By: Pac-12 Conference
Pac-12 Enterprises dedicates broadcast control room to Bill Walton before the season’s tipoff
On Monday, Nov. 4, a new basketball season tipped off with a void that only a legend could leave.
Prior to the first season without Bill Walton in the world, the Pac-12 Enterprises team who worked closely with the legendary broadcaster and Hall-of-Fame player since Pac-12 Networks launch in 2012, dedicated a broadcast control room to Walton. During its production of Oregon State and Washington State basketball later in the day, the team debuted a tribute video narrated by longtime broadcast partner and friend Ted Robinson that included the unveiling of the Bill Walton control room plaque, a day before what would have been his 72nd birthday on Nov. 5.
In addition to the celebration during the season’s tipoff and around Walton’s birthday, the Pac-12 will also be celebrating Bill all season long with “Walton Wednesday’s” on Pac-12 Insider, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 13. The programming event will include a memorable broadcast with Bill on the mic while featuring special appearances by his peers to share their admiration for, thoughts and memories of the one-of-a-kind loving spirit. Pac-12 Insider is available for all to watch as a Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channel on Samsung TV Plus as well as Amazon platforms including the Amazon Prime Video app and Freeve on Smart TV’s and streaming devices.
The plaque dedicating the broadcast control room to Walton reads as follows:
Production Control Room 3 is dedicated to Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton. The Pac-12 is and always will be the Conference of Champions not because of trophies or medals, but because of amazing individuals, champions of life, who compete in this conference and establish legacies of excellence. There is no better example of this "Conference of Champions" spirit than Bill Walton. He brought this celebration to the court as one of the greatest basketball players in NCAA history as well as on air for Pac-12 broadcasts each and every show.
As gratefulness, curiosity, and a loving spirit defined his character, we thank Bill for HIS LIFE and all of the joy he brought to these Pac-12 halls.
Across social media, notable figures shared their thoughts and memories on what would have been Walton’s 72nd birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 5.