VOICE OF VICTORY: Tony Caridi Crowned National Broadcasting Legend with Dual ESPN Honors
MORGANTOWN, WV — In a moment that resonated from the hills of Appalachia to the studios of Bristol, Connecticut, legendary West Virginia University broadcaster Tony Caridi has achieved an unprecedented milestone in sports media history. Caridi, affectionately known as “The Voice of the Mountaineers,” was awarded two prestigious ESPN Honors for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting, a groundbreaking feat that has catapulted the WVU icon into national legend status.
At a star-studded gala in Los Angeles hosted by ESPN, Caridi received the “Lifetime Achievement in Collegiate Sports Broadcasting” and the “Voice of the Year” awards—becoming the first broadcaster ever to win both in the same year. The announcement was met with a thunderous standing ovation, including praise from broadcasting giants like Chris Fowler, Rece Davis, and Holly Rowe.
“This is for every West Virginia fan, every coal miner, every kid who tuned in on cold November nights. You gave my voice purpose,” Caridi said during an emotional acceptance speech, his signature baritone voice cracking slightly with emotion. “I never did this to be recognized—I did it because I love telling the story of this incredible place and its people.”
Caridi, who has served as the play-by-play announcer for WVU football and basketball for over three decades, is a beloved fixture not just in Morgantown, but throughout the state and beyond. His iconic calls—“It’s a great night to be a Mountaineer wherever you may be!”—have become rallying cries for generations of fans.
The dual awards were granted after a national committee of journalists, former athletes, and media professionals voted unanimously in favor of Caridi, citing his “unmatched consistency, heartfelt delivery, and impact on collegiate sports culture.” ESPN also released a feature documentary titled “Golden Voice, Blue Ridge Heart,” chronicling his career and the community he’s uplifted through soundwaves.
Mountaineer nation erupted in celebration. Thousands of students gathered on High Street, lighting sparklers and waving WVU flags while Caridi’s legendary game calls were broadcast over loudspeakers. Governor Andrea Mitchell even declared June 20th “Tony Caridi Day” across the state, with all public schools airing a tribute segment in the morning announcements.
Current and former WVU athletes flooded social media with tributes. Former quarterback Pat White tweeted, “Nobody captured our spirit like Tony. He made us believe in ourselves—even when we were down.” Basketball star Jevon Carter echoed the sentiment, writing, “He’s more than a broadcaster. He’s a brother, a motivator, a legend.”
In a time when sports broadcasting is evolving rapidly with technology and AI, Caridi’s win stands as a testament to the power of authenticity, storytelling, and human connection. As ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Content Lila Williams put it: “Tony Caridi reminds us all that broadcasting isn’t about noise—it’s about voice. And his voice has carried West Virginia to the world.”
From the press box at Milan Puskar Stadium to national stage lights, Tony Caridi’s voice now echoes louder than ever—and not just through the mountains, but through the soul of college sports itself.
