Jack Cristil

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Jack Cristil
Born	Jack Cristil (1925-12-10) December 10, 1925 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	radio sports broadcaster
Years active	1947-2011
Spouse(s)	Mavis Cristil (deceased)

Jack Cristil is the long-time radio voice of Mississippi State University Bulldog men's basketball and football. Born in Memphis, TN to Latvian and Russian immigrants, Cristil listened to radio stations from Pittsburgh, PA, St. Louis, MO, and Chicago, IL at a young age and knew then he wanted to be a radio broadcaster.^[1] He began his duties for bulldog football play-by-play in 1953. He officially announced his retirement on February 23, 2011 after 58 years behind the mic. Over his 58 year tenure, 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).^[2]

Career

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, MS 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.^[2]

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.^[2]

Retirement

Cristil announced his retirement after the men's basketball game against Louisiana State University 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.

Awards and achievements

Southeastern Conference Broadcaster of the Year – 1988
21 times named Mississippi Broadcaster of the Year
1991 Inductee of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award
1997 Chris Schenkel Award given by the College Football Hall of Fame

References

Persondata
Name	Cristil, Jack
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 10, 1925
Place of birth	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Date of death
Place of death

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