Known by Hoosier fans everywhere, IU and Bloomington radio fixture Joe Smith has passed away.
Smith handled pre-game, halftime, and post-game radio duties for IU football and men’s basketball from1983 to 2023. He stayed through 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Don Fischer’s play-by-play career.
The news was confirmed by IU, and in a statement from his radio station in Bloomington.
“Joe touched people in the way great broadcasters do, by being there again and again and again. For almost 60 years Joe answered the bell in Bloomington, and never once cheated his listeners. He was a miracle of consistent professionalism and boundless joy,” the statement said.
“He never took being on the radio for granted, and embraced every opportunity to bring listeners into an event through his energy and precise description of every play.”
Smith was the sports director of WGCL-AM 1370 in Bloomington, now 98.7 The Zone. He was in his 57th overall year of radio broadcasting. 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.
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