The Passing of a MAC Ambassador

Dave Diles, Sports Director of Detroit's WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) from 1961-1972 and 1979-1982, passed away on Dec. 27, 2009 accompanied by family members. Diles had recently been retired and living on his farm near Athens, Ohio. He was 78.

Dave was also an ABC-TV Sports announcer covering the Olympics, College Football, Indianapolis 500 racing, NBA Basketball, Pro Bowlers Tour and Wide World of Sports programming.

He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. During his storied career in broadcasting, he spent more than two decades at ABC. He hosted the Prudential College Football Scoreboard Show on ABC for more than 10 years.

He was a big supporter of Mid-American Conference sports and was a pioneer in doing women’s college features on television.

Diles really helped put the Ohio State vs Michigan college football rivalry on the sports map and received broadcasting awards for his pieces on the Rose Bowl.

He was a past President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and a frequent presenter at the North American International Auto Show.

Diles was a native of Pomeroy, Ohio and a superb athlete in his own right.

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He hosted one of the first radio call-in sports shows at Detroit's WXYZ-AM, "Dial Dave Diles." He also spent time writing -- as an Associated Press sports editor and as an author of several books including ones on Terry Bradshaw, Denny McLain, Archie Griffin, Duffy Daugherty and ABC Sports.

Dave's son, Dave Diles, Jr., was director of athletics at Eastern Michigan University for several years and currently holds that position at Case Western Reserve.

There is a scholarship in his name for students from Meigs, Mason and Gallia counties in Ohio.As a pioneer of sports talk radio and television broadcasting, we salute the hard work and professionalism of Dave Diles and extend condolences to his family. Arrangements are pending.

By: Raymond Rolak