| VOICES: MEMORIES OF JACK Mountaineer fans around the world remember Jack
WVUsports.com Brad
Cooper I'm only 18 years old, but I literally grew up with WVU sports and Jack was always synonymous with WVU. I will always remember Jack's call of the 1988 Penn State game -- from his call of Major's TD run to Renaldo Turnbull's big sack of Tony Sacca -- Jack's voice outlined it all. In fact I still have a tape of the audio from the game. Everyone who wears the gold and blue will miss Jack. Vincent
R.
Pilate Jack was so tremendous. I'd have to say it's the way he made me look forward to all basketball and football broadcasts. The "intro" he did about 15 minutes before the start of every game (like OnAir.wav) pumped me up so much I was truly at a fever pitch by the tip off or kickoff. To me it got to be just as important to hear that as the game broadcast. Also, no one could "smooth" over a loss like he could, which was very important over the years as Mountaineer fans everywhere would probably agree. Bob
Coen My father, now deceased, got me interested in Mountaineer Sports at an early age. He was a big fan of the Mountaineers and a bigger fan of Jack Fleming. Growing up when the Mountaineers where not on TV often and we had to depend on the radio broadcasts. When my father would take me hunting on a Saturday afternoon in the fall he would always take along his radio and listen to the game in the woods. It was not until later in life that I realized that my father didn't really care about hunting, he cared about spending time with his son and during this time listening to the broadcast by Jack. I would even go so far as to say that if he had a chance to shoot some game or listen to the game and Jack, he would pick the latter. I thank my father for getting me interested in Mountaineer sports and to Jack Fleming for keeping me interested. To this day I still turn on the radio and turn down the volume on the TV. Andrew
Scritchfield As a born-and-raised Mountaineer now living in Arlington, Va., my all-time favorite Jack Fleming moment came in the WVU Coliseum. During a basketball game, there was a time-out to honor Jack as the "Voice of the Mountaineers." As he stood on the court, a student in the stands stood up with a sign that simply read, "Beat Pitt." Without hesitation, Jack raced into the stands, grabbed the sign, and ran around the court waiving it as the crowd went crazy. To me, that epitomized what Jack Fleming was all about. Greg
Goodwin I will never forget watching the Mountaineers on TV with my grandfather and the TV volume was always off so we could listen to Jack Fleming's magical voice on the radio. To me, Jack's call of Major's broken play in '88 against Penn State will always stick out as a favorite. Jack Fleming will forever be WVU football and basketball to me. Mike
Chapman I left Morgantown when I graduated from WVU in '69 but I grew up in Suncrest. The Flemings were my neighbors just across the open field from University & Mulberry to Jacobs where they lived then. I also lived in Chicago in '72-75 so I remember Jack's voice on radio there as being a pleasant reminder to home ties. To me, I still can't help but remember Jack's dulcet tones across the air waves as being the original voice of Mountaineer sports. We offer our condolences and prayers to his family. Mike Chapman, President, WVU Blue Ridge Mountaineer Club, Roanoke, VA Pat
Daley The thing I loved most of Jack Fleming was the way he called a football game. If someone who never had heard of Jack Fleming listened to him for five minutes, they would know whom Jack was rooting for. Growing up, the one thing I can remember most is Jack's "Touchdown, West Virginia!" Thank you Jack for the heart and soul you put into your play-by-play of the Mountaineers. Clint
Springer My favorite Jack Fleming memory was the start of every broadcast. I cannot pick just one. The beginning of every broadcast was some of the best non-published poetry ever written. It did not matter what team the Mountaineers were facing, Jack's opening made it exciting. I have missed him every game since his retirement and will continue to now. I am very sad that our friend has passed. West Virginia has lost one in a million. I know the sky will shine even brighter blue and gold with Jack in heaven. My sincere sympathy to his family. Mike
Furfari Growing up in Morgantown in the 50s and 60s, I remember Jack's 15-minute radio sports show each weekday evening, from 6:15 until 6:30 on WAJR. The show was 5 minutes of sports news and 10 minutes of commentary, in an age when commentary was not common. Before ESPN and other all-sports networks, radio was the best source for in-depth sports, and Jack's show was Morgantown's primary source of sports news. Before the Pitt-WVU football game each year, Jack would open up Monday's show with "this is the beginning of Hate Pitt week." He would explain how he was raised to hate Pitt, and by the end of the week, Morgantown was in a whipped-up state and the Mountaineers ready to do battle with the Panthers. Jack Fleming MADE the WVU-Pitt rivalry and cherished it as if it were one of his children. Mike
