Sportscaster Chris Schenkel dies
deb...@comcast.net
Star report
Chris Schenkel, an Indiana icon and one of the founding fathers of
sports broadcast journalism, died early today at Lutheran Hospital in
Fort Wayne, Ind., after a long battle with emphysema. He was 82.
Schenkel's radio and television broadcasting career spanned more than
60 years and included virtually every major sports competition.
Known for his honey-smooth baritone voice, he was the first to cover
the Masters Tournament on television, in 1956; the first to call a
college football game coast to coast on ABC; and the first to serve as
live sports anchor from the Olympics, in Mexico City in 1968.
Other highlights include calling gymnast Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 at
the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and calling the 1958 NFL Championship
game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, considered by
many the greatest football game ever played. He was also the longtime
voice of the Professional Bowlers Association.
Schenkel also had a long association with the Indianapolis 500,
including a scary moment. Schenkel, astronaut John Glenn and Tony
Hulman, the late owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, were passengers
in the Dodge Challenger pace car at the 1971 race when it skidded into
a bleacher section full of photographers. Twenty-two people were
injured, including Schenkel.
Schenkel was born Aug. 21, 1923, on a farm in Wabash County, one of six
children. His parents, second generation German immigrants, managed a
grain and feed business.
He attended Bippus High School in Huntington County and later Purdue
University.
He fought in World War II in the Philippines, then Korea, as an
infantry platoon leader. He came home to find a radio job in Richmond,
Ind., then moved into television in Providence, R.I.
In 1947, he assumed television play-by-play duties for Harvard
University football. Five years later, he began a 13-year run as the TV
voice of the New York Giants.
His many honors include honorary doctorate degrees from Purdue, Ball
State and Rose-Hulman Institute. He has been inducted into 16 halls of
fame, including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters and
College and Pro Football halls, and he won an Emmy Award for Lifetime
Achievement in 1993.
Recently 50 letters were sent to President Bush nominating Schenkel for
the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among those sending letters were
Indiana senator Richard Lugar, former Indiana senator Birch Bayh, New
York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar
Hunt, former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight and golfing
legend Byron Nelson.
Last summer longtime broadcasting partner Jim McKay said, "Chris is one
of the friendliest, nicest people you would meet anywhere. He likes
people. He loves people. He's very forgiving about people even if
anything happens in a bad way."
Schenkel is survived by his wife, Fran, sons Ted and John, daughter
Tina, and several grandchildren.
R H Draney
>
>Chris Schenkel, an Indiana icon and one of the founding fathers of
>sports broadcast journalism, died early today at Lutheran Hospital in
>Fort Wayne, Ind., after a long battle with emphysema. He was 82.
>
>Schenkel's radio and television broadcasting career spanned more than
>60 years and included virtually every major sports competition.
>
>Known for his honey-smooth baritone voice, he was the first to cover
>the Masters Tournament on television, in 1956; the first to call a
>college football game coast to coast on ABC; and the first to serve as
>live sports anchor from the Olympics, in Mexico City in 1968.
It was during this last that, perhaps affected by the rarefied air at the
Olympic site, Schenkel somehow managed to forget his own name during a
broadcast....r
Tregembo
"R H Draney" <dado...@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:dg1o...@drn.newsguy.com...
My favorite Schenkel story deals with an NFL broadcast. And because it's
about 40 years old I may not get it exactly correct, please Terry, feel free
to criticize me for embellishing. Chris is calling play-by-play of a N Y
Giants game in the '60's, probably on radio but maybe TV. Y. A. Tittle
hands off to Tucker Frederickson who proceeds to evade several defensive
players. Schenkel says something like, "Frederickson dodges "Smith," he
fakes out "Jones," "Mason" misses him and here comes "Brown." He fakes
once, he fakes twice. He faked him out of his jock!"
The broadcast goes quiet for several seconds with just stadium noise in the
background, then to a commercial, then back to Schenkel who gives the new
score after the touchdown and extra point that took place during the
previous silence. And the broadcast continued in a somewhat subdued manner.
Ray Arthur
Bob Feigel
proffered:
>Hoosier sportscaster Schenkel dies
>
I was with a small group of young people who was introduced to Mr
Schenkel many moons ago and he spent a few moments chatting and making
each of us feel special before we were abruptly interrupted by the
college president - who literally led him away by the arm to meet
someone more important. As we were getting ready to leave the
reception to the VIP's, Mr Schenkel made the effort to stop by our
group again to say how nice it was to meet us and to apologise for
having left in such a hurry. He was a genuinely nice guy and I'm sorry
to learn of his passing. Requiescat in pace.
