OMAHA, Neb. -- Longtime Bradley men's basketball radio play-by-play man Dave Snell will remain hospitalized at the Creighton University Medical Center at least one more night after taking ill before Wednesday night's game at Creighton.
Snell, 51, began calling the action for the Braves on WMBD AM 1470 in Peoria for the start of the 1979-80 season and had worked 794 consecutive games in his 27 seasons behind the microphone until Wednesday night. Although the Bradley Sports Information Office will list his streak at 795 consecutive broadcasts because he did perform the pregame interviews for Wednesday's broadcast, Snell has already conceded that he will not work Saturday night's game versus Indiana State due to his inability to properly prepare for the game.
Upon arriving at Qwest Center OMAHA to begin preparing for Wednesday night's Bradley-Creighton game, Snell was complaining of not feeling well and believed he may have been suffering from food poisoning. With about 50 minutes remaining on the pregame clock, and while seated at his broadcast position, Snell briefly passed out. He was revived by Bradley booster and former Braves baseball player Jeff Doeden and was quickly treated by medical personnel in the arena before being transported to the Creighton University Medical Center.
Snell has undergone a battery of tests and he reports that Wednesday's illness was not heart-related. However, since the cause of the episode has not been determined, he will remain in the hospital for at least another night.
Snell's longtime broadcast partner, former Braves head coach Joe Stowell, handled the play-by-play call Wednesday night. Former Bradley All-American Roger Phegley, who has previous experience on WEEK-TV telecasts of Bradley Basketball, was at the game and took over as the analyst. Pregame show host Dan DiOrio, a popular morning show talent for WMBD AM 1470, is expected to handle the play-by-play call for Saturday night's Indiana State game.
The Bradley Sports Information Office will continue to update Snell's status on the athletic department's official website -- www.bubraves.com -- and will accept “Get Well” wishes on Snell's behalf via email at bparker@bradley.edu.
