VOICE OF VICTORY: WVU Iconic Broadcaster Tony Caridi Clinches Dual ESPN Awards for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting
In a historic sweep that’s left the sports media world buzzing, West Virginia University’s iconic voice, Tony Caridi, has just clinched two prestigious ESPN Awards for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. With over three decades of play-by-play narration, Caridi’s booming baritone—equal parts Appalachian soul and professional polish—has long been the heartbeat of Mountaineer athletics. But this time, the national spotlight caught up to what West Virginians have known for years: Tony Caridi isn’t just a broadcaster—he’s a legend.
The awards—Best Live Game Broadcast and Outstanding Collegiate Broadcaster—represent a rare double honor, and mark the first time a non-network national figure has swept both categories. ESPN’s choice stunned industry insiders, especially as Caridi edged out heavyweights from the SEC Network and even CBS’s Jim Nantz for the top spots. Some critics called it a “regional overreach,” but Mountaineer fans call it justice.
Born in Lockport, New York, Caridi found his way to Morgantown in 1984, and it didn’t take long for his cadence to become the voiceprint of a state craving representation. His calls—“It’s a great day to be a Mountaineer, wherever you may be!”—aren’t just catchphrases; they’re declarations of identity. Whether broadcasting football from a rain-drenched Milan Puskar Stadium or narrating the pulse of March Madness, Caridi’s voice brings clarity in the chaos.
But not everyone’s thrilled. Some ESPN insiders reportedly lobbied against the decision, citing Caridi’s lack of exposure on national TV and alleging a “sentimental bias” from the selection committee. Others argue that the awards are an overdue disruption to a broadcasting industry that’s long favored polished studio anchors over gritty, regionally embedded voices. “It’s not about reach—it’s about resonance,” said one ESPN executive anonymously. “Caridi connects in a way algorithms can’t measure.”
Even more controversial? A leaked memo suggesting Caridi’s win was part of a quiet ESPN push to diversify geographic representation in sports media. Critics say the awards were a PR move to regain trust from college sports fans disillusioned with what they perceive as a Big Ten–SEC media monopoly. Caridi, ever gracious, shrugged off the speculation: “I don’t worry about why the spotlight turns—just that I’ve done my best when it does.”
Still, there’s no denying the impact. West Virginia University held a campus-wide celebration, and Governor Jim Justice issued a proclamation declaring June 1st “Tony Caridi Day” statewide. Meanwhile, rival fanbases stew, accusing ESPN of turning honors into a “heartland popularity contest.”
But the fans know. The kids who grew up falling asleep to Caridi’s voice on the radio, the grandfathers who’ve tuned in for decades, the alumni across the world streaming games from overseas—they all say the same thing: finally.
Tony Caridi didn’t just win awards—he validated a community, a culture, and a legacy. In a sport obsessed with numbers, he proved that voice matters.
And his? It’s the voice of victory.
