A City Mourns the Quiet Giant Who Held Philadelphia’s Sports Heart Together
The Philadelphia community is grieving the profound and unexpected loss of John “Sang” DiSangro, who passed away suddenly on June 26, 2025, at the age of 60. To many, Sang was an unsung hero—a man whose steady presence shaped decades of memories in both Temple basketball and Philadelphia sports broadcasting. His passing has stunned friends, colleagues, athletes, and fans who knew him not for the spotlight he avoided, but for the steadfast spirit he carried into every room he walked into. His loss feels impossibly heavy because Sang wasn’t just part of Philadelphia’s sports heartbeat—he was the rhythm that kept it steady.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sang learned early the value of loyalty, humility, and hard work—qualities he carried through his entire life. From his days as a Temple student manager to his decades behind the scenes in Philadelphia television, Sang lived a life built on purpose, service, and devotion to the people he loved.
The Backbone of Temple Basketball and the Steady Hand Behind Philadelphia Sports TV
What began as a student job in 1983 transformed into one of the most defining chapters of Temple Basketball history. For 19 seasons, Sang served as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations—a role created solely because of his unmatched dedication. He ran travel, gear, film, schedules, snacks, breakdowns, and logistics with a quiet mastery that kept the program thriving through 17 NCAA tournaments and five Elite Eight runs. Coaches and players universally agree: nothing worked unless Sang did.
Former assistant coach Dan Leibovitz captured the truth best: “There are staffs now with eight people doing what John did by himself.”
When Coach Chaney retired, Sang shifted his talents to the world of television, joining Comcast SportsNet (now NBC Sports Philadelphia) in 2006. For more than 25 years, he was the foundation of Phillies broadcasts—designing graphics, guiding production, and charming fans with the famous “Stump the Fans” trivia. His colleagues saw him as the bassist of a rock band: steady, essential, grounding everything while never seeking center stage. He earned a 2008 World Series ring for his work, but to Sang, the real reward was being part of a team he loved.
A Life Built on Love, Loyalty, and Showing Up for Others—Always
More than his accomplishments, it was Sang’s character that defined him. His kindness was effortless, his humor subtle and warm, his reliability unmatched. To his family—his partner Daryl of 26 years, her children, the grandchildren he adored, his siblings, nieces, nephews, and even his beloved turtle Tommy—Sang was the steady presence who made life richer simply by being in it. He blessed every sneeze, respected everyone he worked with, and made even the busiest workdays feel lighter just by showing up.
Friends describe him as someone who quietly held people together, someone who cared deeply, someone who remembered small details because he knew they mattered. His passing leaves behind an ache that words barely touch, but also a blueprint for how to live with purpose: be present, be kind, work hard, and love people well.