• by David Goetzl , July 10, 2007

One of the personalities who helped make "SportsCenter" a maypole in the sports universe is leaving ESPN. Dan Patrick, who served as an anchor for 17 years, will leave the network's Bristol campus Aug. 17.

Patrick has also hosted an eponymous ESPN Radio show since 1999.

ESPN said Patrick and the network reached a mutual agreement, allowing the broadcaster to "pursue new interests." "... I have extremely mixed emotions about leaving," Patrick said. "I told ESPN that I believe it's time for me to try something different, something that will also be challenging and rewarding. While I'm not sure what that will be, I am grateful to ESPN for its willingness to allow me to pursue new endeavors."

Patrick's final radio show on Aug. 17 will focus on standout moments from his time hosting the afternoon program.

A "SportsCenter" anchor from 1989 to 2006, Patrick spanned a time when ESPN emerged as a multimedia sports content leviathan. With the nightly news and highlights show as a centerpiece, it served as the sports world's Central Square.

For a while, Patrick was memorably paired on the 11 p.m."SportsCenter" with Keith Olbermann, now at MSNBC. He has also hosted studio coverage for the NBA on ESPN and ABC, and written for ESPN's magazine.

Patrick worked at CNN before ESPN.