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Contents -Senator Sam Nunn -Gov. Miller Visits -Flannery Recognized -Ciraldo Remembered -Artist-in-Residence -General Faculty Status
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In remembranceGeorgia Tech’s legendary and longtime radio voice, Al Ciraldo, died Nov. 7 at the age of 75 from complications resulting from congestive heart failure. For 43 seasons, Ciraldo made expressions like, “Toe meets leather,” “Brothers and sisters ...” and “Gttttt!” as much a part of Georgia Tech as Bobby Dodd, the Ramblin’ Wreck and Buzz. “Georgia Tech has lost a legend,” said Director of Athletics Dave Braine. “Al Ciraldo was a legend in Georgia Tech athletics as much as Bobby Dodd. Our condolences go out to his family.” Ciraldo retired from Tech’s broadcast team last spring, completing an on-air career that began in 1935 as play-by-play voice for the minor-league baseball Akron Yankees and spanned 62 years, the last 43 of them with Georgia Tech. Ciraldo stepped down from play-by-play announcing prior to the 1992-93 season but has served as host for Tech’s pregame, halftime and postgame shows. A 1948 graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in radio broadcasting, Ciraldo came to Atlanta in 1949 as the play-by-play announcer for the University of Georgia’s basketball broadcasts at WGBE-Radio. He joined the staff at WGST-Radio and broadcast his first Tech football game in 1954 against Tulane. His first Tech basketball game was against Sewanee that same year. Over the next 38 seasons, he called 416 football and 1,030 basketball games for the Ramblin’ Wreck. In 1984, Ciraldo moved with Tech from WGST to WCNN and has remained with Ring Radio to date. “Everyone knows how much Al Ciraldo meant to Georgia Tech,” said head basketball coach Bobby Cremins. “But he meant so much to Bobby Cremins as well. When I first came here, he was instrumental in helping me get a feel for Tech, bringing the old players back, and rejuvenating Georgia Tech basketball. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a legend and a part of Georgia Tech that can never be replaced.” Dr. Homer Rice, who recently retired after 17 years as Tech’s director of Athletics, said of Ciraldo, “He will be sorely missed. His deep-seated love for Georgia Tech is matched only by the affection of Georgia Tech and its fans, friends and alumni towards him.” Kim King was Ciraldo’s longest radio partner as the two teamed on Tech football for last 17 years. Thad Horton was his first partner in 1954, and during the 1960s, Pat Williams, future general manager of the Orlando Magic, worked with Ciraldo for two seasons. “It’s a sad day in Georgia Tech history,” said head football coach George O’Leary. “From the first day I arrived at Georgia Tech, Al Ciraldo always gave a friendly handshake, always a smile, and always had Georgia Tech in his heart. He’ll be greatly missed, and I wish his family well.” The Al Ciraldo Fund has been established to benefit athletic and non-athletic scholarships at Georgia Tech, as well as the Carlyle Fraser Heart Center at Crawford Long Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to this fund in care of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.
Ciraldo is survived by his wife, Ruth, three sons, Al Jr., Bob and Lou; three daughters,
Barbara, Ruth Grantham and Roseanne Thompson; and six grandchildren.
Approved by the Office of External Affairs on 09/24/97
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