Long before there was ESPN and the abundance of other media outlets covering college football, each Saturday Dave Diles was the face that we looked forward to seeing to get all of the scores.

For years Diles hosted ABC's "Prudential College Football Scoreboard" show. It was just one of the many duties Diles handled with professionalism during his long tenure with the network.

Diles passed away on the evening of December 26 at his home in Athens, Ohio following an extended illness. He was 78.

He was a name that made those living in the region of southeastern Ohio and West Virginia swell with pride. Diles grew up in the Meigs County town of Middleport, Ohio. He graduated from old Middleport High School in 1949.

Following high school Diles attended Ohio University for a brief period before launching a career in print. He worked for the Pomeroy Daily Sentinel, Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Athens Messinger before landing a job with The Associated Press.

His work with AP would eventually take him to Detoit. It was there where he ventured into radio and television. He became a popular figure in the Motor City working for ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV. While there he started to earn network assignments and ultimately went full-time with ABC Sports.

Besides the scoreboard show, Diles covered professional bowling, the Indy 500, the Olympics and handled many duties for ABC's "Wide World of Sports" during his more than 20 years at ABC. He also did some work for ABC's "Monday Night Football."

His true passion in the profession was to write. Diles was the author or co-author of several books: Up Close and Personal: The Inside Story of Network Television Sports, From Ashes to Glory: Conflicts and Victories on and Beyond the Football Field, What Makes a Man?: 12 Promises That Will Change Your Life, Twelfth Man in the Huddle, Terry Bradshaw: Man of Steel, Duffy: An Autobiography, Archie: The Archie Griffin Story and Nobody's Perfect.

He had a deep love and admiration for his family and friends. And he was a true animal lover.

Dave Diles was a good man, as good as they come.

A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for January of 2010.