Cox While Jack Fleming was a great football announcer, he was an even greater basketball announcer. Jack was one of the first if the very first basketball announcer to call a game from courtside. His colleagues questioned why he would do such a thing, as they felt you couldn't see the game nearly as well from courtside as from press row. Jack had different ideas. He felt he would feel more part of the game by sitting closer to it. More importantly, he knew his listeners would feel more part of the game. We could hear those sneakers squeaking, the players and coaches yelling, and of course Jack raising his voice just loud enough for the official to hear him, at just the right time. Listeners were screaming at the radio, and as if he heard us Jack would yell, "Oh the ref sure missed that one", or "hey Woody, who is this ref?" "Haven't we seen him before?" The worst thing that happened to college basketball was television. No way could TV give us as clear a picture of the action as Jack Fleming described it. God blessed us all by giving us the best radio play-by-play voice that has ever lived. Don
Bassett The man was quite simply THE BEST! I have very fond memories of Jack as the voice of the Steelers - sorry Mountaineer fans, I'm a Pitt guy - and have missed him tremendously since his departure up here. Amazingly, I was wondering about him on New Years Day - where he was and what he was doing. Morgantown and Pittsburgh have lost one hell of a guy in Jack Fleming. Rest in peace Jack. Jonas
Knotts His opening scene setter for the '86 Penn State game is one of the most moving and inspiring pieces of broadcasting that I have ever heard. The imagery draws you into the game and makes it sound that this will be a game of biblical proportions. He scares you with his description of the "white-clad ghosts" from Penn State then he rallies you by reminding you that this is a game where "anything can happen in football, on any given night, on any given field it can happen." We have lost one of the classiest, most respected people in the field of broadcasting. Godspeed Jack Fleming - you will be missed. Aaron
Colebank Any WVU football Saturday. He was the best! Anytime the Mountaineers played on TV the volume went down and the radio came on. He could bring the game to you in a way that no one else ever will. Thanks Jack, we will never forget you. Bob
Shirey I grew up listening to Jack, and I remember well lying in my bedroom at night with the radio on, while he painted visions of the activities in the old Field House or the original Mountaineer Field. That was long before I was old enough to visit those places in person. I remember getting irate as Mountaineer basketball players tried to move with opponents climbing on their backs. The officials were always oblivious to the whole situation. My most vivid memory of Jack came from those times. It was from the end of a basketball game, in the old Southern Conference days. I am recalling this from memory, and this dates back to the 60s, so please excuse me if my memory has changed some of the names and details. WVU and Davidson were heated rivals and I intently listened to every one of their games. Lefty Driesell was still coaching there, and he was hated by all loyal WVU fans. Davidson had an All-American, who I think was named Fred Hetzel. Davidson came to the end of the game with a one-point lead. WVU took the ball out at the far end of the court and launched a last ditch shot, from about three quarter court. Hetzel leaped and took the ball out of the air and was called for goaltending, giving WVU a miraculous victory. The emotion that Jack transmitted across the radio, with that play, had me jumping around my room celebrating. I have heard him call many other games and many other heart-lifting and heartbreaking endings, but for some reason that one always comes to mind when I think of Jack Fleming. I miss his voice and emotion. Tony does a wonderful job and I do not think that there could have been any better successor to Jack, but for those of us who grew up with him, there will never be another "VOICE OF THE MOUNTAINEERS". Rick
Shiflett My entire life has been filled with great Jack Fleming memories. There are a lot of on-air memories that I cherish, but I guess my favorite memory is the time I was able to put a face with "the voice". I was at a WVU basketball game about 20 years ago. I was very young, and I just thought it was great to actually see the man that had brought WVU sports into our living room for all those years before. I still get teary eyed when I hear my favorite words: "the hills of West Virginia resound with the sounds of Gold and Blue football, and the Mountaineers are on the air!". God Bless Jack Fleming and his family. We all loved him. James
A.
