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Joe Wilson (sportscaster)

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Joseph S. Wilson (May 7, 1911 – October 20, 1983) was an American sports announcer from Chicago known for his coverage of bowling.

Career

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Wilson was born on May 7, 1911, in Eveleth, Minnesota. He graduated from Northwestern University and began his broadcasting career at a radio station in Virginia, Minnesota. His first play-by-play experience came when the station had him call a hockey game.[1] In 1941, he moved to Cleveland, where he called Cleveland Rams and Cleveland Barons.[2] In 1943, he became sports director of the Blue Network's (later the American Broadcasting Company) central division.[2] During this time, Wilson served as a color commentator alongside Harry Wismer for the network's college football broadcasts.[3]

In 1944, Wilson appeared on a number of experimental broadcasts on WBKB-TV.[4] In 1948, Wilson left ABC to work for WBKB full-time.[5] He called a number of sports for the station, including Chicago Cubs baseball, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, harness racing from Maywood Park, college football and basketball, boxing, golf, pool, and midget car racing.[3][6] He also co-hosted a game show, anchored newscasts, and acted in televised plays.[7][8][9] In 1949, he called college football games nationally for the DuMont Television Network.[10]

Wilson moved to WMAQ-TV in 1952 and the following year began hosting the station's bowling program. He was the play-by-play announcer for a number of NBC's nationally aired bowling programs, including 1956's National Championship Bowling, as well as the syndicated Bowling Stars.[1][4][11][12]

In 1952 and 1959, Wilson was a play-by-play announcer for Mutual Broadcasting System's Game of the Day baseball broadcasts.[13][14]

In 1968, Wilson joined the Oakland Seals of the National Hockey League as director of publicity and promotion.[2]

Wilson died on October 20, 1983, in Geneva, Illinois.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Grasso, John; Hartman, Eric R. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Bowling. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 327. ISBN 978-0-8108-8022-1. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Wilson New Seals' Publicity Chief". The Hockey News. October 26, 1968.
  3. ^ a b Looking Ahead with Television (PDF). Chicago: WBKB. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Misurell, Ed (September 2, 1956). "TV's Whispering Sportscaster". The Reading Eagle. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Two ADRA Members Lay Claims Vs. ABC And Radio Features". Billboard. November 20, 1948. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "TV Moves The 8-Ball". The Vancouver Sun. September 21, 1957. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Telequizicalls". Billboard. November 23, 1946. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Reviews". Billboard. September 2, 1944. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Reviews". Billboard. August 18, 1945. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Saturday Radio, Television Games". The Free Lance-Star. October 28, 1949. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Sports on Television". The Free Lance-Star. January 16, 1959. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Sunday on Six". Lewiston Evening Journal. September 26, 1959. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  13. ^ Ward, Arch (March 1, 1952). "Champs Seek 11th Victory in Title Drive". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  14. ^ "WNDB To Air Major League Ball Games". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. April 9, 1959. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
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