"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
King Daevid MacKenzie
> One of my favorite football bloopers was on Kermit Schaefer's recording
> and books on a runner racing down the field: "LOOK at that son-of-a-bitch
> run!"
...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
"for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
--
--
King Daevid MacKenzie, WLSU-FM 88.9 La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
heard again soon at http://whiterosesociety.org
"Rarely can we applaud the majority." JAMES NEIBAUR
mpoco...@aol.com
appeared that either Schenkel or Howard Cosell or Keith Jackson covered
every single sporting event associated with ABC in those years.
Schenkel was often relegated to the less than glamourous sports like
bowling and figure skating.
Brad Ferguson
<echoes...@charter.net> wrote:
> Rob Petrie sez:
>
> > One of my favorite football bloopers was on Kermit Schaefer's recording
> > and books on a runner racing down the field: "LOOK at that son-of-a-bitch
> > run!"
>
> ...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
> were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
> his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
> "for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
--
FREE JUDITH MILLER
Kathi
<mpoco...@aol.com> wrote:
When I heard of his death, I a) couldn't believe he was 82 (I was
thinking more like 70ish), and b) immediately thought of bowling. Then
the other sports came to mind, as I "heard" him again, but bowling was
the first thing I thought of.
Kathi
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King Daevid MacKenzie
>>>> One of my favorite football bloopers was on Kermit Schaefer's
>>>>recording
>>>>and books on a runner racing down the field: "LOOK at that
>>>>son-of-a-bitch
>>>>run!"
>>>
>>>...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
>>>were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
>>>his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
>>>"for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
>>
>>
>>In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
>
>
> Can you prove no announcer ever said that on the air during a football
> game?
...can you name one that has?...
King Daevid MacKenzie
>>The only legitimate item from his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of
>>an August Brothers bakery ad "for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
>
>
> You SURE it wasn't somebody impersonating Larry King's voice in a
> fakery of that commercial?
...King 'fessed up to it early on in the run of his overnight radio
show, and once even did a bit explaining the circumstances under which
it happened...
James Neibaur
>> ...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
>> were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
>> his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
>> "for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
>
>
> In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
Kermit Schaefer's stuff is nearly all bogus. However, I knew Harry Von
Zell, and can assure you the Hoobert Heever thing did happen (but not an
inaugural address as has been stated). As you state, "look at that
sonofabitch run" is a fabrication, as is Uncle Don saying "that oughta hold
the little bastards."
There are many that people insist that they saw or heard. The classic "cram
it Bozo" on Chicago TV is a favorite of mine -- refuted in the great book
Chicago Children's Television by Ted Okuda and Jack Mulqueen. Another is
the one about Groucho saying to a father of many children who stated his
large brood was because he loved his wife, "I love my cigar too, but I take
it out of my mouth once in a while." Many insist they saw or heard that
one. It never aired.
JN
Brad Ferguson
<jnei...@wi.rr.com> wrote:
> Brad Ferguson 9/11/05 6:23 PM
>
> >> ...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
> >> were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
> >> his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
> >> "for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
> >
> >
> > In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
>
> Kermit Schaefer's stuff is nearly all bogus. However, I knew Harry Von
> Zell, and can assure you the Hoobert Heever thing did happen (but not an
> inaugural address as has been stated). As you state, "look at that
> sonofabitch run" is a fabrication, as is Uncle Don saying "that oughta hold
> the little bastards."
I've seen von Zell angrily deny (to Tom Snyder) that he ever said
"Hoobert Heaver" at all, which is not to say that you yourself don't
have the straight story. Certainly the person on the Schafer record
who's supposed to be von Zell at the 1929 inaugural is not he.
--
FREE JUDITH MILLER
James Neibaur
> I've seen von Zell angrily deny (to Tom Snyder) that he ever said
> "Hoobert Heaver" at all, which is not to say that you yourself don't
> have the straight story. Certainly the person on the Schafer record
> who's supposed to be von Zell at the 1929 inaugural is not he.
Correct, it certainly is not he on the record.
Von Zell told me that it was a birthday celebration for Hoover and after
listing his accomplishments, stumbled over the name. He said he was quite
young, and thought his career was over. Of course, it survived.
