Ryan Boyle
Premier Lacrosse League Analyst
“The sport of lacrosse owes an incredible amount of gratitude to JV, as he championed the sport within ESPN for the greater part of two decades. While his impact is immediately and obviously seen raising awareness at the collegiate level, his true influence was through providing access and role models for thousands of younger players. Gone were the days having to tape the few televised games on old-school VHS tapes. Under John’s watch, the youth, along with fans across every demographic, could watch the next budding stars represent themselves, their unique styles and respective programs as they competed on a national stage.
He helped create a level of recognition such that when the top echelon reached the professional ranks, you could continue to root on your favorite players as they became true ambassadors of the sport. On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the trust he showed in taking a shot on a young kid without any professional skills as streaming games on platforms like ESPN3 were just starting to generate momentum. I will always appreciate his guidance, mentorship and empathy as we navigated each season together.”
Heather Lee Claggett
Associate Producer, ESPN
“I call him my ‘Work Dad’ because I know he cares not only about my career, but all aspects of my life. He is always encouraging me to be mentally and physically healthy so that I can put my best foot forward for others like he does.
JV took a sport like lacrosse and really brought it to life on people’s screens in a way that no one would have imagined when he started. He knew that the lacrosse world was watching, took that responsibility and continued to set the bar higher every year for our broadcasts. He does this with his employees, too. Five years ago, he saw an opportunity for me to be a leader in our lacrosse coverage. Through that role, he has continued to believe in me and has made me a better leader year after year. He has taught me to love lacrosse through his passion for it, and now I don’t want to go a spring season or Memorial Day without it.”
Dave Pietramala
Former Johns Hopkins coach
“The growth and popularity of our great game, especially at the collegiate level, can in part be directly tied to television. While behind the scenes, few have had the positive impact that John Vassallo from ESPN has. He supported, promoted and produced many of the games we have seen on television. He has quietly helped bring lacrosse to our homes for so many to enjoy over the years. Hats off to a terrific producer and supporter and even better man. Thank you, John.”
Mark Dixon
ESPN analyst
“John has helped take the regional coverage of the sport to a national level. Sure, Championship Weekend had been a staple since the mid-90s, but with the birth of ESPNU in 2005, JV oversaw the multiplication of games from those few on Memorial Day Weekend to at least one game or multiple games shown to a national audience on a weekly basis. All of a sudden, kids in non-traditional pockets are watching these games consistently and saying to themselves, ‘That can be me!’
JV’s leadership at ESPN in being a champion of the sport has been a huge reason why the game has grown and college rosters have players from all over the country on them.
Personally, JV has been a mentor and a friend. We have had numerous conversations over the years where he has provided me guidance and advice on how to approach and/or handle situations as it pertains to broadcasting. He always takes the time to lend his personal experience without making it about him, his opinion without trying to sway one way or the other. It has been a real gift for me to have him as such a valued resource.”
Mike Corey
ESPN Play-by-play announcer
“When I began at ESPN 10 years ago, it was through lacrosse. JV was one of the ones who gave me that opportunity. I looked up the game to see Feb. 26, 2011 — Siena at Johns Hopkins. The first of many games that I called that season as I began working at the network that I dreamed of years and years ago.
Then, just a year later, when I was at Championship Weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Memorial Day in 2012, he pulled me aside to ask me what it would take to get me to come aboard ESPN full-time and call football, basketball and lacrosse beginning in the fall. I ended up signing my first contract that summer. I will never forget that and how he helped get me to where I am today.
He has always been special to me, and I have always appreciated how much he has done for me personally and professionally. I know he loves the sport, and I can only imagine how much time, effort and energy he has put into it over the years to see that our coverage is the best it could possibly be, especially through all the changes and challenges we face year after year. He will be missed in all aspects at ESPN, especially for all of us who had the pleasure to work with him and get to know him so well over these years.
I know our relationship will continue on, and I'm thankful for that. JV, thank you for all that you have done for all of us for so many years!”