University:
Pittsburgh
Joined ESPN:
1986
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Carroll H. "Beano" Cook, who joined ESPN in March 1986, serves as a college football studio commentator and occasional sideline reporter. He also offers college football commentary on ESPN Radio.
Cook came to ESPN after four years (1982-85) at ABC Sports as a studio commentator during its College Football Association telecasts. From 1977-82, he worked in public relations for CBS Sports. From 1974-77, he was a sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times; the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins; public relations director for the Mutual Radio Network and he also toured with VISTA. He was ABC Sports NCAA press director from 1966-74.
Cook, noted for his quick wit, has offered many quips over the years, including: "Haven't they suffered enough" (in response to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn offering the returning hostages from Iran lifetime baseball passes); "You only have to bat a thousand in two things -- flying and heart transplants. Everything else, you can go four for five"; and, "Colleges spend more money on the promotion of the Heisman than the Pentagon spends on toilets."
Cook graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 with a bachelor of arts degree and spent 21 months in the Army before returning as the school's sports information director from 1956-66. He does freelance radio and television work in the Pittsburgh area.
Cook received his distinctive nickname when, at the age of seven, his family moved from Boston to Pittsburgh. A neighbor of the Cook family said, "Oh, from Boston, like the beans" and named the young Cook boy "Beano."
Cook was born September 1, 1931.
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