Channel 7: Former longtime sportscaster Don Shane dies at age 70
Don Shane, the former longtime sports director at WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), has died at the age of 70, the station reported on Saturday morning.
Shane started his career in Detroit at Channel 4 in the early 1980s and after stints in Chicago and Boston, returned to Detroit in 1989 to become to top sports anchor at Channel 7. There, his on-air chemistry with TV legend Bill Bonds and his exuberant personality made him a star in the ultra-competitive media market.
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For 23 years, Shane was on the scene at nearly every major sports event in Michigan, from the NBA Finals, to the Stanley Cup Final to Rose Bowls, Final Fours, the World Series and even top boxing attractions featuring local fighters.
He also hosted "Big Ten Ticket," a college football pregame show with former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.
Shane distinguished himself with his "Dare Don" segments and episodes in the 1990s, in which he would answer challenges sent in by viewers, whether it be taking a hit in full football pads from Chris Spielman or even sporting a Bonds-like toupee for a sportscast.
In February 2012, Shane retired from Channel 7 and, according to the station, moved to Arizona.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former longtime Channel 7 sportscaster Don Shane dies at age 70
