ESPN Host John Saunders (1955-2016) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-10-2016, 12:18 PM

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John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61.

Saunders hosted studio and play-by-play programming. He covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network, in addition to anchoring SportsCenter. He was also host of The Sports Reporters.

Born in Canada, Saunders was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal. He played at Western Michigan and Ryerson Polytechnical in Toronto before becoming one of the most prominent broadcasters of his time.

Saunders was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and served on the board of directors.

"John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," said John Skipper, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, in a statement. "His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

"He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. But he became a voice on college basketball and the WNBA and hosted ESPN's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs from 1993 to 2004. He also worked on coverage of the World Series and Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

"John Saunders represented everything that was good in a human being. He was all about family and helping people," said Dick Vitale, a longtime colleague of Saunders. "He was as good as it gets and he had deep loyalty and love for others. His work with The V Foundation was so special -- he loved Jimmy V and poured his heart and soul into the cause.

"He was always willing to share and give, and he played a vital role in the success of helping so many. I can't believe this stunning and horrible news. He will be forever in our thoughts."

Other on-air colleagues of Saunders at ESPN took to social media to express their sorrow.

Western Michigan, one of the schools where Saunders played in the 1970s, remembered him too.

Saunders' survivors include his wife, Wanda, and daughters Aleah and Jenna.

Mr. Television · 08-10-2016, 01:25 PM

Wow. I'm shocked.

Dianne3 · 08-10-2016, 07:32 PM

I'm shocked too.

JSP · 08-10-2016, 07:41 PM

R.I.P.

EricIdlefan · 08-10-2016, 08:07 PM

Really sad may he RIP!

08-10-2016, 12:18 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,499	ESPN Host John Saunders (1955-2016) Link John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61. Saunders hosted studio and play-by-play programming. He covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network, in addition to anchoring SportsCenter. He was also host of The Sports Reporters. Born in Canada, Saunders was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal. He played at Western Michigan and Ryerson Polytechnical in Toronto before becoming one of the most prominent broadcasters of his time. Saunders was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and served on the board of directors. "John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," said John Skipper, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, in a statement. "His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. "He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time." Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. But he became a voice on college basketball and the WNBA and hosted ESPN's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs from 1993 to 2004. He also worked on coverage of the World Series and Major League Baseball All-Star Game. "John Saunders represented everything that was good in a human being. He was all about family and helping people," said Dick Vitale, a longtime colleague of Saunders. "He was as good as it gets and he had deep loyalty and love for others. His work with The V Foundation was so special -- he loved Jimmy V and poured his heart and soul into the cause. "He was always willing to share and give, and he played a vital role in the success of helping so many. I can't believe this stunning and horrible news. He will be forever in our thoughts." Other on-air colleagues of Saunders at ESPN took to social media to express their sorrow. Western Michigan, one of the schools where Saunders played in the 1970s, remembered him too. Saunders' survivors include his wife, Wanda, and daughters Aleah and Jenna.
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08-10-2016, 01:25 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Wow. I'm shocked.
	__________________ Sonny

08-10-2016, 08:07 PM	#5
EricIdlefan August Back To School Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Really sad may he RIP!
	__________________ August Back to School!

08-10-2016, 07:32 PM	#3
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,061	I'm shocked too.

08-10-2016, 07:41 PM	#4
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	R.I.P.