Boiler football announcer to speak at local dinner

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Purdue football play-by-play radio announcer and sports broadcaster Joe McConnell will be the featured speaker for a dinner meeting with the Purdue Club of Putnam County on Tuesday, March 13.

The dinner will take place at Autumn Glen at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

McConnell's radio career began in 1962 with three years at Purdue's campus radio station, WBAA, followed by two years as assistant sports information director.

For more than four decades, McConnell has been involved in sports broadcasting and is one of the few who have been lead announcers for teams in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.

From 1980-84, he announced Chicago White Sox baseball with notables as Harry Caray and Early Wynn.

His baseball career also included a two-year stont with the Minnesota Twins.

In the NFL, McConnell has announced for the Denver Broncos (1969), Minnesota Vikings (1971-76 and 1985-87), Chicago Bears (1977-84), Indianapolis Colts (1992-94) and Tennessee Oilers (1997-98).

He has also broadcast three Super Bowls.

McConnell's experience includes seven seasons in the NBA as the voice of the Phoenix Suns (1970-72) and the Indiana Pacers (1972-77).

He also spent five seasons as the lead announcer for the NBA's National Game of the Week.

Having just finished his 12th season as the play-by-play announcer for Purdue football, McConnell has also broadcast college football at Northwestern, Indiana State, DePauw, Illinois and Notre Dame.

The Purdue Club invites the public to the dinner to hear about sports in general and Purdue sports as well from McConnell.

Reservations for the dinner cost $15.

To purchase a reservation or for more information, call Marianne Ash at 386-7554 or Judy Miller at 653-1365 by Tuesday, March 6.

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