Wheeling, W. Va. – Wheeling University Athletics is saddened to learn of the passing of former Public Address Announcer Bill DiFabio. He passed away on Monday, August 3, after several years of health challenges. DiFabio was the voice of several Cardinal athletic events, and the entire department offers condolences to the DiFabio family.
"Bill DiFabio will always be remembered for his famous voice and the life he brought to sporting events across southwestern Pennsylvania and the tri-state region," said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. "He brought a vibrant energy to every Cardinal athletic event that he announced, ensuring each student-athlete felt special every time they stepped on the field. He will be greatly missed by his Cardinal family."
DiFabio's work with the Cardinals began in 2007, when former Wheeling Sports Information Director Brian Dennison brought him on as a PA Announcer. During his 18 years behind the microphone for Wheeling, DiFabio would call countless Cardinal moments across basketball, football, and volleyball. His primary role with the University came during basketball season, where he served as the main PA Announcer for Cardinal basketball from 2007 to 2025. He would see the men's and women's programs through six runs to the NCAA Tournament, as well as three Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championships. He would cover the careers of several Cardinal greats during his time, including current NBA player Haywood Highsmith, who spent his entire four-year career with the Cardinals. At Highsmith's jersey retirement on January 17, 2024, DiFabio presented the closing remarks, letting out a boisterous "#24 Haywood Highsmith" to close out the celebration.
Along with his work with Wheeling Athletics, DiFabio was a well-respected sports writer across southwestern Pennsylvania. He was the president of SPORTSCALL, the largest independent radio network in the U.S.A., serving 60 radio stations in five states covering the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. He hosted several talk shows across both radio and television with KDKA, WTAE, WWSW, KBL, and several other cable networks. Along with his PA Announcer duties at Wheeling, he served as the PA Announcer for the Steelers for seven years, Pitt Athletics for two years, the former Pittsburgh Piranhas for one season, and the Hartford Whalers for two seasons. However, his biggest assignment came with the Washington Wild Things, where he served as the PA voice of the team from 2002 until his retirement in 2022. DiFabio was inducted as a member of the Washington-Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Wheeling University remembers the life and legacy of Bill DiFabio and offers its condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those who knew him.
