Indiana University Radio Announcer Joe Smith to celebrate 40th and final season in booth
Longtime radio sportscaster and Bloomington staple Joe Smith announced on Wednesday, that the 2022 football campaign will be the 40th and final season of his distinguished career with Indiana Athletics. Smith has handled pre-game, halftime, and post-game duties for IU football and men’s basketball since 1983 alongside the Voice of the Hoosiers, Don Fischer, who will celebrate his 50th year on the Indiana airwaves in 2022.
“I would not miss Don’s 50th season for anything in the world,” Smith said in Press Release. “Nothing has made me happier than being a part of Indiana football and men’s basketball broadcasts with the best play-by-play man in the country. Don is a true friend and to share the booth with him one final year, well, it doesn’t get any better than that. IU has meant so much to me and my family, and I can’t wait to watch Coach Allen BUILD the Hoosiers back into a Top-25 program. I also want to thank Scott Dolson for his support and allowing me to close out my IU career on this incredible high note.”
Smith will transition into the host of the football post-game show and mentor a new broadcaster into the pre-game, halftime, and post-game role.
“Joe Smith has been an integral and versatile member of the IU Radio Network broadcast team for the better part of 40 years,” Fischer said in Press Relase. “At one time or another, Joe has served as the broadcast engineer, football spotter, statistician, and our pre-game, halftime, and post-game host through those four decades. He also sat in for me as the play-by-play voice for the Seawolf Classic in 1978 and took over late in a game when I developed laryngitis. His ability to step in and do whatever has been asked has made him invaluable to me and our staff. Joe’s transition into this new role is just another example of his multifaceted abilities.”
Smith is the sports director of WGCL-AM 1370 in Bloomington and is in his 53rd overall year of radio broadcasting in Bloomington. He began his career in 1969 at WAIK Radio in Galesburg, Ill. From 1973-89, Smith worked on “RFD4 Agri-Business Show” on WTTV-4 with the late Bob Cook. In 1998, Smith was named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year; in April 2003, he was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters/Sportscasters Hall of Fame; and in Aug. 2021, he was welcomed into the Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame. Smith handled the IU TV Warmup Shows from 1978-82 and hosted several IU Coaches Shows from 1983-96 and again from 2002-04.
He received the J.W. Bill Orwig Medal that goes to non-alumni for distinguished service to the University in June 2004. In March 2020, Smith was given the IU Bicentennial Medal by President Michael A. McRobbie, awarded to organizations and individuals who, through their personal, professional, artistic or philanthropic efforts, have broadened the reach of Indiana University around the state, nation, and world. He has two children, both of whom are Indiana University graduates. Jeff resides in Brownsburg, Ind., with his wife, Kristen, and their sons, Jayden, Kaleb, and Logan. Joe’s daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Eric, reside in Bloomington with their son, Ethan, and two daughters, Emerson and Carolina.
Smith will lead John Herrick in the transition into his former role. Herrick is currently a news anchor at 93.1 WIBC and Network Indiana in Indianapolis. A seasoned sports broadcaster and news reporter, he has been with Emmis Communications since 2017. Herrick broadcasts football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball games for the IHSAA Champions Radio and TV Network, the ISC Sports Network, ESPN+, and Ninestar TV. He has also filled in as the host of Indiana Sports Talk.
“Even though broadcasting has taken me to many places, it still brought me back to Indiana,” Herrick said in Press Release. “No matter where I have gone, I have always been a Hoosier. It is fitting, then, that I will be joining the IU broadcast team. I, like many others, grew up listening to Don Fischer and admiring his Hall of Fame work. Now I have the benefit of working alongside a legend and learning even more from Don throughout the football and basketball seasons. I look forward to bringing Hoosier Nation a broadcasting product it can be proud of.”
Indiana Fever fire Head Coach Marianne Stanley and name Carlos Knox Interim Coach
The Indiana Fever announced Wednesday that Marianne Stanley will no longer hold the head coaching position. Stanley, who was in the final year of her contract, is replaced by assistant coach Carlos Knox, who will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Fever were 2-7 and have lost the last five games. The Fever Lost at Chicago 95-90 Tuesday Evening. Stanley 18-49 with the Fever since was named the head coach after the 2019 season.
