Joe Dean

Robert Joe Dean, an American basketball player and broadcaster, was born April 26, 1930, in Brazil, Indiana, and died November 17, 2013. Known as "Mr. String Music," he was the voice of Southeastern Conference basketball for most of the 1970s and 1980s. Raised in New Albany, Indiana, in a one-bedroom home with his parents, Cyril and Thelma, and his older sister Louise, he went by "Bob Joe" early in life before being tagged "Jojo" on the basketball courts of his hometown, a nickname used by those closest to him throughout his life. Dean was a starter at New Albany High School and served as team captain during his senior year. His high school coach, Gordon Raney, to whom Dean was extremely close, suggested he attend LSU, where Raney thought he would receive more playing time. Dean played at LSU from 1949 through 1952. In 2007, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the New Albany High School Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the game.