Favero I was a sophomore at WVU. We were going to a bowl game -- a rare event in 1975. Two friends and I went to Old Mountaineer Field to watch practice. They were handing out hats for the Peach Bowl. We all got one and then someone said, "there is Jack Fleming." We went up to him and asked him to sign our hats. He did with a kind word and a "Let's Go Mountaineers" He did not know us but we knew him through the radio. He was a wonderful man and kept me posted on the Mountaineers while I was in Ohio in Law School. Although the radio in Ohio was fuzzy, I could always pick up "The Voice". May God rest his soul. Tim
Dayton There are several but the most vivid has to be seeing Jack Fleming in front of the Book Exchange book store across from White Hall on the Friday before each home game. Typically he would be holding a microphone, and talking to any passerby, whether in a car or on the street, and ask them their prediction on the score of the Saturday game. And many times he would give them a gift certificate to "my brother's store" the Book Exchange. He was a great announcer and a living symbol of West Virginia University while alive. I missed dearly hearing him over the radio when I came into Morgantown for the games. I hope the University could name something after him as memorial to an extraordinary legend of West Virginia University's sports history. May all who pass through the doors of our great university recognized the name Jack Fleming. Joe
Thompson About 10 years ago I was heading home from class downtown. It was the week of the Pitt game ,and I was nearing the bookstore when I heard a crowd erupt into jubilation. I crossed the street to see what was going on, and I saw Jack Fleming at a microphone. It may have been a radio remote but I am not sure, but he was yelling at the top of his voice "Beat the hell out of Pitt, Beat the hell out of Pitt". The crowd and I were thrilled. Dan
Sargent I remember when I was first introduced to him -- not through radio -- but through television. Possibly he was most noticeable in a sports game show called "Lets go to the races" which was sponsored by Foodland and TV station WTAE in Pittsburgh from which it was broadcast. It was basically when you go to a Foodland store, you get this ticket with five different numbers. You then watch the show and if the winning horse matches the number on your ticket, you win a cash prize. It also had a lottery feel to it because if all numbers match in order of appearance, you get $10,000 grand prize. What I found peculiar about Jack is (I was only five during that time) that he said "No Purchase Necessary" about five to seven times. After that I started noticing that he was calling WVU football and basketball games on the radio, as well as he hosted a local Pittsburgh bowling competition on Pittsburgh TV station WPTT, now known as WB affiliate WCWB. He will always be an icon in broadcasting. John
M. Sinsel Growing up as a WVU and Steelers fan, every weekend in the fall was a chance to listen to the greatest voice in college or pro sports, Jack Fleming. He was so easy to understand and you knew that his heart was with that team out on the field. I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Fleming in 1989 as a student at WVU at a pep rally before the Pitt game that year. After meeting him, I was so impressed by his demeanor and the way he carried himself that I thought, "I wish everyone could be like that." I know all of West Virginia will miss you Jack. I know I do. Alan
Tucker Every time he opened the broadcast by saying, "the hills are alive with the sights and sounds of West Virginia football." Rest in peace Jack! John
L.
Henson I remember when I was in junior high school and my parents would attend all WVU home games. I grew up with the Mountaineers and the sounds of Jack Fleming and Woody O’Hara. Most of my friends would imitate Fleming and O’Hara and the very sound of their voices would put chill bumps all over me. We grew up to view Fleming as an icon of WVU sports. When I was down or feeling low, the sound of his upbeat voice would make me happy. I remember in high school we attended a WVU-Marshall Basketball game and saw Fleming for the first time in person. We went up to him and asked for an autograph. He kindly obliged and asked where we were from. He was so nice to us and mentioned the "kind, friendly, young Mountaineer fans" that made him feel welcome. I remembered that to this day. He was a mountain of a man and a tower of spirit. He was truly West Virginia University’s Ambassador of Spirit! I will miss him a lot for I know what the very mention of his name means to me and my family. God Bless Jack and God thank you for sharing him with the West Virginia University family. Jim
Morris I met Mr. Fleming in 1973. I was with my father attending a WVU game. He introduced me to him and immediately Mr. Fleming reminisced on an encounter when my father Guy Morris (a long-time attorney in Clarksburg had helped him on a road outside of Huttonsville returning from the Southern Conference basketball tournament in Richmond, Va. Mr. Fleming's car had slid off the side in the heavy snow. He had all his radio broadcasting equipment in the car and was visibly upset about being stuck. My father and his friend Al Heck came along and offered him a ride. The three proceeded only a little ways up the road when my father’s Chrysler New Yorker also got stuck. They were close to a little crossroads restaurant where they called a tow truck, grabbed a bite and talked about the tournament. They got to know each other that day and I know that Mr Fleming's passing was one of great sadness for my dad. My dad was very close to people like Scotty Hamilton and the rest of the '42 basketball team as well as Gene Corum and many others who played important roles at WVU. When another one passes it always takes a little out of him. Jack Fleming was one of a kind . There will never be another "Voice" that will "be going left to right on my radio dial". Thanks Mr. Fleming for all those wonderful memories in Morgantown and Pittsburgh. We will truly miss you. Joe "Jackisms" have been part of our vocabulary as long as I can remember -- "Robert Alexander almost put a move on the defender" and "Lester Rowe from Buffalo put on a show in Pittsburgh!" (he couldn't quite figure out that last rhyme) and "Major's sacked ... Touchdown!" We also loved the story Jack told about when the Pitt students threw garbage on his lawn, so he went over and threw it on Roy Chipman's lawn. Many of us northern West Virginia Mountaineers grew up Steeler fans, so Jack was always our guy. He would always mention any former West Virginia players on the other team. We loved the way he would ignore Myron when he got out of control. He'll be greatly missed. Keith
J.
