Rutgers Athletics and NJ High School Sports followers mourn the loss of the voice of the Scarlet Knights, Lou Brogno, who passed away suddenly on Saturday. Brogno, 62, provided colorful personality, storytelling, and signature enthusiasm to hundreds of Rutgers Athletics broadcasts, and has done the same for nearly 40 years across the region covering multiple sports spanning the Atlantic 10, Big East, and Big Ten Conferences and high school athletics. According to Rutgers University, Brogno's voice first appeared on Rutgers fans' televisions in the 1980s on TKR Cable in Piscataway.
He was known for his thorough preparation and knowledge of all Rutgers teams and student-athletes, eventually expanding his talent to cover every athletic offering on the airwaves.
Ruthers said he started filling in on play-by-play and color for Cablevision in 2013, then in 2015 became the primary play-by-play voice for Rutgers basketball, wrestling, soccer, field hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, baseball, and softball on Big Ten Network+. A true Rutgers man and a family man, Brogno met his wife, Ellen, at a Scarlet Knights football game. "Lou was a beloved member of our Rutgers Athletics family," said Rutgers Deputy Athletic Director Sarah Baumgartner. "A local broadcasting legend, we were fortunate to have Lou be the voice of the Scarlet Knights, lending his talents to hundreds of games over the years. We are deeply saddened by this sudden loss and our condolences go out to Lou's family. He will be missed by all who knew him."
A New York Emmy Award nominee, Brogno has served the metro area as an on-air talent and sports producer for high school, college, and minor league baseball broadcasts for nearly four decades. He recently worked as the MSG Varsity New Jersey Regional Coordinating Producer and as a reporter for MSG and NJ News 12 Varsity's Tri-State High School sports coverage.
Brogno has also provided play-by-play for Princeton and Army athletic contests. Brogno was the voice of the Emmy-nominated Snapple High School Football and Basketball Game of the Week on MSG Network.
The local broadcasting legend earned a National Cable Ace Award along with five other nominations for the honor, and claimed three New Jersey Cable Television Awards and a nomination for the National Beacon Award. Brogno had a passion for his work on all sports, but baseball had a special place in his heart.
He lived the dream by calling play-by-play for minor league baseball with the Somerset Patriots, Long Island Ducks, Newark Bears, Brooklyn Cyclones, and New Jersey Cardinals. His voice was also heard on MSG Varsity's High School Sports Desk and Jersey Sports Call, and previously TKR's Final Score and News Central 6, Cablevision's Sports Scene. According to Ruthers Brogno is survived by his wife, Ellen, and his daughter, Stephanie.