David L. Diles

DILES David L. Diles, 78, Middleport native, who rose in the field of journalism from a reporter on a local newspaper to a sportscaster on national television, died Saturday, December 26, 2009 at his home in Athens after a long battle with cancer. For 21 years Dave was with ABC-TV and is best remembered as the longtime host of College Football Scoreboard. He also hosted or appeared on Wide World of Sports, the Indianapolis 500. Olympic Games, NASCAR auto racing, along with professional golf, track and field, and college football play by play. Shortly after leaving Ohio University Dave started a 12-year writing career. His work with the Associated Press as regional sports editor of Detroit led him into his career in television, first with WXYZ-TV Detroit and then on to ABC-TV. Highlights of his career included hosting the nationally syndicated "The Race for No. 1" and "The Big 10 Today". He was the play-by-play voice for the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Lions and Pistons, and Ohio State Basketball, and hosted the radio series Sports Classics on 600 stations nationally. During his long-time career in writing and broadcast journalism, Dave also wrote eight books about network television sports, the experiences of coaches and players. He became a versatile speaker and gave hundreds of speeches across the country during his career. Several years ago Dave was recognized for his accomplishments by his hometown which named a park in his honor. Dave Diles Park is located in downtown Middleport along the banks of the Ohio River. Dave received the distinguished alumni award from Ohio University where he later established a scholarship for Bend area students. Over the years he served as a trustee for Rio Grande College. He was inducted into the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and received The Silver Circle Award from The National Academy of Television Arts and Science. Three times he was named the Associated Press Sportscaster of the Year. In 1983 he was inducted into the Michigan Media Hall of Fame. He was named president of both the Football Writers of America, Michigan Chapter, and the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, received four Associated Press Documentary Awards, the National Sports Service Award from Sport Magazine, and awards from the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Dave, born on October 14, 1931, was the son the late Lisle and Lucille Diles of Middleport. He is survived by his wife, Kay; a daughter, Beverly Susan Diles Fenton (Dave), of Cincinnati; and a son, Dr. David Lisle Diles, (Suzanne), of Ann Arbor, MI; four grandchildren, Melissa and Conner Fenton, and Matthew and Mitchell Diles; and a brother, William Diles. Also surviving are step-children, Peri and Graham Phillips, of Atlanta, GA, Charles and Beth Koch, of Union, KY; step-grandchildren, Grayson and Ian Phillips, and Michael and McKenzie Koch; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters Lois Diles Bush, Phyllis Diles Jividen, and Marjorie Diles Mitchell, all of Athens. A memorial service will be held at 11. a.m. Saturday at The Plains United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of choice, The Dave Diles Scholarship Fund, Box 289, Pomeroy, OH 45769, or Appalachian Community VNA Hospice and Health Services, Inc., 30 Herrold Ave., Athens, OH 45701. An on-line registry for condolences is available at www.andersonmcdaniel.com