Grubb I grew up in Harts Run, WV listening to Jack and Woody on WRON 1400. Every moment of every game was special with Jack. I remember going to the Tulane game as a teenager at Old Mountaineer Field in 1978 with my little "hand held" radio so I could listen to Jack. I kept looking back at the press box to catch a chance sighting of Jack. As Robert Alexander turned the corner from 33 yards old to put away the Eddie Murray-led Green Wave, I was fixed on my radio "watching the play" through Jack as much as the play itself. However, the 1984 EPIC with BC was my highlight. I listened to the game with my dad. He and I realized we were "witnessing" something special. In WVU's 21-20 win, Jack said: "Holy smokes! We were cheated out of a down - Woodrow. My prayers to the Fleming family -- I hope to do a WVU game together with Jack in Heaven. Of course, every game he did was a little piece of Heaven. Mark
Coffield It has been 25 years since I have lived in the town (Moundsville) I grew up in. One of the fondest memories of my childhood though was hiding a transistor radio under my bed sheets listening to Jack Fleming and WVU basketball games when my parents thought I was asleep. I would have to say it was the passion in his voice for Mountaineer football and basketball that stirred my curiosity and future love for WVU. I remember listening to the radio and him describing Danny Bugg's miraculous punt return for the winning TD against Maryland in the final seconds of the game. There were the victories and the losses. I wanted no one else to tell me about the WVU victories and no one else to consul me when WVU lost. I knew from fourth grade on that I would attend WVU and experience first hand the passion Jack Fleming was talking about. It is hard to believe he is gone. He will always be remembered. Note: Jack Tennant actually made the Buggs call in the Maryland game -- Jack was still working in Chicago for WIND broadcasting the Bulls. Jack was a part of so many great calls that is an easy error to make. Jason
Everett I am 21 years old, and attend WVU now. I grew up a WVU fan and knew I would come here when I was five years old. I remember getting so excited for WVU football on Thursday because I knew the game would take place in just 48 hours. When I was younger, there weren't many games on television, so I listened to MSN and Jack Fleming every week. I used to set up my little portable radio outside my garage and shoot basketball for hours into the evening when the games were on. During basketball season, I would slip my headsets on and listen to him call the old Atlantic 10 games against Temple etc. Jack Fleming had such a powerful voice, and mountaineer pride seemed to seep through every call. I used to sit on my bed and toss a ball against the wall and pretend I was him as I called my own versions of the Mountaineer games. Jack Fleming will be forever missed -- especially by those like me who he instilled a permanent gold and blue pride in. J.
