Let me ask the first question: Chgo Trib headline says the university fired him. He was employed by Westwood, right? Didn't westwood fire him?

Does the university have any say in the broadcast team once they sell the rights to a media company?
nyc | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 4:52 pm | #

I sure hope NBC grabs Roberts right away. If he joined the NBC crew that would be awesome. Westwood just lost a listener.
maximum | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 5:25 pm | #

It's 'Bout Time!

Roberts often would call a play and say something along the lines of
(play third and 8)" Quinn complete to Fasano and Fasano is tackled at, boy Allen that was a great pass by Quinn"

Question Tony, Did he get the first down? This is radio and you cannot see the play. I will be able to finally listen to the game and know what has happened. Sorry to say the game has passed him by!

Now let's get rid of Tom Hammond and Pat Hadden next!
irishman | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 7:06 pm | #

Travesty. Roberts is the voice of Notre Dame football. He absolutely makes Oldie's season highlight video brilliant with this, "Starts in motion, double tight end. Play action fake. Here's Quinn looking to throw over the miiiddddle. Caught! Touchdown...Samardzija."

Travesty
JVH | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 7:36 pm | #

I'll miss Tony. I'd often turn the tv sound off and watch the game while listening to Tony on Westwood One. God Bless him and his family. Many ND fans owe him a big debt of gratitude.
Jim | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 8:56 pm | #

this just sucks. plain and simple. every fall, driving somewhere, not near south bend, trying to find the nd game, and finally coming across tony robert's voice on the am dial, knowing that the game was on, damn, i'll miss that.
henry | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 9:12 pm | #

He knew how to pronounce Samarzdji...Samardjza... Samardzjidz.

Remember when Busch fired Harry Carey or Bo Sclongbeckler fired Ernie Harwell?

Roberts was far superior to most on TV. It was a little premature...
Yago | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 10:05 pm | #

I almost drove off the road listening to his call of Arnaz Battle's miracle TD at Michigan St a few years back.

I would love to hear him call the games for NBC, but I doubt they'd hire an old radio guy. I wouldn't be surprised if he retired after this.
andrew | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 10:08 pm | #

Westwood already removed the links you mentioned.
Scott | Email | Homepage | 05.15.06 - 11:15 pm | #

NBC should snap Roberts up and put him next to Hayden. But they won't.

"Fifteen, ten, five...touchdown Irish!"
Sean | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:17 am | #

I'm not from Mizzou, but I thought Caray's firing in St. Louis was of a different nature than this one or Harwell's. Cardinal fans can correct me on that one.

Bob Uecker in Milwaukee is the same way as mentioned above - can talk for 5-10 minutes without ever giving the score.

ND pulled the trigger on Pagna, so one wonders if there was someone behind the curtains with regards to Westwood One. Don C. is not exactly an youngster himself. No more Tony Roberts for the NFL, either? Major bummer!

For a Tony fix, visit
http://alumni.nd.edu/~ndc_memp/d.../ directory.html and listen to the Rocket clips.

Before they hack it down, here's the bio from http://www.westwoodone.com/progr...m& programID=379

Tony Roberts is the play-by-play announcer for Westwood One’s coverage of Notre Dame football, and is also host of Westwood One’s daily sports features: Today In Sports, Today In Golf and Today In Auto Racing.
When people think of Westwood One, they often think of Roberts. A veteran announcer, Roberts has been with Westwood One for 23 years, focusing primarily on Notre Dame football, NFL Sunday afternoon games and basketball.

Growing up in Chicago, Roberts tuned his radio dial to Mutual/NBC sportscaster Bill Stern and knew it was what he wanted to do with his life. “What a thing to do,” said Roberts. “Back then, they did what Westwood One does now with our major college package. They had a game of the week and got to go all over and broadcast the games. I thought that was marvelous.” And so he was bitten by the radio bug.

After graduating from Columbia College in Chicago with a journalism degree, Roberts went on to become the voice of Indiana University basketball and football, Navy football, Washington Senators baseball and Washington Bullets (now Wizards) basketball. In addition to his play-by-play commitments, Roberts also broadcasts daily shows for Westwood One. Roberts has won seven Sportscaster of the Year awards and garnered the same number of AP sports reporting awards
Dad the Domer | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:21 am | #

That totally blows, I can't believe it! Definitely always turn the sound off on the TV and listen to Tony's play-by-play. I'm 24 years old, so I've literally grown up listening to Tony call our games, and I can't imagine that I'll never get to hear him do another one. Add me to the list of Domers who wish NBC would pick him up.
e-murph | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:27 am | #

Actually, Criqui was the guy I wanted to replace the two-headed idiot in the TV booth, Pattom Hamhaden.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:49 am | #

I can not believe this! Here's the link to Westwood One's program feedback...

http://www.westwoodone.com/pg/ js...tactprogram.jsp

Let them know what a royal mistake they've made. In my mind the executive that made this decision is obviously a Michigan grad and needs to be fired himself.

