Hall of Fame
Mark E. "Doc" Andrews will be the third recipient of the Athletic Hall of Fame Honor Award which recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in assisting Wayne State Warrior Athletics. The WSU Athletic Hall of Fame is in its 30th year.
Andrews' childhood dream was to be a sportscaster in his hometown of Detroit. He achieved that goal by being one of the leading and most respected sportscasters in the Motor City as sports director on "The Dick Purtan Show" on WOMC radio (FM 104.3).
Mark earned the nickname "Doc" from Dick Purtan early on. Since he was never stumped by a "Leave it to Beaver" trivia question, Purtan named him the "Doctor of Beavology," hence "Doc."
"Although Doc was short in stature and stood only 4' 7", to our listeners, fans and fellow workers, he stood tall throughout his life," said Purtan.
WOMC listeners remember Doc by the popular characters he voiced on "Dick Purtan & Purtan's People" including: Alan Walnuts, Newsman Gordon Kincaid, Announcer Sterling Heights, Mr. Michigan and his impersonations of Detroit Red Wings' radio announcers, Bruce Martin and Ken Kal.
Andrews also did play-by-play for the Detroit Pistons, University of Michigan, University of Detroit basketball, CCHA college hockey, Pro-Am Sports System (PASS), and the Comcast Cable Network. He began doing play-by-play for WSU football games in 1975 on WDET radio.
In addition, he served as a sports anchor on Channel 50 (WKBD) and Channel 20 (WXON) in Detroit and was also a sports reporter for Channel 4 (WDIV) in Detroit.
During his broadcasting career, Andrews was also the public address announcer for the World Cup Soccer tournament, the Super Bowl, and the NBA All-Star Game. He also served as the P.A. voice for the Detroit Red Wings, Lions, and Pistons, the Motor City Bowl along with Wayne State football and basketball.
Andrews became one of the nation's most popular personal development speakers, in the area of change, customer service, teamwork, diversity and positive healing. He presented programs internationally as well as around the U.S.
Mark was a participating member of the Little People of America, Incorporated and the Dwarf Athletic Association of America.
He was also a very talented writer. He was a columnist for the Detroit Metro Airport Connections newspaper and Michigan Hockey Magazine.
In an article Andrews wrote shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks about how fragile life is, Doc said, "Our success in the coming days, weeks, months and years depends upon people not living in fear, but continuing on for the greater good of our lives and our Country." He continued by stating, "Be a winner! Live life every day in an incredibly positive way."
That's how Doc fought his cancer too. His motivational slogan was, "You Can Be As Big As You Want To Be."
Andrews, who passed away on Feb. 21, 2004, after a courageous 10-month battle against colon cancer, was 51 years old.
He is survived by his wife Amy, son Edward, and daughters Hollis and Alicia.