Cooper I listened to Jack when I was a young kid. So many thrilling broadcasts we listened to of Jack's play-by-play of football and basketball! He loved to agitate the Pitt and Penn State fans. But, who remembers the time, I believe it were Pitt fans, that physically attacked Jack while still on the air? Diz
Titcher The 1959 basketball team comeback in the Palestra in Philadelphia. Jerry West, Lloyd Sharer, Willie Akers, Don Vincent, Joedy Gardner etc. I think West Virginia cut a seven-point deficit in 90 seconds. Dallas
Alkire There are just too many memories for me to list. Dave
Thomas All of Jack's pre-game intro's were thrilling: "From Bluefield to Buchannon, from Weirton to the hills resound with the sound of Gold and Blue football. The Mountaineers are on the air!" My favorite call was last 12 seconds of the 75 Pitt game. "Here we go, we've got one more shot..." which climaxed with Bill McKenzie's field goal to give us a 17-14 win. Jim
Ray I am a lifelong Mountaineer fan and grew up listening to Jack Fleming set the scene and describe the action as only he could do. His superb announcing brought so many happy memories to mind that it is impossible to single out just one. Jack Fleming was Mountaineer Sports. There will never be anyone that can even come close to replacing him. He could describe a game so colorfully that you felt as though you were sitting in the stands watching the contest. He was the BEST! I still enjoyed reading his MSN Insider articles. He will always be the only person worthy of the title "Voice of the Mountaineers". Thanks Jack for the wonderful memories and may you rest in peace. Oliver
Luck In 1994 the Steelers were playing in an American Bowl (NFL preseason game) in Barcelona, Spain. At the time I was President of the NFL Europe League and my staff was responsible for organizing the game. The evening before the game I was leaving the Steelers team hotel at about 6:00 p.m. in order to go downtown for a meeting. As I was trying to get a cab I saw Jack and Myron Cope walking down the street. Naturally, I walked over to them to say hello and see if there was anything they needed. Well, it turned out they were looking for a place to have dinner. Unfortunately, of course, the Spanish don't sit down for their evening meal until 9:00 p.m. (at the earliest), and some restaurants will not even open until 10:00 p.m. After I explained this both men had a somewhat crestfallen look and Jack said something to the effect of "No wonder the Spanish are such small people, they hardly get a chance to eat!" Despite their travails Jack went on to do his usual first-class job of calling the game. Jack, you will be missed by generations of Mountaineer and Steeler fans. Jeremy
Greene Although I am only 21 years old, I can remember oh so many times when Mr. Fleming shouted over the radio waves "Touchdown West Virginia!" His excitement of saying such words were so great, he could hardly keep his mouth going fast enough as to tell the listeners what had happened. Those three words still echo in my brain to this day. I can remember, even when the game was broadcast on television, my father and I would turn down the volume and crank the radio, so that we could hear the game being called by such a wonderful voice. Above all my memories of Mountaineer Football the ones I remember most fondly is the Fleming called games with Major Harris. Very rarely was I able to see him play, but through Mr. Fleming's voice over the air waves, my 9-year-old mind could picture the grace and beauty of the Harris running left, avoiding tacklers and speeding into the end zone for a "TOUCHDOWN WEST VIRGINIA!"
Stephen
Craig For the 18 years of my life I have been an avid Mountaineer fan. The 1988 season is when I really became a die hard fan. I remember the exact moment I become hooked for life. The EERS were playing Boston College during that 88 season, and my uncle was listening to the game. I was in the other room when I heard a scream from the uncle. Over the radio I heard that famous voice say those three words I would here for years to come; "Touchdown West Virginia." It was like the Mountaineer spirit overtook my body, and I have WVU fanatic ever since. Thank you Jack, you were the best. Janet
Shaffron I had the thrill of interviewing Jack Fleming for the DA student newspaper when I was in 'J' school at WVU in the late 1960s. Knowing that he was "The Voice of the Mountaineers" and having listened to him on radio growing up in southern West Virginia, I was a little intimidated going into the interview. We spent a couple of hours together and he couldn't have been nicer. Mountaineer fans everywhere have lost a rare gem. Roger
Bibbee Jack's opening "On the Air" for the 1986 Penn State game. The Nittany Lions were number 2 in the nation and undefeated. Jack's opening comments were that the Mountaineers would go where angels fear to tread. Jack referenced Halloween by saying "Light Up Your Pumpkins and Put on your scary masks as the hills of WV resound with Gold and Blue. Jack Fleming had a way of making your blood gold and blue during while doing "On The Air". Bruce
