Terry Gannon

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Terry Gannon (born in Joliet, Illinois, the only child of Jim and Mary Fran Gannon), is a broadcaster for ESPN on ABC and ESPN. Gannon's work includes an extensive variety of sporting events for the network, including college basketball, as well as figure skating, golf, college football, and the WNBA.

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[edit] College Basketball Career

Gannon began his basketball career at Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet, Illinois (where his father was a coach and where he also played baseball).[1] Gannon played college basketball at North Carolina State University, where he was a member of Jim Valvano's "Cardiac Pack" national championship-winning team in 1983.[2] During his four-year career, (1981-1985), he was a two-time Academic All-American and NC State's all-time leading free throw shooter. In 1983, he was the #1 three-point shooter in the nation.[3] After a short basketball career in Europe, Gannon turned to broadcasting on the advice of his coach "Jimmy V."[2]

[edit] Early Broadcasting Career

[edit] Current broadcasting work

Gannon joined ABC Sports in 1991 as a commentator for college basketball, and has since announced for a wide variety of sporting events for the network. Gannon's main task is hosting ABC's figure skating coverage. In addition, he handles play-by-play for college basketball and college football, a position he's held since 1993. Gannon is an announcer on ABC's coverage of the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. Gannon served as the studio host for ABC Sports' coverage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and has hosted WTA Professional Tennis.[3]

Gannon has hosted the Tour de France three times, the Indianapolis 500 and Belmont Stakes once, and three times called the play-by-play at the Little League World Series.[4]

On ABC's Wide World of Sports, Gannon has covered downhill skiing, ski jumping, supercross motorcycle racing, beach volleyball, mountain biking, the Special Olympics, the Goodwill Games and the Tournament of Roses Parade.[4]

His biggest influences in his career have been Al Michaels and Harry Caray. Like Caray, Gannon strives to be "the ultimate fan. Ultimately, I've tried never to forget that aspect of broadcasting--that the average fan wants to hear the kind of questions asked that they would ask."[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ O'Brien, Ken. "Gannon gives back Salvation", The Herald News, 2007-08-19. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. }}
  2. ^ a b Glenn, David. "Terry Gannon, More ACC-NBA, Etc.", WRAL.com, 2007-06-27. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. }}
  3. ^ a b c Terry Gannon. ABC Medianet. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
  4. ^ a b c Chat wrap: ABC's Terry Gannon. ABC Sports. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
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North Carolina State Wolfpack Basketball 1982-1983 NCAA Champions
Thurl Bailey | Alvin Battle | Lorenzo Charles | Terry Gannon | Sidney Lowe | George McClain | Cozell McQueen | Ernie Myers | Dereck Whittenburg
Coach Jim Valvano