Sonny Hill
Sonny Hill | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Randolph Hill July 22, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Sports announcer, basketball advocate |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Known for | Philadelphia sports radio, Sonny Hill League |
William Randolph "Sonny" Hill (born July 22, 1936) is a retired American sports announcer and a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. He is recognized as a leading figure in Philadelphia sports radio and currently acts as an executive advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers. Hill, often referred to as Mr. Basketball and "The Mayor of Basketball" within Philadelphia, established the impactful Sonny Hill League and has played a vital role in advancing basketball.
Early life
A native of Philadelphia, Hill completed his education at Northeast High School in 1955. Following two years of college education, he entered the Eastern Basketball League. He is also the father of filmmaker K. Brent Hill.
Broadcasting career
Hill launched his broadcasting journey in 1969, serving as a color analyst alongside Andy Musser for the Philadelphia 76ers. Between 1973 and 1977, he contributed as a commentator for the NBA on CBS. Since 1987, Hill has been hosting a weekly program on SportsRadio 94 WIP, maintaining a prominent role in Philadelphia's sports media landscape.
The Sonny Hill League
Founded in 1968, the Sonny Hill Community Involvement League is an amateur summer basketball league based in the Delaware Valley that was created to offer youth a positive alternative to gang involvement. It began as an offshoot of the Charles Baker Memorial League and has expanded to feature over 60 teams with more than 800 participating student athletes.
Awards and honors
- In 2008, Hill was honored with the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.