Un-Freakin'-Believable!!!

Go Irish!
BC | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 8:26 am | #

so many memories listening to 920am here in columbus.. boo to this.
ryan in ohio | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 9:22 am | #

Just posted this on Westwood One's feedback page.

Re: Tony Roberts

Big mistake. For the last 20 years, I've listened to every single game on your network. When watching on TV, I'd use Tony Roberts's voiceover. I'm not alone here -- just about every ND fan I know does the same thing. The reason we went out of our way to hear Tony was because his broadcasts were cultural events, full of personality and humanity. Further, his familiar voice communicated a sense of history that is so important to ND fans.

Criqui's a pro, and I'm sure that's what you're looking for: someone who can help your network ride this wave of popularity that Weis will bring with him. When ratings rise over the next few years, I'm sure all you'll all find a way to attribute them to the change in the booth (even though when the Irish are winning, you could put me in behind the mic and have a ratings uptick.)

Bottom line, though: You've lost me. The most loyal of listeners--one who tunes in for Nov. games in 7-5 seasons. In the future, when I want to hear a TV personality do the game, I'll turn up the volume on the TV. And if I can't be in front of the TV at gametime, well there's thing called Tivo. Maybe you've heard of it?
Hal | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 9:33 am | #

Sad sad day. I too would turn the surround sound off to listen to the am feed with my TV on. Seems I remember DC doing a ND game on NBC a few years back. Nothing to write home about. I wish TR the best, and hope DC works out.....
GRNDFan | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 9:52 am | #

Question for you Hal. Since you say you listen to every game, I was wondering if you think Roberts was still on top of his game. I've seen a few ND fans mention that while Roberts voice is Notre Dame football, lately he's been a bit tardy with the score/down/distance updates. If you are watching the game on TV and using him for color, I suspect its not a big deal, but if the radio is your sole means of getting the game I can understand why some might be a bit torn about the decision. What are your thoughts on his delivery of the basic facts about the game?
Pat | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 9:52 am | #

FYI...here's David Halberstam's email addy....feel free to let him know what a huge mistake he's made. I'm sure the emails won't change things much, but it doesn't hurt to let him know!

David_Halberstam@westwoodone.com
BC | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 10:59 am | #

Pat,

It's true Roberts has slipped a bit. He gets an occasional call wrong, and sometimes he starts commenting on what happened without telling the listener what transpired.

But he's nowhere near Keith Jackson territory, in my opinion. More important, his broadcasts give you something you can't get elsewhere -- a sense of being AT the game. Sometimes this is great, even when it's bad. For instance, at last year's SC game, he called 'game over' when Leinart fumbled out of bounds. He then went through the seven stages of grief as he worked through what was going on on the field.

On some level, this is maddening. My brother was at a wedding that day, and for about a half hour, eveyone thought ND had won the game. But there's something awesome about it at the same time. When Roberts calls a game, you can SEE the stadium. You feel like you're in the stands. It's the difference between participating and watching. That's what the great radio broadcasters like Roberts bring to the equation, and that's whaat we're likely to be missing come Sept.

No knock on Criqui -- he's a very nice guy and a real pro. But Roberts would be better in the booth, in my opinion. In a perfect world, it's Criqui on NBC and Roberts on the radio.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 11:05 am | #

Thanks Hal. Good stuff.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 11:44 am | #

Pat,

Thanks for giving me the chance to ramble :>)

Hal
Hal | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 11:59 am | #

Can't blame Robert's for the USC call, no one knew what was going on for more than a few minutes.

I think the endless minutes of plays under review sure makes it tough for radio as well.

Anyway, whenever I hear Robert's voice, I smell leaves burning, feel a chill and slip on a sweatshirt (torn) and usually end up on the front lawn with a rubber navy blue Irish football playing a pick-up game until dinner is announced.

