For the first time in a long time, Pitt and Steelers play-by-play broadcaster Bill Hillgrove is taking some time off.
Hillgrove, who will have back surgery, is going to miss at least the final two Steelers’ regular season games, two Pitt men’s basketball games and Pitt’s bowl game.
He’ll be replaced on Steelers broadcasts on flagship 102.5 WDVE-FM by Rob King of AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh, on the Pitt football broadcast by Larry Richert of KDKA-AM and on Pitt basketball broadcasts by Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan KDKA-FM.
Hathhorn, alongside color man Curtis Aiken, called the first Pitt basketball game of Hillgrove’s absence on Friday night.
Hillgrove has not missed a Steelers game since taking over as the head play-by-play man in 1994. He’s been the voice of Pitt basketball and Pitt football since the 1970s. Hillgrove is a Central Catholic and Duquesne alum and is a Pittsburgh native.
It’s not clear exactly when he will return to the airwaves.
Listen to the doctor, take the time needed to heal. We’ll miss you.