Cavaliers legendary radio broadcaster Joe Tait thanked a number of people, chiefly his wife Jean, in accepting the Curt Gowdy Media Award at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday night in Springfield, Mass.
View full sizeCavaliers radio broadcaster Joe Tait, front left, received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday.SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — For almost 40 years, legendary radio broadcaster Joe Tait has told it like it is to Cavaliers fans.
He has never used 10 words when two will do, and it was no different when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday night. He shared the award with former Boston Globe reporter, now author and ESPN personality Jackie MacMullan, the first female recipient of the award.
In an acceptance speech that lasted only a couple of minutes, Tait dedicated the award to a number of people associated with the Cavs he said were instrumental in his winning it: former coach Bill Fitch, former owner Nick Mileti, former principal owner and current minority owner Gordon Gund, former General Manager Harry Weltman, owner Dan Gilbert, former player and GM Danny Ferry, former GM Wayne Embry and former player and coach Lenny Wilkens.
"But the person who is most responsible for me being here tonight is the lady who has stood behind me, in front of me and beside me for almost 30 years -- my wife Jean," Tait said in his customary strong voice that never wavered. "Thank you very much. Thank you, Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tait and his wife, along with several close friends, were among the first seated on the center court in the heart of the Hall of Fame. The basketball court rests under a domed roof that features black-and-white 8x10 photos of all the Hall's inductees.
Before the ceremony, Tait said he was not nervous. He seemed to enjoy reminiscing with many players and coaches that he covered over the years, including Embry, Wilkens and former NBA star David Thompson, who was seated at Tait's table.
Embry was thrilled to celebrate Tait's induction.
"He's very worthy, and it has been a long time coming," Embry said. "Joe is one of the masters of his trade. Northeast Ohio should be proud."
Also honored Thursday night were legendary college coach Don Meyer of Northern State, who received the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hall's highest honor other than enshrinement. In addition, Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert of Haiti, Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University and Alfreda Harris, a community leader from Massachusetts, shared the Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award.
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To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668