Tom Mees

Thomas E. Mees (b. October 13, 1949, d. August 14, 1996 at Southington, Connecticut)

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Tom Mees was an American sports broadcaster specializing in ice hockey. He began his career as a student at the University of Delaware. He then took a job as sports director at WILM-AM in Wilmington, Delaware.

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After six years in Wilmington and one year in Tallahassee, Florida, Mees was hired by ESPN as one of their first on-air personalities for the network's launch on September 7, 1979.

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Mees was a lead anchor on Sportscenter from 1979 to 1987 when he took on play-by-play duties for NHL games on ESPN. ESPN later lost the NHL contract to Sportschannel America and Mees returned full time to Sportscenter. When the NHL returned to ESPN, Mees worked NHL games during the season and hosted Sportscenter in the off-season.

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By the 15th anniversary of ESPN, Mees was just one of three, along with Chris Berman and Bob Ley, original Sportscenter anchors still with the network.

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It was assumed that Mees would be with the network for many more anniversaries but on August 14, 1996, Mees, who was unable to swim, drowned while attempting to save his 4-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, who had fallen into a swimming pool. Gabrielle survived but efforts to save her 46-year-old father were unsuccessful.

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October 13: October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). There are 79 days remaining....

1949: 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday....

August 14: August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining....

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