Mr. Soccer
Beginning in 1970, anything happening in the soccer world, locally, nationally, or internationally, Bill has been either behind the microphone or in front of the camera. At the same time he was beginning his graphic design career, Bill would begin his broadcasting career as he reported back to St. Louis from the 1970 Mexico World Cup on KMOX radio. Bill’s voice has been heard for anything SLU related, from hockey, basketball, and in 1974 to present 2020, the voice of SLU men’s and women’s soccer.
From Public Address, Color Analysis or Commentary, and Play-by-Play, Bill has reported on NCAA Soccer and Basketball Championships, (indoor soccer) for the St. Louis Steamers. St. Louis Storm, and St. Louis Ambush along with Cleveland Force, (outdoor soccer) for the St. Louis Stars, Knights, and St. Louis F.C., along with Memphis Rogues, Dallas Burn, San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamos, Kansas City Wizard, and Cleveland Force. Attending or reporting World Cup games from Mexico, West Germany, Argentina, Spain, back to Mexico, U.S.A., Japan/South Korea, back to Germany, South Africa, and Russia.
In 1979, Bill was the color commentator for the first ever soccer game broadcasted on ESPN between U.C.L.A and S.L.U at Washington University Francis Field, now known as Francis Olympic Field.
In 1986, along with Bill Ley of ESPN as Play-by-Play and Bill McDermott as Color Commentator, were awarded an EMMY for their work with the Cleveland Force.
In 1994, Bill would provide color analysis at the Stanford Stadium and Rose Bowl venues for ESPN’s coverage of the World Cup in the United States. He would then return to Spartan Stadium in San Jose, site of his second NCAA D1 Championship in 1969, for analysis of the inaugural game of Major League Soccer on April 6, 1996. He would then provide color analysis for the 1998 World Cup in France for ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 and then was the daily host of Futbol de Primera’s English speaking coverage of the 2006 World Cup for XM Satellite Radio.
Color Commentator for numerous International Game on ESPN and every International Games that have recently been played in St. Louis.
In addition, Bill is called upon to emcee or be a guest presenter for a number of local ceremonies, including the emcee of the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet.
IN 38TH YEAR, ST. LOUISAN BILL MCDERMOTT
REIGNS AS LONGEST RUNNING U.S. SOCCER BROADCASTER
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (June 21, 2010) – The title of longest running U.S. soccer broadcaster now belongs to St. Louisan Bill McDermott. With the retirement of the legendary Seamus Malin, McDermott, who is in his 38th year behind the microphone, has now been broadcasting soccer longer than any current U.S. announcer.
With Columbus Crew
Sometime you get to meet some important people. Pele had that chance.
Emcee for St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame
Mary McDermott Basketball Tournament
At his best as Emcee for the Mary McDermott Basketball Tournament
With the loss of their daughter Mary McDermott, Bill and Connie McDermott and their friends decided what better way to remember their daughter. Mary was lost way too early in life. The tournament raised $517.000.00 for Cardinal Glennon to support the region’s First pediatric hybrid cardiac catheterization suite.
Reunion of the 1968 and 1969 St. Phillip Neri National Junior Champions , C.Y.C. All-Star 1968, SLU NCAA D1 Champions 1967 and 1969
Bill McDermott Inducted Missouri Sports Hall of Fame 2018 and Receives Heart of Gold Award from St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame 2017
Bill McDermott – Committee
Bill was induted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002. McDermott Joined ESPN at its inception in 1979 as the Network’s first soccer analyst. His career in soccer broadcasting dates back to 1970 when he covered the World Cup in Mexico for KMOX radio in St. Louis, MO. He has since reported on every World Cup for various radio and television stations including the 1994 and 1998 World Cups for ESPN, espn2 and ABC and the 2006 World Cup for XM Satellite Radio.
McDermott called the first soccer game televised on ESPN; a contest on October 18, 1979 matching UCLA against Saint Louis University at Washington University’s Francis Field. He served as an analyst and sideline reporter for Major League Soccer on ESPN, espn2 and ABC when the league began in 1996 until 2000. He is still active providing color analysis for the Columbus Crew of MLS since 2001 as well as St. Louis’ newest professional team, St. Louis Athletica of the WPS.
Bill has been involved in all levels of the sport since 1971. In 1997, he helped coach the St. Louis Busch Soccer Club U-19 girls to the National Semi-Finals and his U-18 Busch girls team won the Midwest Regional Championship and advanced to the National Finals in 2002. He received the Silver Boot from the CYC in 1995. McDermott has served as color commentator for the prestigious Dallas Cup for ESPN International. He has also called ESPN’s Italian Serie A games and in 1997 he was an on-air analyst for the network’s Nike Brazil World Victory Tour.
Bill McDermott is a 1970 graduate of Saint Louis University where he played for two of the University’s Championship Teams coached by Harry Keough and Val Pelizzaro. He also played on the United States National Junior Team in 1967. McDermott was inducted into the Saint Louis University Hall of Fame in 1994, the McBride High School Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 as a member of Saint Louis University’s NCAA Championship Teams. Prior to playing at McBride and Saint Louis University, he began his soccer playing years at St. Philip Neri in the CYC Program.
Over the years, Bill has served as the color analyst for the St. Louis Stars of the NASL, a commentator for the MISL and the voice of Saint Louis University Soccer since 1972.
McDermott and ESPN soccer play-by-play announcer Bob Ley received a local Emmy in 1987 for their coverage of the Cleveland Force of the MISL.
Born August 10, 1948 in St. Louis, McDermott is married and has three daughters. He owns a Graphic Design firm in St. Louis, specializing in Logos, Trademarks and Corporate Identity that began in 1976.
2 Comments
Leave your reply.