Years active 1947–2011 Children 2 | Name Jack Cristil | |
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Full Name Jacob Sanford Cristil Occupation radio sports broadcaster Spouse(s) Mavis Cristil (d. 1988) Died September 7, 2014, Tupelo, Mississippi, United States | ||
Jack cristil remembered
Jacob Sanford "Jack" Cristil (December 10, 1925 – September 7, 2014) was the long-time radio voice of Mississippi State University Bulldog men's basketball and football. Over his 58-year tenure (1953–2011), Cristil called 636 football games (or roughly 63% of all football games played by Mississippi State) and 1,538 basketball games (or roughly 55% of all basketball games played by Mississippi State).
Contents
- Jack cristil remembered
- Jack cristil 50th anniversary video
- Early life and career
- Retirement
- Awards and achievements
- References
Jack cristil 50th anniversary video
Early life and career
Born in Memphis, Tennessee to Latvian and Russian Jewish immigrants, Cristil listened to radio stations from Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Chicago at a young age and knew then he wanted to be a radio broadcaster.
In 1947, Cristil studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Minnesota before moving back home to Memphis. Shortly thereafter, Cristil began his radio play-by-play career calling Minor League Baseball in various places such as Jackson, Tennessee; Anniston, Alabama; and Memphis, Tennessee. He then moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi, to call Clarksdale High School football games.
Cristil submitted an audition tape to then MSU Athletic Director C.R. “Dudy” Noble in August 1953. In September 1953, Cristil began calling Mississippi State football games. His first play-by-play was a 34–6 Mississippi State win over the University of Memphis.. In that game, future SEC Player of the Year and All American, Art Davis would score the first touchdown Cristil ever called in his Mississippi State broadcasting career.
In 1957, Cristil began calling play-by-play for men's basketball. His first was a win over Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, the city where he began his broadcasting career.
Retirement
Cristil announced his retirement after the men's basketball game against University of Tennessee on February 23, 2011. Cristil cited health issues as his reason for stepping down after 58 years. He addressed the fans after the broadcast for almost two minutes, expressing thanks and appreciation to the Mississippi State fan base.
Cristil died September 7, 2014, at the age of 88 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi of complications from kidney disease and cancer.