Bosley I will surely miss the resounding sound of the Voice throughout our hills and valleys. When I am in the Mountains for a drive, I can't help but think of hearing Jack's voice booming out a "Touchdown West Virginia". I was just thinking of how fitting it was for Jack to be present at the last home game for the Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium where he was able to enjoy many reunions with former Steeler players. How fitting it was for Jack to enjoy a satisfying bowl win for the Mountaineers and to see Coach Nehlen go into retirement a winner. I know these experiences for Jack made him feel like he was on the mountain! I can't help but ponder what Jack said as he entered Heaven...."Holy Smokes!" Jack just may have heard another voice saying "Touchdown, Jack Fleming!" You have finished your race Jack, we look forward to seeing you on the other side! Mike
Hill As I was getting ready for work last Thursday morning, I remembered that I didn't get to send an e-mail that I wanted to a few weeks before that (I had read a story in the MSN Insider about the last home game at Three Rivers Stadium and who would be at that final game). As I read it, my first thought was that if anyone should be at that game, it should be Jack Fleming. Who better to represent Three Rivers and the Steelers than Jack. Of course, he didn't mention himself in the article. At the end of it, there was a place where you could "e-mail Jack." I thought I am going to write back to him, and started to figure out exactly what to say. I got busy and never got to finish the e-mail). I will never forget hearing, not more than 20 minutes later, that the night before we lost THE best play-by-play man many of us will ever hear. It is hard for me to list one favorite memory of a person that has such a special place in the hearts of Mountaineer and Steeler fans everywhere. But, if I had to, it would simply be his voice. It has, and always will, give me cold chills to hear him talk about his Mountaineers or Steelers. I will never forget turning on the radio with my Dad and two younger brothers and listening to Jack get us fired up for a big game. How could anyone ever forget, "from (town) to (town), the hills of West Virginia resound with the sounds of Gold and Blue football, and the West Virginia Mountaineers are on the air." If that doesn't bring tears to your eyes, something is wrong with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. God bless, Jack. You were the best. We will miss you. Bob
Haas I happened to be in Morgantown the other day and was listening to the post game show. I could tell from Tony's voice that something awful had happened. The news brought up all my memories as a little boy in Renick, W.Va., listening to Jack call the games. He made the action seem so dramatic. Every shot seemed like a buzzer beater, and the refs were missing every foul against WVU. He made the hills come to life in WV. Thanks Jack for all the memories. You made the radio come to life for me. Beat Pitt! Rob
Wantlin I've got one particular radio memory that really stands out and that is Jack's call of a Willie Drewery kickoff return for a touchdown in which Jack abandoned his description of the play to shout out, "Run, Willie, Run!" Last year I actually found that call in the audio archives on the Internet and had a ball hearing it again. Last Wednesday I ran into Woody at the team hotel in Nashville and he was nice enough to take a few moments to talk to me. My first question was about Jack and I was very happy to hear that he was doing well. For those of us raised on WVU sports, Jack was and always will be the "Voice of the Mountaineers." It's funny, but the newspapers are talking so much about how shy he was. I would never have guessed because I had the opportunity to meet him and talk with him on a couple of different occasions when I was in school at WVU and he took the time to talk to me like I was a friend. He will be missed. Tim
Edelman Jack Fleming was truly THE VOICE of the Mountaineers. He made the dull games interesting and the exciting games monumental events. I'm just sad that many of today's generation won't get the thrill of hearing Jack regale the importance of beating Pitt at anything including tiddlewinks! I know a lot of old timers would sure like to have the opportunity to download the beautiful audio tribute we heard the day after he died so we'll never forget him! Joe As a youngster, growing up in southern WV, I remember listening to Jack each Saturday. His distinctive voice and prolific presentation of the events on the field made it seem that you were actually in the stadium. Later, when I attended WVU, I got to meet him and Coach Bowden. Believe it or not, I was more impressed with Jack, maybe because he had the "voice" which had made such a strong impression. I've long since moved from the state and haven't had any opportunities to hear that voice. Every time I listen to a SEC broadcaster I do a comparison from my memory of Jack's dynamic style and no one else has ever been close to our departed friend. He will be missed. Bob
Toth The Voice of the Mountaineers is dead. God Bless you. I spent so many years "Hunting with a radio" listening to him. I was always way back up the ridge just waiting for Mountaineer football and the only man that could bring the game to radio. I was not a personal friend. I am just a radio fan -- one of millions. After Vietnam I did not like crowds and would rather listen to the game than be there. Jack brought the games alive on radio. Jack, thank you so very much. I sit here in this flat swamp of Florida wishing for the Mountains of WV and the voice of Jack Fleming. Rest in Peace. Matt
