Joe Tait
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Tait is an American
sports broadcaster
, who called the radio play by play for the Cleveland Cavaliers
of the NBA
. With the exception of two seasons in the early 1980s and illness in 2010-11, he has been the Cavaliers' radio announcer since the team's inception in 1970. He won the Basketball Hall of Fame
2010 Curt Gowdy Media Award
.
. He attended in Monmouth College
in western Illinois
, where he began his radio career. He did various jobs, including play-by-play on the college radio station (WRAM), sports reports, and operations manager. He graduated in 1959. After college, Tait spent three years in the United States Army Security Agency
.
After the Army, Tait bounced around, spending time in Decatur, Illinois
. He taught sportscasting at Ohio University
from 1966 to 1968, served as the network voice of Indiana University
football, and was the pre-game host for the Indiana Pacers
in 1969.
for the first two years. After then-owner Nick Mileti
, who also owned the Cleveland Indians
, bought radio station WWWE in 1972, the radio broadcasts for both teams were moved from WERE to WWWE. Tait was the radio announcer for the Indians from 1973 through 1979 along with Herb Score
, and their TV announcer with a variety of partners from 1980 through 1987.
However, prior to the 1980-1981 season
, new controversial Cavs' team owner Ted Stepien
had a disagreement with WWWE. Consequently, the station gave the broadcasting rights back to Stepien. Yet, many Cleveland fans mistakenly believe that Tait was fired by Stepien.
In the interim, Tait was the radio announcer for the New Jersey Nets
for the 1980-1981 season. The following year he switched to television, calling play-by-play Chicago Bulls
games on SportsVision
, the team's cable-TV station. He also broadcast
the CBS Radio
College Game-of-the-Week.
When new owners Gordon
and George Gund III bought the team, Tait returned to the Cavaliers for the 1982-1983 season
, and has remained ever since. In 1987, he was named vice president of broadcast services, a job that he continues today.
For fifteen seasons (during the basketball off-season), Tait was also a play by play voice for the Cleveland Indians
(on the radio from 1973–1979, then switching to television from 1980–1987).
In 1992, he was inducted into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio.
From 1997 to 2003, Tait also served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA) Cleveland Rockers
.
In 2004, Tait was selected as a founding member of the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Beginning in 2008, Tait has done play by play for the Mount Union College
Purple Raiders, a Division III college football team, on regional cable-TV sports network SportsTime Ohio
. He is on the school's board of trustees.
He also calls high school basketball games for WEOL
-AM 930.
On March 26, 2008, Tait announced his 3000th game for the Cavaliers, against the New Orleans Hornets, where he sat at half court. The radio broadcast location at The Q
, at section C126, has been forever renamed The Joe Tait Perch in honor of this achievement.
In November 2008, Tait signed a two-year contract extension, which ensures that he will be the team's radio voice until at least the 2010-11 season. However, he has a lifetime agreement with team.
In May 2010, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced that Tait would receive the 2010 Curt Gowdy Media Award
, which will be presented on August 12–13, 2010.
On May 17, 2010, WTAM
announced that he would retire from broadcasting at the end of the 2011 season.
During the 2010 preseason, Tait was hospitalized with pneumonia
, and further testing showed he needed heart surgery. This would cause Tait to miss the most of the 2010-2011 season. Mike Snyder and Jim Chones
were announced as the interim radio team during Tait's recovery.http://www.ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com On March 25, 2011 it was announced that Tait would return to call the remaining home games of the season.
On April 8, 2011 in a game against the Chicago Bulls, the Cavaliers honored Tait by having Joe Tait Appreciation Night and by raising a banner with Tait's name, his years as a Cavaliers broadcaster and a microphone next to the other Cavalier retired numbers. The Cavaliers lost 93-82.
Tait's final game was the April 13, 2011 contest between the Cavaliers and Washington Wizards
. The Cavaliers sent Tait out as a winner, defeating Washington 100-91.
In 2011 Tait co-authored his memoir, Joe Tait: It's Been a Real Ball with sports writer Terry Pluto
. The book covers his early years in broadcasting, his time with covering the Cleveland Indians and his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sports broadcaster
Broadcasting of sports events
The broadcasting of sports events is the coverage of sports as a television program, on radio and other broadcasting media. It usually involves one or more sports commentators describing the events as they happen.-United States:...
