Theodore A. ‘Ted’ Sarandis Obituary, Cause of Death; Theodore A. ‘Ted’ Sarandis, American Sports Radio Personality Passes Away
Theodore A. “Ted” Sarandis, a prominent American sports radio personality renowned for his influential presence in Boston’s sports media landscape, has passed away.
Sarandis was best known for hosting the “Ted Nation” show on WEEI and serving as the play-by-play announcer for Boston College basketball. His dynamic broadcasting style and unwavering commitment to collegiate athletics left an indelible mark on the sports community.
Ted Sarandis graduated from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where he honed his skills in journalism and broadcasting. His passion for sports and media was evident early on, setting the stage for a distinguished career in sports radio
In 1992, Sarandis began hosting “Ted Nation,” a weeknight sports talk show on Boston’s WEEI radio station. Airing from 7 PM to midnight, the program quickly gained a dedicated following, particularly among male listeners aged 25–54, and consistently achieved top ratings in its time slot.
Sarandis was a fervent advocate for college sports in the Boston area, using his platform to highlight collegiate athletics and engage with fans on pressing sports topics. His tenure at WEEI concluded in September 2005, with “Ted Nation” being succeeded by “The Planet Mikey Show” hosted by Mike Adams.
Beyond his role at WEEI, Sarandis was the distinctive voice of Boston College men’s basketball from 1995 to 2010. His enthusiastic commentary, marked by his signature exclamation “WOW” during pivotal plays, endeared him to fans and became a hallmark of his broadcasting style.
He often concluded Eagles’ victories with the emphatic declaration, “The horn sounds, this one is over, and Boston College has won. WOW!” In 2009, in recognition of his contributions to collegiate basketball broadcasting, Sarandis was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sarandis’s passion for college basketball extended beyond his work with Boston College. He co-developed and hosted “College Basketball Tonight,” an in-depth program featuring discussions with coaches, analysts, and other experts.
The show aired weekly during the NCAA tournament season, providing listeners with comprehensive coverage of “March Madness” through the Final Four. In 2013, Kennesaw State University men’s basketball coach Al Skinner co-hosted the show on WATD 95.9, and starting in 2014, it was broadcast on New York City’s WNYM-AM (970) “The Answer.”
Throughout his career, Sarandis lent his voice to various collegiate sports programs, including basketball play-by-play for Boston University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and Holy Cross.