Tracy has been working games at the cable company, originally known as Twin County, since the 1960s and sunk his teeth into TV after retiring as Whitehall basketball coach following the 1982-83 season.

''We have some old black-and-white video of him working games with Johnny Daday and Johnny Howard in the '60s,'' said Rick Geho, RCN's video production manager. ''He's a Lehigh Valley sports legend, there's no question about it, and we appreciate all he has done for us and we'll miss him.

''We hope he'll still be popping in from time to time and won't make himself a stranger from our facility.''

Tracy was best known as the basketball coach at Whitehall who led the Zephyrs to the 1982 PIAA 3A title.

However, Tracy knows his stuff regardless of the sport. He also had a vast background in both baseball and football.

But what made him a successful analyst was also what made him a successful coach -- preparation.

No one worked harder at knowing the teams, the kids, the coaches, and their tendencies better than Tracy.

Tracy has had some health issues in recent years and has been taking care of his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, wife Mary, who has been ailing.

''He's gone through some tough times, but he also never lost his enthusiasm for high school sports and the kids,'' Geho said. ''He knew everybody. He was like a little boy when it came to high school sports. He looked forward to the games.''

Tracy is also a well-known Yankees baseball and Notre Dame football fan, which was the source of considerable razzing over the years.

However, at least with the Yankees, Tracy often got the last laugh.

To me, a future Chris Michael ''Sports Talk'' show should be turned into a ''Tracy tribute show.''

Geho agreed, but said: ''The only person who would stop that from happening would be Dick himself because he never liked to talk about himself very much. He really doesn't want attention. It was always about the kids and the games.''

As for other changes at RCN, Geho couldn't comment, saying only that ''any time there is a change in management there's bound to be some restructuring.''

Geho would not confirm it, but sources indicate that Dennis Laub and Tony Cocca will no longer be game analysts, although Laub has been offered the chance to continue as an anchor on RCN's Friday night high school football call-in show.

Because I am at games on the same night, I didn't get to hear Laub or Cocca often, but both are likeable guys with great personalities. If either wants to get back into TV, I hope they'll get a chance.