Irish fire long-time announcer

[Irish Envy]

Hall of Fame radio play-by-play announcer Tony Roberts is out after calling Notre Dame football games for 26 years.

"They fired me," Roberts said. "For no cause."

Roberts, who learned of the decision Monday from an executive at Westwood One Radio, will be replaced by veteran broadcaster and Notre Dame alumnus Don Criqui, who announced Notre Dame games from 1974 to 1976. Analyst Allen Pinkett, who had worked with Roberts since 2002, has been retained.

"It was a great run and I'm sorry it's over," said Roberts, who started broadcasting Irish games in 1980. "I always wanted to walk away from it under my terms."

Here's the press release from Westwood One Radio.

Source: Chicago Tribune

 

[tgolden]

I don't think the Irish fired him. From what I've been reading other places, it was all up to westwood one.

But it's a shame to see him go.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

That's sad. I've don't listen to very many games, but I've heard a few on radio and the play by play guy was great. Too bad for him. Wonder why?

 

[KMac151993]

The days of Pagna and Roberts is now over...what a shame.

 

[simontonlake]

email - David_Halberstam@westwoodone.com - to express your feelings directly.

 

[Aerosmith777]

Francessa & Russo were talking about this yesterday on WFan (a Westwood One station, I should point out). They didn't seem to get it either. The only thing they could think of for a reason is money. Criqui might have been willing to come back to his alma mater for less cash than Roberts was getting.

They both said that Criqui is a great play-by-play guy though, so that's something at least. I wasn't around when he was doing Irish games, I know he's been working for CBS but I don't recall any of the games he's called that I've seen.