“With this new group of players, it is time for our organization to go in a different direction. This was a difficult decision, and we wish Marianne the very best in the future,” said Lin Dunn, Fever interim general manager in Press Release.
Stanley said in Press Release, “I want to thank the Simon family and the Fever organization for the opportunity to lead this team over the past two and a half years. I look forward to the next chapter in my basketball journey, as well as being able to spend more time with my family.”
The Fever’s next home game is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Two Indiana Track & Field athletes advance to NCAA Championships after day 1 Of NCAA East Preliminary Meet
Two Indiana University Men’s Track and Field Athletes have booked their trips to the NCAA Championships in Eugene Oregon after finishing in the top 12 in their respective events after the first day 1 of the NCAA Preliminary East Track and Field meet at the Robert C Haugh Track and Field Complex on the Indiana University Campus. Freshman Camden Marshall from Corydon Indiana finished 10th in the 800 Meters. Freshman Sean Mockler from Ireland finished 12th in Hammer Throw.
Shaton Vaughn finished 15th in the 400 Meter Hurdles, Antonio Laidler finished 24th and Rikkoi Brathwaite finished 45th in the 100 Meters, Adam Coulon finished 14th, Tyler Carrel finished Tied for 15th and Nathan Stone did not have a height in the Pole Vault. Adam Strouf finished 42ndt in the Shot Put and they will not advance to the NCAA Championship meet in June.
With weather affecting the day 1 schedule. The NCAA has adjusted the 2022 East Preliminary Round schedule for today due to weather in the Bloomington area. The women’s hammer throw, and javelin will remain as scheduled. The hammer is set for 10 a.m. while they will contend the javelin at 2 p.m. All other events will be moved up four hours.
Updated Schedule
Women’s 110m Hurdles (First Round) – 2 p.m. Women’s 1500m (First Round) – 2:30 p.m. Women’s 100m (First Round) – 3 p.m.
Women’s 400m (First Round) – 3:25 p.m. Women’s 800m (First Round) – 3:50 p.m. Women’s 400m Hurdles (First Round) – 4:20 p.m. Women’s 200m (First Round) – 4:45 p.m. Women’s 10000m (First Round) – 5:10 p.m. Women’s Hammer Throw (First Round) – 10 a.m. Women’s Javelin (First Round) – 2 p.m. Women’s Long Jump (First Round) – 2 p.m. Women’s Pole Vault (First Round) – 2:30 p.m. Women’s Shot Put (First Round) – 5 p.m.
Bloomington North wins Girls Track & Field regional
Bloomington North Won the Girls Track and Field Regional on home turf Tuesday night scoring 98.5 points. Charlestown was second with 59 points followed by Terre Haute South in 3rd with 48 and Northview in fourth place with 42. Bloomington South, Edgewood and West Vigo all tied for fifth place with 40 points. It’s the 9th Regional Title for the Cougars and first since 2019.
Bloomington North had six champions with Nola Somers Glen won the 800 meters, Bea Cakmak won the 1,600 meters, Kyla Kante won the 100-meter hurdles, Ella Francis won the 300-meter hurdles, Hadley Lucas won the Shot Put and the Discus
Lilly Meyers of Bloomington South won the 3,200 meters and Ashley Abram of Edgewood won the Pole Vault. The State Finals will be held Friday June 3, at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on the Indiana University Campus.
Indianapolis Indians Coverage
Indians Take Game 1 Of Doubleheader
The Indianapolis Indians took care of the Saint Paul Saints 16-10 in game 1 of a doubleheader at CHS Field Wednesday Night. The Indians pounded out 15 hits and had 2 errors. The Indians had eight runs in the fourth inning and five runs in the seventh inning. Saint Paul scored four runs in the fourth inning and scored 6 runs in the 7th inning. Saint Paul won the second game 5-3. The Indians and Saints will play at 8:07pm this evening.
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