Stan Savran, who spent over 50 years in sports broadcasting capturing Pittsburgh’s transformation into the “City of Champions,” has passed away. He was 76. Savran was a sports anchor for WTAE-TV in the 1980s. On Monday, the station reported Savran’s passing. Savran, who resided in Upper St. Clair in the city’s southern suburbs, had been open about his recent fight with lung cancer, but no official cause of death was revealed.
The Cleveland native, affectionately referred to as the “Godfather” of Pittsburgh sports, moved to his adopted hometown in 1976 and has never left. In Pittsburgh, he started his career in radio before transitioning to TV and working part-time as a newspaper columnist. Savran was most known for co-hosting the daily “SportsBeat” program on local TV with Guy Junker.
The series aired from 1991 to 2009 and was a must-see for supporters in a community passionate about its professional sports teams. Callers would frequently begin their conversations with “Stan, Guy, love the show,” a saying Savran retained with him when the program’s long run ended. Longtime KDKA TV sports anchor Bob Pompeani stated, “You will not find a better person, someone who has been so helpful to people like me and so many others, who asked for his time;
he was always gracious to help young people in our business.” Savran became one of the most respected voices in a congested media environment by fusing his unwavering work ethic, almost extensive sports knowledge, and outspoken yet direct delivery. His adaptability allowed him to assume various roles, including hosting pre-game shows for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins and hosting an eponymous radio show on multiple occasions.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates wrote, “We loved the show, but more importantly, Stan, we loved you.” Savran also served the Pittsburgh Steelers in various ways, including on their radio network and as a Hall of Honor committee member. In a statement, Steelers President Art Rooney II stated, “He was a gentleman in every way, and he did so much for our city and Western Pa.
with his honest honesty and knowledge of all sports, both locally and nationally.” Savran was able to operate without a teleprompter, which was unusual because of his virtually photographic recall. Producer Roger Lenhart told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that “he was just an old-school guy.” “How does he remember all of this without a “prompter?” I wondered.”
Stan was Stan at the time. Savran continued performing intermission and postgame presentations for the Penguins well into his 70s while remaining a regular at Steelers home games. Even though his health started to decline early this year, he continued to present his daily radio show. Despite this, he continued to appear as a guest on other fronts, many of which were hosted by people he had previously in their careers mentored.
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“Not just a Pittsburgh media icon but a Pittsburgh icon, period,” tweeted Mark Madden, a sports radio presenter in Pittsburgh who had Savran appear on his show frequently as recently as last spring. “A true peer, a terrific friend, and a decent man all around. To have known him and collaborated with him is an honour. The phrase “Love the show” will live on. Stan did it correctly.
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