Joe Tait

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Joe Tait

Born	May 15, 1937 (1937-05-15) (age 71) Evanston, Illinois, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Sportscaster, Play-by-Play Announcer, Area Announcer

Joe Tait (born May 15, 1937 in Evanston, IL) is the radio play by play announcer for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. With the exception of two seasons in the early 1980's, he has been the radio announcer since the team's inception in 1970. In October 2006, he signed a two-year contract extension, which ensures that he will be the team's voice until at least the 2008-09 season.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Background Sketch

Tait began his radio career while a student at Monmouth College, doing play-by-play on the college radio station and sports reports on WRAM. He taught sportscasting at Ohio University from 1966 to 1968, served as the network voice of Indiana University football, and was the pre-game host for the Indiana Pacers in 1969.

The following year, Tait began his longtime association with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were in their first year of existence. Tait was fired from his post with the Cavaliers by controversial owner Ted Stepien prior to the 1980-1981 season. For the next two basketball seasons, Tait was a TV announcer for first the New Jersey Nets, and then the Chicago Bulls. Tait returned to the Cavaliers for the 1982-1983 season, and has remained ever since. In 1987, he was named vice president of broadcast services, a job that he continues today.

During the basketball off-season, Tait was also a radio play by play voice for the Cleveland Indians from 1973-1979, then switching to television from 1980-1987.^[1] During the past few years, Tait has done TV play by play for the Mount Union Purple Raiders, a Division III college football team.

Joe Tait also calls high school basketball games for WEOL-AM 930.

On March 26th, 2008 Joe announced his 3000th Game for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he sat at half court.

The mid level seat area from which he normally calls the games has been forever renamed "Joe Tait's Perch".

Tait resides in Lafayette Township, Medina County, Ohio.^{[citation needed]}