Bill Mercer
Encyclopedia
Bill Mercer is an American
sportscaster
, educator and author, originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma
, who now lives in Richardson, Texas
. In 2002, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
, Mercer served in the United States Navy
from 1943-1946 aboard the USS Rixie and USS LCI(G)439 as a Signalman. Mercer headed to college after the war where he received a Bachelors degree from the University of Denver
in 1949 and a masters degree from North Texas State University in 1966.
in 1963. He and fellow reporters George Phenix, Wes Wise and Bob Huffaker wrote When the News Went Live about their experiences during that time. Mercer also wrote Play-by-Play: Tales from a Sportscasting Insider about his experiences in sportscasting. Mercer also had a stint during the 1980s as sports anchor for KVIL morning host Ron Chapman, and spent over 35 years teaching new generations of sports broadcasters in the University of North Texas Radio/TV Department .
(Triple A baseball) from 1959–64, Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs
(Texas League
baseball) 1965-1971. He then moved up to broadcast for major league baseball teams Texas Rangers
(major league baseball) in 1972 (with Don Drysdale
) and Chicago White Sox
in 1974. Mercer also provided play-by-play for University of North Texas
(known as North Texas State until 1989) football and basketball from 1959-1994. Dallas Texans
(American Football League
in 1960 with Charlie Jones
, Dallas Cowboys
(National Football League) from 1966-1971 including the team's Super Bowl appearance in 1972. He provided color commentary with Jay Randolph
in 1965 for the Dallas Cowboys and then became the play-by-play announcer when Randolph moved to St. Louis. In the 1980s Mercer broadcast Southwest Conference football and basketball for Mutual Radio
. He also assisted Mike Capps with play-by-play for the Round Rock Express
minor league baseball of the Texas League
and currently the Pacific Coast League and the past three years with Scott Garner of the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League. While at KRLD in Dallas he served seven years as color commentator for CBS Radio
broadcasts of the Cotton Bowl Classic college football bowl games. He is also famous for calling the famous "Ice Bowl
"', the NFL championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers
in 1967, along with the Cowboys' first two Super Bowl
appearances (also for the NFL championship).
During his time at UNT, he called games involving Kevin Adkisson and Steve Williams
, who both became professional wrestlers under the names Kevin Von Erich
and Stone Cold Steve Austin
respectively. He also was the announcer at UNT when Joe Greene was an All American Greene later starred for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
(WCCW), based in Dallas
. Mercer also worked as a wrestling announcer in the 1950s in Muskogee, Oklahoma
and late 1950s and 1960s both at the Dallas Sportatorium
and during in-studio wrestling events at KRLD-TV (present day KDFW-TV) Channel 4.
During his time with World Class, he, Mickey Grant and Gary Hart
became prominent figures in the success of the organization.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
, educator and author, originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
, who now lives in Richardson, Texas
Richardson, Texas
Richardson is a city in Dallas and Collin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 99,223. In 2011 the population was estimated to be 107,684. Richardson is an affluent inner suburb of Dallas and home of the Telecom Corridor with a high...
. In 2002, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
Personal
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Mercer served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1943-1946 aboard the USS Rixie and USS LCI(G)439 as a Signalman. Mercer headed to college after the war where he received a Bachelors degree from the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
in 1949 and a masters degree from North Texas State University in 1966.
Career
Mercer was best known as a play-by-play radio announcer for baseball, football, basketball and wrestling. He was also a news reporter for KRLD covering the John F. Kennedy assassinationJohn F. Kennedy assassination
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
in 1963. He and fellow reporters George Phenix, Wes Wise and Bob Huffaker wrote When the News Went Live about their experiences during that time. Mercer also wrote Play-by-Play: Tales from a Sportscasting Insider about his experiences in sportscasting. Mercer also had a stint during the 1980s as sports anchor for KVIL morning host Ron Chapman, and spent over 35 years teaching new generations of sports broadcasters in the University of North Texas Radio/TV Department .