Losh Although I'm only 19 years old I can remember growing up with Mountaineer football and listening to "the voice" on MSN. I remember how saddened I was when my father told me a few years back that Jack was longer going to be on the air. As a current member of "The Pride of West Virginia" I love to hear his famous football intros where his enthusiasm would peak in perfect sync with the exploding sounds of the marching band playing Simple Gifts. He always loved the band along with everything else associated with WVU. The "Pride" and the state of WV will miss him. Bill
Warnick "As the hills resound with the sounds of Gold and Blue Football." What made Jack special was, he never forgot where he came from. He showed this every day of his life by his loyalty to his home state and his alma mater. Some people called him a "homer", but he wasn't. He was a fan and called the games like one fan describing it to another. He reveled in his Mountain State roots. Too often the current crop of media in this State forget what it means to be a West Virginian, what it means to be a Mountaineer. They have no sense of heritage or loyalty. It is almost as if they are ashamed of where they are from and who they are. Jack never forgot, and that is why we revered and loved him so. Jerry
White As a young kid who never missed a WVU game on the radio, I'll always remember Jack's closing remarks at the end of each broadcast saying "GOOD NIGHT" to his wife and kids (each by name)-- and then came that never forgetting phrase---"AND TO MOUNTAINEER FANS EVERYWHERE." Tim
Buckwalter As a poor student of the early Seventies (that's financial, not academic) I counted on Jack to take me with him to football and basketball games all over the country. He was always happy to take me with him and proud to be a Mountaineer. I already miss him. J.
Reed First, I would like to send my condolences to the family of Jack Fleming and Mountaineer fans alike. I was recently at a WVU football game, tailgating with friends, enjoying the pre-game show on WVAQ. They played a clip of Jack Fleming's game call for the 1988 WVU vs. Penn State football game. One word for the man = RESPECT! He had a voice like no other! Fleming was flawless in delivery and immaculate with his voice. The audio clip sent chills down my spine! I, myself, am in the radio industry and I know from experience how hectic things can get in the radio world and just how good an announcer has to be. Jack Fleming is a broadcasting legend. The same game that I was tailgating, I didn't know it before the game, but I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fleming. More important than the stern handshake and the cordial smile, was the number of people who crowded Jack Fleming just to say "hello." It was unbelievable!! The man had a twinkle about him that you just can't put into words! The day that I had the opportunity to meet Jack Fleming was a day that I will never forget. It was one of the best things that I have ever done in my life. Mr. Fleming, I would just like to say thanks for the WVU memories. Your spirit will always live in the Gold and Blue. When you hear WVU, the Gold and Blue, the Mountaineers, you can't help but think of one thing -- Jack Fleming! Dale
Davenport I grew up listening to WVU basketball games on the radio as a youngster in Morgantown. We did not have a TV, but the "vision" that Jack provided via the radio was incredible. He could quite literally make you feel like you were at the game. His voice conveyed all of the emotions and enthusiasm that was present at the game site. Some of my fondest memories as a youth were listening to games on the radio with my mother in the evenings. She rarely displayed her emotions, but she became very excited listening to Jack describe the game action. Through Jack and the radio, we were able to visit faraway places such as the Palestra in Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden; places I could only dream of visiting in my youth. Now that I have been to some of these places, they were never quite as good as they were through Jack's voice. I often felt that the players could respond to his voice. One of the most exciting moments was listening to the game when Bucky Waters was the coach and he led the Mountaineers to victory over Vic Bubbas' number one rated Duke team. I can still hear Jack yelling, "We won! We won! We won! God Bless You Jack. Kevin
Gordon Jack Fleming simply got me hooked on Mountaineer Football. The way he would call games would simply send chills down your spine. I'll never forget the opening to the 86 Penn State game. I first heard Jack with my father as we were outside raking leaves in the fall. We would listen to the game on the radio while we worked. I hated raking leaves, but good 'ole Jack made it enjoyable. Thanks for everything Jack, you're the greatest! Jack
Epperly My father was a life long WVU fan and got me hooked on Mountaineer basketball when I was only 5 years old. That was during the Golden Era of WVU basketball with Rod Hundley, Jerry West and Rod Thorn. I kept score of their games and still have a note book with the box scores and newspaper articles about the team. I remember listening to the NCAA Championship game when WVU played California and how disappointed Jack was when we lost. Listening to the games, it seemed like every call went against the Mountaineers, because Jack never tried to hide his partiality. I miss hearing his voice, but will always have my fond memories. |
