STARKVILLE — In 1979, John Correro was a spotter working on Mississippi State’s football broadcasts when he was asked to move into the booth as color analyst alongside legendary play-by-play broadcaster Jack Cristil.
At the time, Cristil had been on the microphone for MSU sports for 26 years, and he would continue in the same position for 32 more years.
Correro served as Cristil’s color voice for 12 years before moving to the sideline in 1991, where he works today. Correro worked with Cristil on MSU broadcasts for 33 years, making him one of Cristil’s longest-standing partners.
This week, Correro talked with The Dispatch about Cristil, who died Sunday at the age of 88.
Dispatch: When did your association with Mr. Cristil begin?
Correro: Been 33 years as far as the broadcasts go. But I spotted for him probably five years before that. When we went to a different format in 1979, Emory Bellard was coaching then, I was fortunate to become the color analyst. Then when coach Sherrill came in, around 1991, he wanted someone down on the field, so I moved to the sideline.
Dispatch: If someone approaches you today and asks you about your 33 years with Jack Cristil, what would be the first thing that comes to your mind?
Correro: It was phenomenal. People used to ask me all the time what it was like working with Jack, and to watch him in the radio booth … He was broadcasting, continually writing, continually smoking, it was just phenomenal to sit back and watch him do his job as a professional. He always gave a great description of what was going on. That was one of the main things he talked about, his goal of letting the people back home visualize what was actually happening. He was the best, as far as I was concerned, of letting those people at home know what was happening on the field.
Dispatch: What was it like traveling with Jack, as far as his interactions with Bulldog fans at home and on the road?
Correro: It was unreal. We’d get off the bus, and as soon as you get off the bus, we’d always have a big crowd of Bulldog fans waiting for us. Jack was always one of the first ones the fans would go to. They’d speak to him, want their picture taken, want his autograph. Our people just loved him.
Dispatch: When was the last time you talked to him?
Correro: About three months ago. I called him on a Tuesday morning to check on him. We didn’t get to talk long because of his treatments. He did that three days a week. I didn’t talk with him very long, but he was in great spirits. He seemed to be doing well.
Dispatch: What is Jack Cristil’s lasting legacy at Mississippi State?
Correro: I’ve been around a long time. I played here, I coached here, I’ve been involved with the alumni association at Mississippi State University for over 36 years. I can say Jack is by far the greatest ambassador this university has ever had.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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