Play by Play
In his 60+ year career Mercer provided play-by-play broadcasting for minor league teams first the Muskogee Giants of the Class C Western Association; Dallas RangersDallas Rangers
The Dallas Rangers were a high-level minor league baseball team located in Dallas, Texas, from 1958-64. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958-59 and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960-63...
(Triple A baseball) from 1959–64, Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs
Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs
The Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs were an American minor league baseball team in the Texas League from 1965 to 1971. The team played in Turnpike Stadium in Arlington, Texas....
(Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
baseball) 1965-1971. He then moved up to broadcast for major league baseball teams Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(major league baseball) in 1972 (with Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
) and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in 1974. Mercer also provided play-by-play for University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
(known as North Texas State until 1989) football and basketball from 1959-1994. Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
in 1960 with Charlie Jones
Charlie Jones
Charles "Charlie" Jones was a Welsh international footballer.Born in Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, Jones started his career at Cardiff City, but was released in the summer of 1921 after just one appearance, a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City...
, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
(National Football League) from 1966-1971 including the team's Super Bowl appearance in 1972. He provided color commentary with Jay Randolph
Jay Randolph
Jennings "Jay" Randolph, Jr. is an American sportscaster whose career has spanned more than fifty years.-Early life and career:...
in 1965 for the Dallas Cowboys and then became the play-by-play announcer when Randolph moved to St. Louis. In the 1980s Mercer broadcast Southwest Conference football and basketball for Mutual Radio
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
. He also assisted Mike Capps with play-by-play for the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
minor league baseball of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
and currently the Pacific Coast League and the past three years with Scott Garner of the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League. While at KRLD in Dallas he served seven years as color commentator for CBS Radio
CBS Radio Network
The CBS Radio Network provides news, sports and other programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the United States. The network is owned by CBS Corporation, and operated by CBS Radio ....
broadcasts of the Cotton Bowl Classic college football bowl games. He is also famous for calling the famous "Ice Bowl
NFL Championship Game, 1967
The 1967 National Football League Championship Game between the Western Conference champion Green Bay Packers and the Eastern Conference champion Dallas Cowboys was the 35th championship game in NFL history. The game was held at Lambeau Field on December 31, 1967. The winner of the game was...
"', the NFL championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in 1967, along with the Cowboys' first two Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
appearances (also for the NFL championship).
During his time at UNT, he called games involving Kevin Adkisson and Steve Williams
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
, who both became professional wrestlers under the names Kevin Von Erich
Kevin Von Erich
Kevin Ross Adkisson is a retired professional wrestler under the ring name Kevin Von Erich of the Von Erich Family. He is the last surviving son of wrestler Fritz Von Erich and had four brothers that wrestled, David, Kerry, Mike and Chris, as well as an older brother, Jack, Jr., who died in...
and Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
respectively. He also was the announcer at UNT when Joe Greene was an All American Greene later starred for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wrestling
Mercer provided play-by-play announcer for World Class Championship WrestlingWorld Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
(WCCW), based in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. Mercer also worked as a wrestling announcer in the 1950s in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
and late 1950s and 1960s both at the Dallas Sportatorium
Dallas Sportatorium
The Sportatorium, located in downtown Dallas, Texas , was a barn-like arena used primarily for professional wrestling events...
and during in-studio wrestling events at KRLD-TV (present day KDFW-TV) Channel 4.
During his time with World Class, he, Mickey Grant and Gary Hart
Gary Hart (wrestler)
Gary Richard Williams, was a former professional wrestling manager, as well as a professional wrestler in his early career, best known by his ring name Gary Hart...
became prominent figures in the success of the organization.
Awards
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame (2002 inductee)
- University of North TexasUniversity of North TexasThe University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
Athletic Department Hall of Fame - Texas Baseball Ex-Pro's Baseball Hall of Fame
- Oklahoma Sports Museum, Guthrie, Oklahoma: The Bill Teegins Award
- Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame, April 2009