1981 – Chris Schenkel

Born in Bippus, Indiana, on August 21, 1923, sportscasting legend Chris Schenkel had a 46 year career as a sportscaster. During his long career, Schenkel announced New York Football Giants games for thirteen years, was the voice of ABC’s NCAA college football for twelve years, covered Monday night fights for six years, called hundreds of horse races, covered nine summer and winter Olympics, broadcast the NBA for several seasons, covered almost every major golf and tennis championship, and announced Pro Bowling from 1962 till 1997. For his outstanding work as a broadcaster, Schenkel was named National Sportscaster of the Year four times. His other awards include the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television award; presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame; the Gold Plate Award, presented by the American Academy of Achievement; and a lifetime achievement Emmy. Schenkel died in 2005. He was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame on April 6, 1981.