Seminole County has rolled out the proverbial red carpet to celebrate one of college football's most treasured personalities, declaring August 26th as "Lee Corso Day." This gesture comes as Corso, 90, prepares to hang up his proverbial hat after nearly four decades of broadcasting on ESPN's "College GameDay." Such recognition is to honor the decades of laughter, insights, and his infamous headgear selections that became a hallmark of college football Saturdays. "It means so much to me for people like this to say nice things about me, and I hope that I deserve them," Corso said in a statement detailed by ClickOrlando.
The Seminole County commissioners didn't just dole out a ceremonial day for kicks; Corso's impact reaches beyond his zany antics and mascot mystique. A mentor and an ambassador for the sport, Corso also served as a longtime educator of the game, which he relayed through his wealth of experience as a coach. Before his broadcasting days, he held the reins at colleges including Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois. His coaching career, lasting an impressive 28 years, segued into a broadcasting stint beginning in 1987 that would see him become one of the most recognizable faces in college football.
As for the headgear, it's no small footnote in Corso's persona. Starting the trend in October 1996, he has made 286 successful picks in 430 tries, according to information from ClickOrlando. His Saturday selections often involved him donning anything from mascot heads to iconic helmets, and sometimes he’d even grace the set dressed as historic figures like James Madison or Benjamin Franklin, all for the love of the sport and the delight of fans.
According to WESH, residents and fans will have the opportunity to bid farewell to Corso this Saturday on his final broadcast.
