Welcome back to Featured Sportscasters, I’m glad you enjoyed the intro post and I’m excited to have you along with me during this journey! Our first spotlight broadcaster is Mr. Bill Stern! He was born on July 1, 1907 in New York and passed away on November 19, 1974. He was only 64 years young. Bill began doing play-by-play commentary in 1925 when he was hired by a local radio station to cover football games. Shortly after his time at WHAM he was hired by NBC in 1937 to host “The Colgate Sports Newsreel” and Friday night boxing on the radio. 

What makes Bill unique from any other broadcaster known to man is that he is the very first person to broadcast a game! The very first tv broadcast took place on May 17, 1939. The game being played was a double-header between Princeton and Columbia. Princeton ended up coming out on top with a 2-1 victory at Columbia’s home field!

Stern also televised the first football game on tv that same year on September 30th. Stern was known because of his appearances on CBS Sports. He was successful there for many years. He was their sports director as well as their on air talent. However, Stern’s life wasn’t fame and glory and easy like he had made it out to be. 

One evening when Stern was on his way back from a football game in Texas he got into an atrocious car accident that resulted in him having to amputate his left leg above the knee. However, that did not stop the young man as he kept pushing through the obstacles and did not let them hold him down. 

Lastly, In 1950 Stern landed a job with ABC as he would become the star of the show in their eyes until 1956. He was the go to guy for sporting events, as well as he served as an anchor for the Tv show “The Names the Same”. 

All in all, Stern had a very successful career and loved what he did. It starts with passion to be able to do a job for many years and after that the road will pave the way. 

As we par our way to the end of this week, be sure to come back next week for another great featured caster!