Beano Cook

Carroll Hoff "Beano" Cook (September 1, 1931 – October 11, 2012)[1] was an American television personality who worked for ESPN. He was a college football historian and commentator. He received his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954.

Beano Cook
Born
Carroll Hoff Cook

(1931-09-01)September 1, 1931
Boston, Massachusetts
DiedOctober 11, 2012(2012-10-11) (aged 81)
Green Tree, Pennsylvania
EducationB.A., Univ. of Pittsburgh (1954)
OccupationCollege football commentator
Years active1986–2012
EmployerESPN

Biography

Cook received his unusual nickname at the age of seven from a neighbor in Pittsburgh, as a reference to his recent move from Boston (nicknamed Beantown).

Cook graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954, then served for two years in the U.S. Army. He was a sports publicist for the University of Pittsburgh from 1956 to March 1966, worked for the Miami Dolphins for one season, served as a publicist for both ABC and CBS in New York City, and spent time as a vice president with the Pittsburgh Civic Arena when it was run by Edward DeBartolo, Sr. In between those stints, Cook volunteered with VISTA in Florida in 1976.

Cook served as ABC's media director from 1966 to 1974, and was an in-studio commentator for ABC's college football scoreboard show from 1982-1985.[2]

For a brief period in the late 1980s, Cook did commentary on WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.

ESPN

Cook joined ESPN in 1986 as a studio commentator. He also did freelance radio and television work in the Pittsburgh area. He was most recently seen on ESPNEWS every Thursday on The Hot List debating with Brian Kenny. Cook could be heard weekly on ESPN Radio during The Herd with Colin Cowherd and on Wednesdays he was a special guest on ESPN Radio's I-Formation hosted by Ivan Maisel. He also appeared weekly on Pittsburgh's Fox Sports Radio 970 AM, WBGG-AM, weekly during football season at 8 a.m. PT on the Mitch in The Morning Show on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM in Seattle. He co-hosted the ESPNU College Football Podcast on ESPN.com and iTunes with Maisel. He was an occasional guest of Mark Madden on ESPN 1250 in Pittsburgh as well as ESPN Radio's AllNight with Jason Smith show.

Known for his frequent historical references and his affinity for college football played in the Upper Midwest and Rust Belt states,[3] he possessed a quick wit and a penchant for telling humorous stories. After the Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn offered the returning hostages from the Iran hostage crisis lifetime passes to Major League Baseball games, Cook quipped, "Haven't they suffered enough?"

Cook was also often referred to as the "Pope of College Football" due to his knowledge and tenure with the game.[4][5]

Blog

Beano Cook began a blog in 2010, covering topics other than college football.[6]

Bert McGrane Award

It was announced on December 8, 2010 on ESPNU that Cook was the 2010 winner of the Bert McGrane Award.[7]

Death

Cook was found after dying in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2012 at the age of 81.[8] He was buried at Pittsburgh's Allegheny Cemetery.[9]

References
  1. Fittipaldo, Ray (October 12, 2012). "Obituary: Carroll H. 'Beano' Cook / Legendary local college football analyst – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  2. http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8490526/beano-cook-espn-commentator-cardinal-college-football-dies
  3. "Beano Cook Dies, Legendary Pittsburgh Sports Figure Dead At Age 81," International Business Times, Thursday, October 11, 2012.
  4. CBSSports.com wire reports. "Well-liked veteran college football commentator Beano Cook dies at 81 – NCAA Football – CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings". Cbssports.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  5. Martin, Douglas (October 11, 2012). "Beano Cook, Irreverent College Football Analyst, Is Dead at 81". New York Times. NYT. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  6. "September 2012". Beano-cook.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  8. "Beano Cook, ESPN commentator and the 'cardinal of college football', dies – ESPN". Espn.go.com. 1931-09-01. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  9. "Notables". Allegheny Cemetery. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
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