, who called the radio play by play for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. With the exception of two seasons in the early 1980s and illness in 2010-11, he has been the Cavaliers' radio announcer since the team's inception in 1970. He won the Basketball Hall of Fame
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
2010 Curt Gowdy Media Award
Curt Gowdy Media Award
The Curt Gowdy Media Award is an annual award given by the Basketball Hall of Fame to outstanding basketball writers and broadcasters. It is named for American sportscaster Curt Gowdy, who was the Hall of Fame's president for seven years...
.
Early life and education
Tait was born in Evanston, IllinoisEvanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
. He attended in Monmouth College
Monmouth College
Monmouth College is a four-year coeducational private liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Illinois, United States.-History:Monmouth College was founded on April 18, 1853 by the Second Presbytery of Illinois, a frontier arm of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church...
in western Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, where he began his radio career. He did various jobs, including play-by-play on the college radio station (WRAM), sports reports, and operations manager. He graduated in 1959. After college, Tait spent three years in the United States Army Security Agency
United States Army Security Agency
The United States Army Security Agency was the United States Army's signal intelligence branch. Its motto was "Vigilant Always." The Agency existed between 1945 and 1976 and was the successor to Army signal intelligence operations dating back to World War I...
.
After the Army, Tait bounced around, spending time in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
. He taught sportscasting at Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
from 1966 to 1968, served as the network voice of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
football, and was the pre-game host for the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in 1969.
Career
In 1970, Tait began his longtime association with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were in their first year of existence. The games were broadcast on WEREWERE
WERE — branded News/Talk 1490 WERE-AM — is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland Heights, Ohio broadcasting a news/talk format. The station is owned by Radio One, and has studios at 2510 St. Clair Avenue, while the transmitter is along Euclid Avenue near East 118th Street, adjacent to...
for the first two years. After then-owner Nick Mileti
Nick Mileti
Nick James Mileti was, during the 1970s, the owner of the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Crusaders hockey team, the Coliseum at Richfield and radio station "3WE" WWWE AM/1100 ....
, who also owned the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, bought radio station WWWE in 1972, the radio broadcasts for both teams were moved from WERE to WWWE. Tait was the radio announcer for the Indians from 1973 through 1979 along with Herb Score
Herb Score
Herbert Jude Score was a Major League Baseball pitcher and announcer.-Athletic career:Score came up as a rookie in with the Cleveland Indians...
, and their TV announcer with a variety of partners from 1980 through 1987.
However, prior to the 1980-1981 season
1980-81 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz*Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
, new controversial Cavs' team owner Ted Stepien
Ted Stepien
Ted Stepien was the former owner of the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers. After becoming wealthy as the founder of Nationwide Advertising Service, Stepien purchased the Cavaliers in the spring of 1980...
had a disagreement with WWWE. Consequently, the station gave the broadcasting rights back to Stepien. Yet, many Cleveland fans mistakenly believe that Tait was fired by Stepien.
In the interim, Tait was the radio announcer for the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for the 1980-1981 season. The following year he switched to television, calling play-by-play Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
games on SportsVision
Sportsvision
Sportsvision was a subscription TV service founded by Chicago White Sox owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn, and media mogul Fred Eychaner. The service broadcast live sporting events....
, the team's cable-TV station. He also broadcast
the CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
College Game-of-the-Week.
When new owners Gordon
Gordon Gund
Gordon Gund is an United States businessman and professional sports owner. He is the CEO of Gund Investment Corporation. He is the former co-owner of the San Jose Sharks and former principal owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and is currently a minority owner of the Cavaliers...
and George Gund III bought the team, Tait returned to the Cavaliers for the 1982-1983 season
1982-83 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Terry Cummings, San Diego Clippers*Defensive Player of the Year: Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks...
, and has remained ever since. In 1987, he was named vice president of broadcast services, a job that he continues today.
For fifteen seasons (during the basketball off-season), Tait was also a play by play voice for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(on the radio from 1973–1979, then switching to television from 1980–1987).
In 1992, he was inducted into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio.
From 1997 to 2003, Tait also served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA) Cleveland Rockers
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
.