Criqui can't do that.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:33 pm | #

Listen to the difference between Robert's call and Jackson's on Samardzjhadjkja's catch against Pitt.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 12:41 pm | #

Transcript from ND-PSU 1992:

Pagna: Gonna go for the two-pointer now!
Roberts: 64 yards. 13 plays. Three yard touchdown pass, Rick Mirer to Jerome Bettis, 16 to 15 Notre Dame trails. Back to throw, Mirer. Looks, looks, looks, rolls to the right. Pump fake - throws the ball, the pass is... CAUGHT REGGIE BROOKS! Reggie Brooks got it! For the two-pointer! And Notre Dame is out in front 17 to 16 with 20 seconds left!
MDL '02 | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:33 pm | #

Firing Tony Roberts sucks.

I know I'm in the minority, but I actually don't have a problem with Hammond & Haden. After suffering through Fouts ("The Irish called time out? What a huge break for Stanford!"), Jackson ("For the win..."), and Musberger ("A good old fashioned Buckeye butt-kicking!"), I find H&H to be just fine. They know all the players' names, get the calls generally right, and are pretty fair, especially considering Haden's a Trojan.

Still, no one can make the game as exciting as Tony Roberts.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 1:41 pm | #

That's very true Jeff. I've been slamming the NBC team for years but it wasn't until this year while listening to Musberger and Jackson that I realized we might actually be LUCKY to have Haden & Hammond. God, I never thought I'd say that.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 2:06 pm | #

Sounds like it was about $$$:

"A large [factor] apparently was Westwood One's decision to close its office in Washington. Roberts said Westwood One offered him a chance to do Notre Dame football and a few other assignments for the next two years, provided his salary was paid out of his severance pay". (SBT)

Apparently they traded some numbers above severance after that, but didn't reach terms.
irishcanuck | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 5:38 pm | #

I can't agree more with Hal's comments about Roberts; and being on the road and finding his voice on the AM dial as henry mentions. Tony Roberts is synonymous with Notre Dame football. Big mistake, Westwood One.

However to me, almost as disappointing as Roberts' dismissal is the thought that Roberts' will be replaced by Don Criqui. For years, Don Criqui was the reason I muted NBC's broadcasts of NFL football. It didn't help that Criqui and Trumpy were obviously biased towards the Bengals. Maybe a pro-ND Criqui will be tolerable.
John | Email | Homepage | 05.16.06 - 10:30 pm | #

I just cannot believe that Westwood One would drop Tony Roberts from ND Football. You cannot appreciate Roberts until you listen to other college football broadcasters, and I do not mean the people that are mentioned on this site. Listen to the broadcast of most any school's game, and you will realize how great Tony's call is. No one, I repeat, no one conveys the excitement of the game better than Tony Roberts. I will miss his call, commentary, and insight greatly.
Steve Diebold | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 12:36 am | #

absolute garbage

where has common sense gone...

Roberts IS the voice of ND football...
AC | Email | Homepage | 05.17.06 - 10:52 am | #

Let me get this straight...Keith "the Human Tape Delay" Jackson is allowed to blither on about half a decade after he had supposedly retired, Brent "the Mute Button's Best Friend" Musberger gets Jackson's gig when he finally goes to pasture, Pat "Don't Tell Notre Dame They're Paying a Trojan" Haden is about as entrenched as the Iraqi insurgents...and it's TONY ROBERTS who gets canned?!? In which alternative universe does this make sense?
Paul | Email | Homepage | 05.19.06 - 12:28 pm | #

anyone know of any sites with Roberts' sound clips on it? growing up, i listened to Roberts with my dad every saturday afternoon the notre's played while doing work in the garage. as it won't happen live again, i'd like to relive my childhood while i mourn. thanks.
stephen | Email | Homepage | 05.21.06 - 9:16 pm | #

You can Email David Halberstam, the one who made the call, at davidhalberstam@westwoodone.com
Joe | Email | Homepage | 05.25.06 - 4:00 pm | #

Correction, that's david_halberstam@westwoodone.com. Sorry
Joe | Email | Homepage | 05.25.06 - 4:12 pm | #

Give me a brake all. He was old and past his prime. Thats like Jack Buck retire and let somebody else do the job who is better and coherent. If you want nostaligia listen to that old dud Paul Harvey. This is the 90s and want a clear broadcast not some relic from the past.

Good move westwood one what took you so long.

gary gary@knbr.com
gary | Email | Homepage | 09.16.06 - 4:29 pm | #