Bill Worrell
One of the most familiar faces within the Houston sports scene, Bill Worrell’s broadcasting career spans
more than 50 years. He spent 39 years broadcasting Houston Rockets basketball on television and was
recognized in 2011 with a Lone Star Sports Emmy Award for excellence in broadcasting.
Worrell broke into the television business in 1970 shortly after graduating from the University of
Houston, where he attended on a baseball scholarship. His first assignment was with KPRC Channel 2,
where he served as Sports Director from 1974-1980. During that time, he received six “Best
Sportscaster” awards from the United Press International and the Texas Association of Broadcasters.
Worrell was one of the original employees for Home Sports Entertainment, Texas’ first sports cable
channel. He signed the network on the air January 3, 1983, with a pregame broadcast prior to the
network’s inaugural event, a Rockets home game. Worrell quickly established himself as one of
Houston’s most versatile sportscasters. He served as an analyst on Houston Astros telecasts from 1985-
2004 and provided play-by-play coverage for the Houston Oilers and a variety of college sports. During
his career, Worrell has covered and reported on numerous national sports events, including the Super
Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Major League Baseball Playoffs and NCAA Basketball
Tournaments.
A civic leader as well as broadcaster, Worrell generously donates his time to numerous charities and
organizations and serves as master of ceremonies for many events. He currently serves on the Board of
MyFriends Foundation for at risk children. Worrell was also named a Distinguished Alumnus of the
University of Houston School of Communication in 1998 and was presented the Outstanding Alumni
Award from the Alumni Association at the 60th Annual Awards Gala in April of 2014.
