Harmon of Michigan Made a Difference

Every person in radio and television sports broadcasting is able to do a better job because of Tom Harmon. In 1958, he gathered together a group of sports announcers to end the second-class citizenship under which we worked. We had to wait outside press conference rooms after major sports events until the print media representatives had concluded their questioning of players and coaches. Then we were allowed to conduct a second press conference with fatigued athletes. Getting locations at many sports events found us pushed away from the center of action in favor of the print media.

That day we formed the Southern California Sports Broadcasters. Tom led the fight to get us nothing more than equal opportunities to cover sports events and press conferences. His name and his reputation, plus his announcing of sports events from coast to coast, gave him many opportunities to carry on the fight.

BILL WELSH

Chatsworth