Bill Raftery is a distinguished American basketball analyst and former coach, renowned for his extensive contributions to college basketball both on the court and in the broadcast booth.
Early Life and Playing Career
Born on April 19, 1943, in Orange, New Jersey, Raftery was raised in Kearny. He attended St. Cecilia High School, where he became the state’s all-time leading scorer with 2,193 points—a record he held for nine years. He earned all-state honors and led his team to a state championship in his senior year.
Raftery continued his basketball career at La Salle University from 1960 to 1963, where he co-captained the team to the National Invitation Tournament as a senior. He was selected by the New York Knicks in the 14th round of the 1963 NBA Draft but did not play professionally.
Coaching Career
Raftery’s coaching tenure began at Fairleigh Dickinson University–Madison (now Florham Park, New Jersey), where he served as head coach from 1963 to 1968, also coaching golf and acting as associate athletic director.
He then became the head coach at Seton Hall University from 1970 to 1981, achieving a record of 154–141. Under his leadership, the team made four ECAC postseason tournaments and two NIT appearances. He was named Coach of the Year by the New Jersey Sports Writers Association in 1979.
Broadcasting Career
Transitioning to broadcasting, Raftery began as co-host of ESPN’s College Hoops Tonight in 1980 and started calling New Jersey Nets games in 1982. He joined CBS Sports in 1983 as a college basketball analyst, gaining prominence through his 15-year partnership with Verne Lundquist.
In 2015, he was paired with Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson to form the primary announcing team for the NCAA Tournament. Since 2013, Raftery has also served as the lead analyst for Fox Sports’ college basketball coverage, partnering with Gus Johnson.
Notable Contributions
Raftery is celebrated for his colorful commentary and memorable catchphrases, such as:
- “Onions!” (celebrating a clutch shot)
- “Send it in, big fella!” (reacting to a slam dunk)
- “With a little kiss!” (noting a banked-in shot)
- “Get the puppies organized!” (advising on footwork)
He is also known for his enthusiastic “Man-to-man!” at the start of games and his iconic call, “Send It In, Jerome!”, after Jerome Lane’s memorable backboard-shattering dunk in 1988.
Awards and Honors
Raftery’s excellence has been recognized with several accolades, including:
- Induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2017
- The Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006
- Four Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst
- Induction into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame in 2015
Personal Life
Raftery earned a master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University in 1966 and received an honorary doctorate from La Salle University in 2001. He and his wife, Joan Fleming, reside in Florida and have four children: Billy, Kristi, Kelli, and Suzi, along with five grandchildren.
For a deeper insight into Bill Raftery’s iconic “Onions!” call, you might find this video informative: