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Beano Cook | |
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| Born | Carroll Hoff Cook (1931-09-01)September 1, 1931 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 2012(2012-10-11) (aged 81) Green Tree, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | The Kiski School |
| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh (BA) |
| Occupation | College football commentator |
| Years active | 1986–2012 |
| Employer | ESPN |
Carroll Hoff "Beano"Cook (September 1, 1931 – October 11, 2012)[1] was an Americantelevision personality who worked forESPN. He was acollege football historian andcommentator. He received his B.A. from theUniversity of Pittsburgh in 1954.
Cook received his unusual nickname at the age of seven from a neighbor inPittsburgh, as a reference to his recent move fromBoston (nicknamed Beantown).
Cook graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954, then served for two years in theU.S. Army. He was a sports publicist for the University of Pittsburgh from 1956 to March 1966, worked for theMiami Dolphins for one season, served as a publicist for bothABC andCBS in New York City, and spent time as a vice president with thePittsburgh Civic Arena when it was run byEdward DeBartolo, Sr. In between those stints, Cook volunteered withVISTA 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 to 1985.[2]
For a brief period in the late 1980s, Cook did commentary onWPXI-TV inPittsburgh.
Cook joined ESPN in 1986 as a studio commentator. He also did freelance radio and television work in thePittsburgh area. Cook was seen onESPNEWS every Thursday onThe Hot List debating withBrian Kenny. Cook could be heard weekly onESPN Radio duringThe Herd with Colin Cowherd and on Wednesdays was a special guest on ESPN Radio'sI-Formation hosted byIvan Maisel. Cook also appeared weekly on Pittsburgh's Fox Sports Radio 970 AM,WBGG-AM, weekly during football season at 8 a.m. PT on theMitch in The Morning Show onSports Radio 950 KJR AM inSeattle. He co-hosted theESPNU College Football Podcast on ESPN.com and iTunes with Maisel. He was an occasional guest ofMark Madden on ESPN 1250 in Pittsburgh as well as ESPN Radio'sAllNight with Jason Smith show.
Known for his frequent historical references and his affinity for college football played in theUpper Midwest andRust Belt states,[3] he possessed a quick wit and a penchant for telling humorous stories. After theCommissioner of BaseballBowie Kuhn offered the returning hostages from theIran hostage crisis lifetime passes toMajor 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]
Beano Cook began a blog in 2010, covering topics other than college football.[6]
It was announced on December 8, 2010, onESPNU that Cook was the 2010 winner of theBert McGrane Award.[7]
Cook died in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2012 at the age of 81.[8] He was buried at Pittsburgh'sAllegheny Cemetery.[9]
