COCHRAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO MSU SPORTS BROADCASTER JACK CRISTIL

Senator Salutes “Talent and Longevity” of Legendary Radio Personality

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued a Congressional Record statement that calls attention to well-known broadcaster Jack Cristil, who recently retired from nearly 60 years of covering the Mississippi State University sports program.

Cochran issued his statement to commemorate Cristil’s long career and the goodwill he earned among the people of Mississippi.  Cristil retired after calling his final Mississippi State University basketball game on Feb. 26.

“Through his microphone, Jack Cristil brought Mississippians some great moments in college athletics history,” Cochran said in his statement.

“For the better part of six decades, Mississippi State fans welcomed Jack's professionalism and his unambiguous play-by-play descriptions, free from hyperbole or favoritism, onto their radios. His distinctive voice and irreplaceable wit will be missed,” Cochran said.

The following is the full text of Cochran’s tribute to Cristil:

HONORING JACK CRISTIL

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend the remarkable 58-year career of Jack Cristil, one of our nation's legendary radio broadcasters and voice of the Mississippi State University Bulldogs.  Jack called his last game this past Saturday as Mississippi State defeated the University of Tennessee in men's basketball.

For the better part of six decades, Mississippi State fans welcomed Jack's professionalism and his unambiguous play-by-play descriptions, free from hyperbole or favoritism, onto their radios. His distinctive voice and irreplaceable wit will be missed.

Jack grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Latvia. After discovering radio broadcasts of sporting events at the age of six, he knew exactly what he was going to do with his life. 

After high school, Jack went on to study broadcast journalism at the University of Minnesota.  From there, he worked the minor league baseball circuit in the Southeast before moving to Clarksdale, Mississippi, to broadcast high school football and basketball games. In the summer of 1953, legendary Mississippi State athletic director C.R. "Dudy" Noble hired him for 25 dollars a game.  Now 58 years later, Cristil has covered 636 football games and 1,538 basketball games, roughly 63 percent of all football games played by Mississippi State and about 55 percent of all basketball games.

It was not only the number of games he covered that is of note today Mr. President, it was at times the significance of the games themselves. During the 1963 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Mississippi State ignored an unwritten rule in our state that prohibited State universities from playing integrated teams.  By sneaking out of town in the dark of night, and despite protests from our state's Governor and police, the Bulldogs were able to play an integrated Loyola team in Michigan.  This was a significant blow to segregationist sentiment in Mississippi.   Jack was right there with the team as it defied its own Governor to help move our state forward.

Through his microphone, Jack Cristil brought Mississippians some great moments in college athletics history.  As the play-by-play man for Mississippi State, he also certainly endured some tough losses.  Since Jack first broadcast a game for the Bulldogs in 1953, his tenure has spanned 11 head football coaches, 9 head basketball coaches, 11 university presidents, 13 Governors of Mississippi, and 11 Presidents of the United States.  He has truly been an enduring figure in our state, throughout the South, and throughout college athletics. 

In Mississippi, fans of all teams appreciate the talent and longevity of Jack Cristil.  M_ President, I think it fitting to close by quoting Jack Cristil in saying, "You can wrap this one in maroon and white."        

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record an article titled, “It’s a wrap for Mr. Maroon and White” from The Clarion-Ledger.