With a career that took him so many places, it was
hard not to get wrapped up in it.
''Getting to know the athletes really provided me with my fondest
memories,'' Cook once said. ''That was the most fun.''
He said his favorites from his time working at Pitt were Mike Ditka,
who went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and basketball
star Don Hennon.
His wealth of knowledge about college football and memory for details
made him an irresistible storyteller, as well a passionate pundit.
He wasn't always right, but he wasn't afraid to make bold
pronouncements, such as when he predicted Notre Dame freshman
quarterback Ron Powlus would win at least two Heisman trophies. Powlus
never even won one, but Cook's prediction made him famous forever.
In recent years he was a frequent contributor on ESPN Radio and did a
weekly podcast with ESPN college football writer Ivan Maisel.
He was an unapologetic defender of college football, while recognizing
its warts, and wasn't shy about touting its superiority to the pro
game.
''On Sundays they play for money,'' he once said. ''On Saturdays they
play for passion, for the love of the game. I think that's why it's
our greatest sport.''
Cook was ABC Sports' press director for the NCAA after leaving the SID
job at Pitt, and later worked in as a writer or media representative
for the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Dolphins, the Mutual Radio
Network, and CBS before joining ESPN.
''Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN.
I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my
television career and I would not be where I am today without him,''
ESPN analyst Lee Corso said. ''I am forever grateful to Beano and the
time we spent behind the GameDay desk.''
Cook received his distinctive nickname as a youth, when his family
moved from Boston to Pittsburgh. A neighbor of the Cook family said,
''Oh, from Boston, like the beans'' and tabbed the 7-year-old
''Beano.''
Cook is fondly remembered at Pitt, where the media room in the
Petersen Events Center is named after him.
''Beano left a legacy never to be matched. Not matched in
accomplishment, wit or loyalty,'' Pitt athletic director Steve
Pederson said. ''Like so many others, it has been my privilege to be
the beneficiary of Beano's counsel and friendship. He loved the
University of Pittsburgh and his name is synonymous with all good
things at Pitt.
''We all feel a tremendous void in our lives today.''
Many in and around college football concurred on Thursday.
''It's a sad day for college football,'' Penn State coach Bill O'Brien
said. ''Especially in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was an
icon.''
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