Harry did deny it to Snyder (and others) for years, because it was really
nothing and would have faded into obscurity had Kermit Schaefer not offered
a fake situation in a completely different context on his record. Now it is
hard to get people to believe it never happened because they "heard it for
themselves" via the Schaefer recording.
JN
King Daevid MacKenzie
>>>>...unfortunately, the vast majority of Schaefer's "blooper" material
>>>>were bogus fabrications of urban myths. The only legitimate item from
>>>>his Volume One was a flub Larry King did of an August Brothers bakery ad
>>>>"for the breast bread and rolls" in Miami...
>>>
>>>
>>>In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
>>
>>Kermit Schaefer's stuff is nearly all bogus. However, I knew Harry Von
>>Zell, and can assure you the Hoobert Heever thing did happen (but not an
>>inaugural address as has been stated). As you state, "look at that
>>sonofabitch run" is a fabrication, as is Uncle Don saying "that oughta
>>hold
>>the little bastards."
>
>
> Uncle Don never said that? Whether on or off-the-air?
> Aw, that was a great line!
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/radio/uncledon.htm
...although you can hear me say it towards the end of the mp3 at
http://tinyurl.com/ahtmo -- just because Don didn't use it doesn't mean
I can't ;-) ...
Joe Pucillo
> "Brad Ferguson" wrote...
> > In particular, "Look at that son of a bitch run!" never happened.
> Can you prove no announcer ever said that on the air during a football
> game?
Nope. And Brad spelled "little monkey" wrong.
JP
Joe Pucillo
> When I heard of his death, I a) couldn't believe he was 82 (I was
> thinking more like 70ish), and b) immediately thought of bowling. Then
> the other sports came to mind, as I "heard" him again, but bowling was
> the first thing I thought of.
That was my first thought, too. I remember him having a great
rapport with his co-host, Nelson Burton, Jr. during those ABC
telecasts in the 80s.
One week, he did it alone because Burton made the cut and
finished fifth during the round-robin, and was going to be
bowling on Saturday. Burton rolled an outrageous score (1100?)
to win the tourney, and you could really see and hear the pride
in Schenkel's demeanor that day.
JP
Kathi
wrote:
Thanks for the book plug, James. My dad's a "Chicago boy" and now I
know what to get him for Christmas. I remember quite a few of those
old shows from my childhood, also. And for the rest:
About the Author
Ted Okuda
Ted Okuda is a Chicago-based film historian whose previous
books include The Columbia Comedy Shorts, The Jerry Lewis Films
(coauthored with James L. Neibaur), The Monogram Checklist, and The
Soundies Distributing Corporation of America (coauthored with Scott
MacGillivray). His articles and interviews have appeared in a variety
of media-themed publications, including Filmfax, Cult Movies, Classic
Images, Outré, and Classic Film Collector.
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James Neibaur
> But Groucho did say it in a YBYL episode, but that episode did not make
> it to the air. Is not that the entire true story?
no
Corby Gilmore
Ordinarily I would say lock; however, with the broadcast being just 6
days away it's quite possible that the segment is already "locked in", and
not changeable. If he doesnt make it this time, I would say lock for 2006.
--
Corby Gilmore
co...@ncf.ca
Loki
>x-no-archive: yes
>
>"Corby Gilmore" <ai...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
>news:dg51uc$4o0$1...@theodyn.ncf.ca...
> That would be a shame if the EMMY's couldn't squeeze in Chris Schenkel.
The sad reality is though that they are limited in who they can allot
space for and if they give one to Chris (who I remember best for-and
maybe it was only in California, doing commercials for bottlers
holding up bottles of presumably beer with tables reading "The good
taste of beer in a bottle"), they have to take someone else off the
list.
Corby has put together a pretty solid list of candidates. Which of
them would you remove to make room for Chris Schenkel?
Loki
If you want to show support to our troops,
you can get some ideas of how to do so at:
http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm
I encourage everyone to check it out,
respond from the heart, and pass it
along to anyone you think may want
to remember our troops throughout the year.
