Thirty years ago, Bill Hillgrove was comfortable in his role as the play-by-play man for the University of Pittsburgh calling Panthers basketball games.
Then, all of a sudden, Hillgrove found himself not only in the running for the role of Steelers broadcaster, but the eventual choice to replace the legendary Jack Fleming.
Oddly enough, it’s a role that Hillgrove — who announced his retirement from calling Steelers games Thursday — didn’t even apply for.
In an interview with WTAE’s Andrew Stockey, Hillgrove recalled getting the Steelers’ broadcasting job in 1994, a position he’d hold for 30 years.