[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E398-E399] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING JACK CRISTIL FOR HIS STORIED CAREER AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY ______ HON. GREGG HARPER of mississippi in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor Jack Cristil of Tupelo, Mississippi for his [[Page E399]] contribution to sports radio and television broadcasting, and specifically the state of Mississippi through his dedicated service as a Mississippi State University (MSU) announcer. For 58 years, Cristil has been at the microphone broadcasting across the radio airwaves for Mississippi State football and basketball games. Cristil began his career calling minor league baseball games in Tennessee and Alabama and later moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi to call high school football games. In 1953, Cristil was hired by MSU's Athletic Director C.R. ``Dudy'' Noble as the voice of the Bulldogs and Mississippi State football games. Four years later, in 1957, Cristil began to broadcast MSU basketball games as well. Cristil is a recipient of the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement award, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Broadcaster of the Year in 1988 and a 21-time winner of the Mississippi Broadcaster of the Year. Additionally, he was a recipient the Chris Shenkel Award in 1997 by the College Football Hall of Fame as well as being a 1991 inductee to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. On February 23, 2011, Cristil announced that due to urgent health reasons he would call his final Mississippi State University basketball game the following Saturday. Last weekend, millions of sports fans nationwide were privileged to listen briefly to Cristil's final broadcast during the Mississippi State versus the University of Tennessee basketball game when ESPN announcers went silent for a few moments allowing Cristil's live radio feed to broadcast over national television. Cristil was known for his commitment to journalistic professionalism in his broadcasts as well as his unique and trademark expressions such as, ``You can wrap this game in maroon and white!'' and ``Welcome to a sun-bathed Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium on the beautiful campus of Mississippi State University!'' To quote a story from the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper, The Clarion-Ledger, the following is a great representation of Cristil's attitude and personality: ``Of a State--Alabama football game when Bob Hope was on tour and doing a show that night in Tuscaloosa, unbeknownst to Cristil. Bear Bryant's boys, as usual, were beating up on State when somebody came by the visitors' radio booth and whispered to Cristil, `Hope is available at halftime if you want him.' Responded Cristil, `Fellow, I need some hope right now.' But Bob Hope did come by and did do the interview. `One of the best halftime guests I ever had,' Cristil says. `Funny and smart.' '' In his career, Cristil has broadcast over 1,500 basketball games and 636 football games, which is nearly 63 percent and 55 percent, respectively, of all of Mississippi State's games. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Jack Cristil's broadcasting career and service to Mississippi State University by saying as Jack Cristil would say: ``You can wrap it in maroon and white!'' ____________________