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The "Sunshine Scooter" is riding off into the sunset. Florida State alumnus Lee Corso is retiring from his role as the mascot headgear-wearing analyst on "College GameDay," ESPN announced April 17.
Corso, who will turn 90 years old in August, will make his final appearance on ESPN's signature college football pregame show Aug. 30, according to an ESPN news release. The former FSU player and longtime coach has been a part of the show since it first began in 1987.
The location of Corso's show will be announced at a later date. The Seminoles open the 2025 season that day at home against Alabama.
"My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and 'College GameDay' for nearly 40 years,” Corso said in ESPN's news release. "I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement."
Raised in Miami, Corso starred on both offense and defense at FSU from 1953 to 1956. It was in Tallahassee that he picked up his nickname "Sunshine Scooter" for his speed, and he would be inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its second class in 1978.
Corso put all up kinds of stats at FSU with 1,267 rushing yards, 409 receiving yards and 527 passing yards with 18 total touchdowns. He had 14 interceptions as a defensive back, tied for Deion Sanders for third in program history. He even made all five of his extra-point kicks. Corso was an honorable mention on the 1956 AP All-America team.
Corso is most known for is eccentric style in his TV analysis, whistling to accentuate his points and his good-natured ribbing of those whose opinions he disagreed with: Guest pickers on "College GameDay" hoped their picks would draw out a "Not so fast, my friend!"
But of course his longest-lasting contribution to the show was the show's grand finale: his headgear pick. In 1996, Corso began putting on part of the mascot costume for the team he picked to win, drawing wild applause or a chorus of boos in front of the fanatic live audience. It became the staple of the show and one of the most anticipated moments of the college football week for decades.
For health reasons, Corso has had to step back his involvement in the show for the past few seasons, coming out only to make his picks at the end.
"ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years," Corso said in the news release. "They accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of 'College GameDay.' Special thanks to Kirk Herbstreit for his friendship and encouragement. And lest I forget, the fans … truly a blessing to share this with them. ESPN gave me this wonderful opportunity and provided me the support to ensure success. I am genuinely grateful."
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lee Corso retiring from College GameDay: Look back at FSU football career
Continue reading...
Corso, who will turn 90 years old in August, will make his final appearance on ESPN's signature college football pregame show Aug. 30, according to an ESPN news release. The former FSU player and longtime coach has been a part of the show since it first began in 1987.
The location of Corso's show will be announced at a later date. The Seminoles open the 2025 season that day at home against Alabama.
"My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and 'College GameDay' for nearly 40 years,” Corso said in ESPN's news release. "I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement."
Lee Corso was an FSU football star
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Raised in Miami, Corso starred on both offense and defense at FSU from 1953 to 1956. It was in Tallahassee that he picked up his nickname "Sunshine Scooter" for his speed, and he would be inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its second class in 1978.
Corso put all up kinds of stats at FSU with 1,267 rushing yards, 409 receiving yards and 527 passing yards with 18 total touchdowns. He had 14 interceptions as a defensive back, tied for Deion Sanders for third in program history. He even made all five of his extra-point kicks. Corso was an honorable mention on the 1956 AP All-America team.
Lee Corso headgear picks became college football tradition
Corso is most known for is eccentric style in his TV analysis, whistling to accentuate his points and his good-natured ribbing of those whose opinions he disagreed with: Guest pickers on "College GameDay" hoped their picks would draw out a "Not so fast, my friend!"
But of course his longest-lasting contribution to the show was the show's grand finale: his headgear pick. In 1996, Corso began putting on part of the mascot costume for the team he picked to win, drawing wild applause or a chorus of boos in front of the fanatic live audience. It became the staple of the show and one of the most anticipated moments of the college football week for decades.
For health reasons, Corso has had to step back his involvement in the show for the past few seasons, coming out only to make his picks at the end.
"ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years," Corso said in the news release. "They accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of 'College GameDay.' Special thanks to Kirk Herbstreit for his friendship and encouragement. And lest I forget, the fans … truly a blessing to share this with them. ESPN gave me this wonderful opportunity and provided me the support to ensure success. I am genuinely grateful."
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lee Corso retiring from College GameDay: Look back at FSU football career
Continue reading...