Corby Gilmore
"Rob Petrie" (r...@att.net) writes:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> "Loki" <cubby...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:qggci1l4angfv0lan...@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 13 Sep 2005 02:10:25 GMT, "Rob Petrie" <r...@att.net> wrote:
>>
>>>x-no-archive: yes
>>>
>>>"Corby Gilmore" <ai...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
>>>news:dg51uc$4o0$1...@theodyn.ncf.ca...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ordinarily I would say lock; however, with the broadcast being just 6
>>>> days away it's quite possible that the segment is already "locked in",
>>>> and
>>>> not changeable. If he doesnt make it this time, I would say lock for
>>>> 2006.
>>>> --
>>>> Corby Gilmore
>>>> co...@ncf.ca
>>>
>>> That would be a shame if the EMMY's couldn't squeeze in Chris
>>> Schenkel.
>>
>> The sad reality is though that they are limited in who they can allot
>> space for and if they give one to Chris (who I remember best for-and
>> maybe it was only in California, doing commercials for bottlers
>> holding up bottles of presumably beer with tables reading "The good
>> taste of beer in a bottle"), they have to take someone else off the
>> list.
>>
>> Corby has put together a pretty solid list of candidates. Which of
>> them would you remove to make room for Chris Schenkel?
>
> to take off to make room for Chris Schenkel.
Here you go, sir. The list is back to 36 names; by popular demand I
reinstated Teresa Wright. It's hard to cut an Emmy-winner, so if I had to
cut somebody it would most likely be one of Sandra Dee, Debralee Scott or
Leon Askin,
SPECIAL SEGMENT:
Johnny Carson (TV comedy legend)
CONTENDERS:
Rodney Dangerfield (Actor/Comedian)
Christopher Reeve (Actor/Superman)
Janet Leigh (Actress)
Eddie Albert (Actor)
Bob Denver (Actor)
Howard Keel (Actor/Singer)
Jerry Orbach (Actor)
Anne Bancroft (Actress)
Greg Garrison (Director/Producer)
Frank Gorshin (Actor)
James Doohan (Actor)
Ossie Davis (Actor)
Paul Henning (Writer/Producer)
Dana Elcar (Actor)
Mason Adams (Actor)
Howard Morris (Actor/Director)
John Fiedler (Actor)
Paul Winchell (Actor/Ventriloquist)
Pat McCormick (Actor/Writer)
Barbara Bel Geddes (Actress)
Peter Jennings (Newscaster)
Brock Peters (Actor)
Ruth Warrick (Actress)
Teresa Wright (Actress)
Herb Sargent (Writer/Producer)
Gary Belkin (Emmy-winning writer)
Sandra Dee (Actress)
Joseph Dervin Sr (Emmy-winning Film Editor)
Norman Prescott (Emmy-winning Producer)
Pierre Salinger (Newscaster)
Al Wasserman (Producer/Documentarist)
Debralee Scott (Actress)
Leon Askin (Actor)
Meta Rosenberg (Emmy-winning executive producer)
Paul Manning (Emmy-winning writer/producer)
Bill Loeffler (Emmy-winning Filmmaker/Documentarist)
--
Corby Gilmore
co...@ncf.ca
James Neibaur
> It's hard to cut an Emmy-winner, so if I had to
>> cut somebody it would most likely be one of Sandra Dee, Debralee Scott or
>> Leon Askin,
>
> [Thanks, Corby!]
>
> Those last 3 mentioned would certainly be on my list of possible cuts!
> Except for maybe Ms. Dee, what did they really accomplish in
> long-lasting influence or memorable characters ('Hotzie-Totsie' doesn't
> count for Debralee Scott!)?
Leon Askin had a recurring role as General Birkholder (sp?) on Hogan's
Heroes, a hit series. That is at least as important as Frank Gorshin's
inclusion. Of course both should be included, as should Schenkel.
JN
Kathi
wrote:
>
>
>
> Ordinarily I would say lock; however, with the broadcast being just 6
>days away it's quite possible that the segment is already "locked in", and
>not changeable. If he doesnt make it this time, I would say lock for 2006.
He made it this year, as did Bob Denver, but Theresa Wright, Kevin
Hagen, Dan O'Herlihy and your other (sorry I forgot) bumped-off
contender did not.
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Bill Schenley
Schenkel received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy ... and he was
Sportscaster of the Year at least three times.
He would have had to die less than an hour before the show ... not to
be included.
Schenkel broadcast football (NFL and college), basketball, Little
League baseball, golf, tennis, Indy racing, horse racing, bowling, the
Olympics (summer and winter), boxing ... and probably some I can't
remember.
They would'a cut Bob Denver before they omitted Chris Schenkel.