Obituary: Corey Twait of Broadcast Sports Inc.

Corey Twait, a driving force at BSI (Broadcast Sports Inc.) for over 10 years and the RF E.I.C. (engineer-in-charge) for the NASCAR crew, passed away last weekend as the result of a tragic motorcycle accident. His creativity and innovation brought exciting camera shots to the fans at home, while pushing the limits of technology in the field.  He was respected for his leadership, hard work, and commitment to excellence and loved for his warm, caring personality and great sense of humor.

Corey worked in live remote television for almost 20 years as a radio frequency technician.  He was very passionate about his work and his family on the road. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer, and his daughters Jocylin and Skylar.   He will be greatly missed, but will always be a part of the BSI family.

Memories from his BSI family and friends:

“We have lost a dear friend with the untimely passing of Corey Twait. His infectious smile, love of life and dedication to the industry he worked in will be missed by all his friends in television. My thoughts are with all his friends on the road and his family at home. Rest well now Corey, we will miss you.” –  Peter Larsson, BSI General Manager and Co-founder

“If you haven’t experienced it, life on the road is hard to appreciate. There is a bond that forms with friends that can’t be broken. I had the pleasure of working side by side with my friend Corey for many years. We worked together, ate together, golfed and fished together, talked and laughed a lot together. I will always remember his smile it was ear to ear. He was a good person and a great friend. I can only hope I was as good a friend to him as he was to me. He will be missed.” – Rick Magro

“Corey was a dear friend to me and several others at BSI. There was a small group of us who had worked hard and played hard together for over fifteen years. There are countless great memories to look back on and cherish. When we all got together there was always that special bond that was felt among all of us.  We were a true “Band of Brothers”.  While my heart is heavy now that you’re gone, part of me has to smile. You were a wonderful husband to Jen, a great father to your girls, and a special friend to all of us. Godspeed my friend!” – Doug Parr

“Our leader, great friend, and brother… You will be sorely missed.” – Tom Grigsby

“The NASCAR crew lost their captain, I lost my best friend, and the world lost a great man.” – John Richardson

“I and plenty of others wouldn’t be here at BSI if it wasn’t for Corey. He was our teacher and our leader. He was my younger big brother. I miss him, I love him, and my life is better because of him.” – Mark LaCorte

“I can’t think back over the last 13 years and think of a bad thing,  Corey always had that smile on his face. I don’t know anyone that enjoyed life like he did.  He always had his stories about what he did last week whether it was hanging with his daughters, a baseball game, riding his dirt bike, rebuilding his truck motor, and he especially liked to come back after the off season and tease me about all the awesome snow he got to play in with his truck over the winter (cause I don’t get a lot of good play snow here in Tilghman) and man did he love that that Harley. The TV business will never be the same, neither will I.  TV lost a dedicated, professional, hard working, knowledgable tech, and I lost a good friend.” – Robert Crow

“Losing Corey is very hard for many of us at BSI.  Most of us got the opportunity to work with Corey in different capacities.  I was his “#1 BSI Office Girl” (Gretchen and I will continue to argue over who held this title). Although I did not get to see Corey each week, like many of his other co-workers did, I will always miss those few times a year when I would see his smiling face and get to listen to the hilarious stories he would tell.  I did get to talk with Corey on the phone and in emails often, and even then his sense of humor would brighten up my day.  It’s amazing how consistent everyone’s memories of Corey were, always fun and full of laughs.  My thoughts go out to our guys who shared so much time with Corey on the road, to Jen who made Corey so noticeably happy, and to all his family and friends.  I will miss you a lot, Corey.” – Jacki Magro

“Talking to Corey each week would have me hanging up the phone laughing and smiling.  Corey was truly one of a kind, and I’m honored to be called his friend. Corey, I will miss you.“- Gretchen Pfeiffer

“Corey was an indispensible part of the BSI team. His dedication and expertise combined with his gentle nature made for great television and a wonderful atmosphere. The ease with which he was able to navigate the difficult line between leader and friend never failed to coax the best out of his coworkers. I am not sure he knew the power of his gracious smile, or the influence of a perfectly placed laugh, but their use had the uncanny ability to defuse any situation. He will be sorely missed.” – Clay Underwood

“The compound family is just that… and hearts were certainly heavy on Sunday.  I didn’t know Corey as a friend, but I know that those who did are trying to make sense out of a tragedy that will affect them forever.  I can only pray that they find peace of mind and rejoice in the memories of his short time on this earth.” – Fred Armstrong, MRN Radio

“There are very few people who you meet in this life, that after one smile you know they will be your great friend.  Corey Twait was one of those gems.  His laugh was infectious and his love for Jennifer and his daughters inspiring. I’m proud to call him my friend.” –   Kate Richardson

“I will miss Corey terribly. He always seemed happy, and interested in me as a person. I loved to hear him laugh. We go way back to the Boykin/TNN days. I’m not sure why a good man died so young, and it’s not for me to figure out. I just know that he made this world a better place, and I’m blessed to have known him.” – Steve Byrnes, FOX Sports/SPEED announcer and President of the Corey Twait Fan Club

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 7 from 5 – 8 p.m.  At 8 p.m. there will be a small service in remembrance of him.

Murphy-Sedgewick Memorial Home
209 E. Chestnut St.
Canton, IL 61520
(309) 647-1260
www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Celebration of Life to be held Friday, April 8, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Kemper Banquet Hall
1000 West Locust
Canton, IL 61520
Phone:  (309) 224-6345

Memorials may be made to a trust for Corey’s daughters Jocylin and Skylar.   Please make donations out to:

The Corey Twait Memorial Fund
MidAmerica National Bank
P. O. Box 310
Canton, IL 61520
Phone:  (309) 647-5000