In 2004, Tait was selected as a founding member of the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Beginning in 2008, Tait has done play by play for the Mount Union College
Mount Union College
The University of Mount Union is a 4-year private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Alliance, Ohio.Mount Union enrolls 2200 undergraduates. Approximately 50 percent are women and 50 percent are men, representing more than 22 states and 13 countries. Mount Union has an active alumni base of...
Purple Raiders, a Division III college football team, on regional cable-TV sports network SportsTime Ohio
SportsTime Ohio
SportsTime Ohio is a regional sports network in Cleveland and northern Ohio, launched in 2006. It was created to air Cleveland Indians games, and is owned by the family which owns the team. It is also the cable television home of the Cleveland Browns...
. He is on the school's board of trustees.
He also calls high school basketball games for WEOL
WEOL
WEOL — branded AM930 WEOL — is a commercial radio station licensed to Elyria, Ohio. The station serves both Elyria and Lorain, as well as the western portion of Greater Cleveland...
-AM 930.
On March 26, 2008, Tait announced his 3000th game for the Cavaliers, against the New Orleans Hornets, where he sat at half court. The radio broadcast location at The Q
Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States....
, at section C126, has been forever renamed The Joe Tait Perch in honor of this achievement.
In November 2008, Tait signed a two-year contract extension, which ensures that he will be the team's radio voice until at least the 2010-11 season. However, he has a lifetime agreement with team.
In May 2010, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced that Tait would receive the 2010 Curt Gowdy Media Award
Curt Gowdy Media Award
The Curt Gowdy Media Award is an annual award given by the Basketball Hall of Fame to outstanding basketball writers and broadcasters. It is named for American sportscaster Curt Gowdy, who was the Hall of Fame's president for seven years...
, which will be presented on August 12–13, 2010.
On May 17, 2010, WTAM
WTAM
WTAM — branded Newsradio WTAM 1100 — is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, serving Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts primarily a news/talk format...
announced that he would retire from broadcasting at the end of the 2011 season.
During the 2010 preseason, Tait was hospitalized with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, and further testing showed he needed heart surgery. This would cause Tait to miss the most of the 2010-2011 season. Mike Snyder and Jim Chones
Jim Chones
James Bernett Chones is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" forward/center, Chones starred at Marquette University, where he earned All-America honors as a junior in 1972 after averaging 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game...
were announced as the interim radio team during Tait's recovery.http://www.ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com On March 25, 2011 it was announced that Tait would return to call the remaining home games of the season.
On April 8, 2011 in a game against the Chicago Bulls, the Cavaliers honored Tait by having Joe Tait Appreciation Night and by raising a banner with Tait's name, his years as a Cavaliers broadcaster and a microphone next to the other Cavalier retired numbers. The Cavaliers lost 93-82.
Tait's final game was the April 13, 2011 contest between the Cavaliers and Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. The Cavaliers sent Tait out as a winner, defeating Washington 100-91.
In 2011 Tait co-authored his memoir, Joe Tait: It's Been a Real Ball with sports writer Terry Pluto
Terry Pluto
Terry Pluto is an award-winning sportswriter who primarily writes columns for The Plain Dealer, and formerly for the Akron Beacon Journal about Cleveland sports and religion. He has been named Ohio Sportswriter of the Year eight times...
. The book covers his early years in broadcasting, his time with covering the Cleveland Indians and his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Signature Calls
- It's basketball time at the Q (or the name of the arena for road games) - what he opens every broadcast with.
- Wham with the Right Hand! - for a Cavs slam dunk
- To-the-line, to-the-lane - when a player is driving through the free throw laneKey (basketball)The key, officially referred to as the free throw lane by the National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association , the restricted area by the international governing body FIBA, and colloquially as the shaded lane and the paint, is an area in a basketball court...
. - 3-ball - for 3 point shots (coined the term).
- Have a good night everybody! - what he closes every broadcast with.
- Sights it, shoots it, got it - for a free throw make
- It's a beautiful day/night for baseball! - what he used to open every Cleveland Indians' broadcast with.
- "Got It!" - when a Cavalier makes a three point shot.
Personal life
Tait married his first wife in 1963. They were married 18 years and had three children, Christina, Karen and Joe. In 1983, he married his current wife, Jean. He and Jean reside in Lafayette Township, Medina County, OhioLafayette Township, Medina County, Ohio
Lafayette Township is one of the seventeen townships of Medina County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 4,329 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the central part of the county, it borders the following townships:*York Township - north...
.