Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Patrick

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 22, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mike Patrick made an impact.

Michael "Mike" Patrick (born December 20, 1943), is a retired American sportscaster. He is best known for his extensive career at ESPN. Patrick contributed to various college football and basketball broadcasts, solidifying his presence in sports media. His broadcasting career spanned several decades, during which he became a recognizable voice and face in the world of sports broadcasting. Patrick's contributions to ESPN helped shape the network's sports coverage during a significant period of its growth.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1966: Started broadcasting career

In 1966, Patrick began his broadcasting career at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pennsylvania.

1970: Named Sports Director

In 1970, Patrick was named Sports Director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida.

1973: Play-by-play for Jacksonville Sharks

In 1973, Michael Patrick provided play-by-play for Jacksonville Sharks' World Football League telecasts.

1975: Worked for WJLA-TV

In 1975, Patrick began working for WJLA-TV as a sports reporter and weekend anchor.

1982: Joined ESPN

In 1982, Patrick joined ESPN.

1982: End of WJLA-TV Work

In 1982, Patrick's work for WJLA-TV as a sports reporter and weekend anchor came to an end.

1984: Called ACC games for Jefferson-Pilot Sports

In 1984, Michael Patrick called ACC games for Jefferson-Pilot Sports with Kevin Kiley.

October 19, 1985: Auburn vs Georgia Tech game

On October 19, 1985, Patrick called the Auburn vs Georgia Tech game for CBS with Steve Davis.

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December 21, 1985: Division 1-AA National Championship game

On December 21, 1985, Patrick called the Division 1-AA National Championship game on ESPN between Georgia Southern and Furman with Sam Adkins.

1985: Continued calling ACC games

In 1985, Patrick continued to call ACC games for Jefferson-Pilot Sports, working with Haven Moses and Ken Willard.

1986: College football on ESPN

In 1986, he called college football on ESPN with Pat McInally.

1987: Sunday Night Football telecasts

In 1987, Patrick began his role as play-by-play announcer on ESPN's Sunday Night Football telecasts, working with Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann.

1987: College football with Lee Corso

In 1987, Patrick called college football on ESPN with color commentator Lee Corso.

1988: College football with Kiley

In 1988, Michael Patrick continued calling college football on ESPN with Kevin Kiley.

1989: Called three college games

In 1989, Patrick called three college games; two with Gene Washington and one with Ben Bennett.

1990: Called three more college games

In 1990, Patrick called three more college games, two with Steve Davis, and on September 29, he called his first game with Mike Gottfried.

1991: Thursday Night college football games

From 1991, Patrick and Mike Gottfried called Thursday Night college football games on ESPN.

1996: NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship

In 1996, Patrick began calling men's and women's college basketball, including the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship.

1997: End of Thursday Night college football games

In 1997, Patrick and Mike Gottfried stopped calling Thursday Night college football games on ESPN.

2003: College World Series

In 2003, Patrick started calling the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

2005: End of Sunday Night Football role

In 2005, Patrick's role as play-by-play announcer on ESPN's Sunday Night Football telecasts concluded.

2006: Lead play-by-play announcer

In 2006, Patrick became the lead play-by-play announcer for ESPN on College Football Primetime, alongside Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe.

July 2009: College Football Season Announcement

In July 2009, ESPN announced that Patrick would begin calling Saturday afternoon ESPN/ABC college football.

2009: End of NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship

In 2009, Patrick stopped calling the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship.

2014: End of College World Series

In 2014, Patrick stopped calling the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

2015: Cleveland Browns preseason football games

In 2015, Patrick did play-by-play for the Cleveland Browns preseason football games.

2016: Cleveland Browns preseason football games

In 2016, Patrick continued to do play-by-play for the Cleveland Browns preseason football games.

2017: Cleveland Browns preseason football games

In 2017, Patrick continued to do play-by-play for the Cleveland Browns preseason football games.

2017: End of Saturday afternoon college football

In 2017, Patrick stopped calling Saturday afternoon ESPN/ABC college football.

February 21, 2018: Retired from ESPN

On February 21, 2018, Patrick retired from ESPN after 35 years with the network.

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