Carroll Cook

Education

Cook graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954, then served for two years in the United States. Army.

Career

He was a college football historian and commentator. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954. Cook received his unusual nickname at the age of seven from a neighbor in Pittsburgh, as a reference to his recent move from Boston (nicknamed Beantown).

He was a sports publicist for the University of Pittsburgh from 1956 to March 1966, worked for the Miami Dolphins for one season, served as a publicist for both American Broadcasting Company and Columbia Broadcasting System in New York, and spent time as a vice president with the Pittsburgh Civic Arena when it was run by Edward DeBartolo, Senior

In between those stints, Cook volunteered with Volunteers in Service to America in Florida in 1976. Foreign a brief period in the late 1980s, Cook did commentary on WPXI-television in Pittsburgh.

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

Cook joined Entertainment and Sports Programming Network in 1986 as a studio commentator. He also did freelance radio and television work in the Pittsburgh area.

He was most recently seen on ESPNEWS every Thursday on The Hot List debating with Brian Kenny.

Cook could be heard weekly on Entertainment and Sports Programming Network Radio during The Herd with Colin Cowherd and on Wednesdays he was a special guest on Entertainment and Sports Programming Network Radio"s I-Formation hosted by Ivan Maisel. He also appeared weekly on Pittsburgh"s Fox Sports Radio 970 Department of Administration and Management, WBGG-Department of Administration and Management, weekly during football season at 8 a.m. PT on the Mitch in The Morning Show on Sports Radio 950 KJR Department of Administration and Management in Seattle.

He co-hosted the ESPNU College Football Podcast on Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.com and iTunes with Maisel.

He was an occasional guest of Mark Madden on Entertainment and Sports Programming Network 1250 in Pittsburgh as well as Entertainment and Sports Programming Network Radio"s AllNight with Jason Smith show. Known for his frequent historical references and his affinity for college football played in the Upper Midwest and Rust Belt states, he possessed a quick wit and a penchant for telling humorous stories.

After the Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn offered the returning hostages from the Iran hostage crisis lifetime passes to Major League Baseball games, Cook quipped, "Haven"t they suffered enough?"

Cook was also often referred to as the "Pope of College Football" due to his knowledge and tenure with the game. He was a college football and media legend.

Blog

Beano Cook began a blog in 2010, covering topics other than college football.

Bert McGrane Award

Cook was found after dying in his sleep on the morning of October 11, 2012. He was buried at Pittsburgh"s Allegheny Cemetery.

Achievements

• lieutenant was announced on December 8, 2010 on ESPNU that Cook was the 2010 winner of the Bert McGrane Award.