Remembering WXYZ Sportscaster Don Shane
In Memoriam | 1952-2023
"Don Shane was a pro's pro. Enthusiasm was his hallmark, but he was always well prepared, let his subjects be the stars, and didn't need to knock others down to raise himself,” - John U. Bacon
Don Shane and Paige Kornblue, The Big House: September 12, 2009
Make the call.
Travel to that place.
Continue to connect with those people.
People who change the trajectory of your life.
People like Don Shane.
Don was a longtime WXYZ (ABC) Channel 7 sportscaster who brought me on as a student intern during my senior year at the University of Michigan.
He passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 70 with his two children by his side.
Don spent nearly four decades in the TV news business covering the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup, the World Series and the Rose Bowl.. highlighting every big sports story and every fabulous professional athlete and coach along the way.
WXYZ Sports Coverage, Spring 2002
"Don Shane was a pro's pro. Enthusiasm was his hallmark, but he was always well prepared, let his subjects be the stars, and didn't need to knock others down to raise himself,” said New York Times bestselling author, John U. Bacon.
“He talked with you, not down to you. We loved him because he cared and shared the ups and downs with all of us,” said Jim Murdock, Assistant Dean of the University of Michigan Business School from 1987-2001 , now Ross School of Business.
Don hosted “Dare Don” segments where he would answer viewers' hilarious challenges and also the “Big Ten Ticket” with legendary former Michigan head football coach Bo Schembachler.
“I recall once when he couldn't make the recording for his weekly show with Bo Schembechler, and Bo insisted they put aside Shane's would-be substitute, and wait until 'His guy' could make the taping -- which says something. Many others have told me what a great mentor he was, too,” added Bacon.
He sure was.
In my eyes, it was Don Shane who was the legend.
In the Newsroom: WXYZ Sports Department, 2002
I was a broadcasting hopeful. A gal who knew she wanted a career in television but wasn’t quite sure yet how to do it. At the time, the University of Michigan had a strong Communication Studies program, but it wasn’t the place you went for a top-notch Broadcast Journalism program.
So you could say Don Shane was my first broadcast journalism professor and one of only a few through the years to truly show me how it’s done.
And he did it with humor. And honesty. And kindness.
And he made it look so darn easy.
On-air, he could cover any story at any time.
Off-air, it was stories about his two children - Justin and Lindsay - he told the most.
He walked fast. He talked fast. It was hard to keep up with him.
“Run this tape to Reggie in the truck, Paige!” he said while standing on the ice at Joe Louis Arena.
The tape had on it an interview Don had just done with one of the Detroit Redwings (that 2002 team would go on to have ten future Hockey Hall of Famers) and the tape needed to get to the live truck ASAP to be edited and fed back for the 11pm newscast.
“How?” I said, not sure of my route as I glared up at an arena of thousands screaming for the Redwings on their ‘Road to the Stanley Cup.’
“Go under the bleachers. Here, let me show you a shortcut,” Don replied.
When I would get back from running tape, into the locker room we would go for post-game interviews.
“Chin up, head up,” he would say to me as reporters pushed through the door.
Can’t say I had been in a men’s locker room before this job so that ALL was a bit of a blur!
And all of the above all over again at The Palace of Auburn Hills for Detroit Pistons games.
Michigan’s Crisler Center too.
After the games, when Don’s work was done, he stayed late to help me with mine.
He had me repeat his on-camera “standup” - what we, in the news business, call our on-camera parts of a news piece. Don would have me walk his walk and talk his talk and have his videographer record it all, take after take, so that I could put a resume tape together for my upcoming job search.
Don fixed my words.
His beautiful wife, Mona - often standing a few steps behind him - fixed my makeup.
“Put on a little more lipstick, Paige!” Mona would shout.
The Shanes were responsible for that little extra makeup on my face and a lot of extra pep in my step throughout my television career and… throughout my life.
Having the opportunity to try to keep up with and learn from Don Shane was such an honor. He made interning and later, broadcasting, tailgating and dining much more fun.
“We already missed him on TV, and now his family and friends will miss him, too," said Bacon.
