Dan Cook
Encyclopedia
Daniel John Cook, Jr. was a sports writer for the San Antonio Express-News
, where he worked for 51 years. He is most notable for popularizing the phrase "the opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." Described as a "sports icon", Cook also was a sports anchor at San Antonio television station KENS
from 1956 to 2000. For most of these years, the TV station was owned by the San Antonio Express-News.
, Cook worked at the San Antonio Express-News from August 14, 1952 until he retired on August 3, 2003. In early 1956, he first made national headlines when, acting on a tip, he confronted a suspect in a Houston robbery and in the process wound up himself arrested and charged with armed robbery. (He would later be exonerated when the suspect confessed to the original crime.) Cook wrote his first sports column for the San Antonio Express-News on November 29, 1956. In addition to his newspaper and television duties, he wrote six columns per week, and had two sports telecasts and two radio commentaries daily. He also served as the Express-News executive sports editor from 1960 to 1975.
and the Washington Bullets. The phrase was then attributed to Bullets coach Dick Motta
, who had borrowed it during Washington's successful 1978 title run.
The Yale Book of Quotations later concluded that it first appeared in print in 1976, attributed to Texas Tech
sports information director Ralph Carpenter, and was a variation on an old Southern
saying.
for two years. He had a wife, Katy, a brother, Frank Cook from Houston
, two daughters, Marie Gian of Rockport
and Alice Ann Ashton of San Antonio, a son, Danny Cook of San Antonio, and, at the time of his death, three grandchildren.
San Antonio Express-News
The San Antonio Express-News is the daily newspaper of San Antonio, Texas. It is ranked as the third-largest daily newspaper in the state of Texas in terms of circulation, and is one of the leading news sources of South Texas, with offices in Austin, Brownsville, Laredo, and Mexico City...
, where he worked for 51 years. He is most notable for popularizing the phrase "the opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." Described as a "sports icon", Cook also was a sports anchor at San Antonio television station KENS
KENS-TV
KENS is the CBS affiliate television station in San Antonio, Texas owned and operated by The Belo Corporation. Prior to late April 2010, KENS also managed UPN, later The CW, affiliate station KCWX through a local marketing agreement...
from 1956 to 2000. For most of these years, the TV station was owned by the San Antonio Express-News.
Career
After beginning his sportswriting career at the Houston PostHouston Post
The Houston Post was a newspaper that had its headquarters in Houston, Texas, United States. In 1995, the newspaper was absorbed into the Houston Chronicle.-History:The newspaper was established on February 19, 1880, by Gail Borden Johnson...
, Cook worked at the San Antonio Express-News from August 14, 1952 until he retired on August 3, 2003. In early 1956, he first made national headlines when, acting on a tip, he confronted a suspect in a Houston robbery and in the process wound up himself arrested and charged with armed robbery. (He would later be exonerated when the suspect confessed to the original crime.) Cook wrote his first sports column for the San Antonio Express-News on November 29, 1956. In addition to his newspaper and television duties, he wrote six columns per week, and had two sports telecasts and two radio commentaries daily. He also served as the Express-News executive sports editor from 1960 to 1975.
The phrase
He first said the phrase "the opera ain't over until the fat lady sings" on a 1978 newscast discussing the NBA playoff series between the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
and the Washington Bullets. The phrase was then attributed to Bullets coach Dick Motta
Dick Motta
John Richard "Dick" Motta is a former basketball coach whose career in the National Basketball Association spanned 25 years, and he continues to rank among the NBA's all-time top 10 in coaching victories....
, who had borrowed it during Washington's successful 1978 title run.
The Yale Book of Quotations later concluded that it first appeared in print in 1976, attributed to Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University . The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders; however, the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name. The university's athletic program fields teams in 15 varsity sports and 30 club sports...
sports information director Ralph Carpenter, and was a variation on an old Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
saying.
Honors and awards
On March 1, 1996, Cook was inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame for his work as a columnist and a broadcaster.Personal life
Cook was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated St. Thomas High School in Houston and attended the University of HoustonUniversity of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
for two years. He had a wife, Katy, a brother, Frank Cook from Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, two daughters, Marie Gian of Rockport
Rockport, Texas
Rockport is a city in Aransas County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,385 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Aransas County. The coastal community has approximately 8000 citizens. Large windswept live oaks are a dominating feature of the area and the state's oldest live oak,...
and Alice Ann Ashton of San Antonio, a son, Danny Cook of San Antonio, and, at the time of his death, three grandchildren.