Hall of Fame
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Charles T. Wells (aka 'Dear Old Dad') Apparently the Sports Gene is
passed down from father to son. I got my first taste of competition at the age
of six as the crew of my fathers Hobie Cat sailboat. We toured the Midwest
for about 10 years, not only as a family, but as teammates which is a very
unique perspective for a six-year-old to have of his father. As the eldest of
three boys, my father had to learn with me as I began participating in youth
sports such as Little League, Youth Basketball, Wrestling and Football. He
was always the dad that stayed around to help with the coaches and began
volunteering as an umpire when I was 8. Since he was learning the youth
sports system alongside me, he never coached my teams but was always
available with sage advice such as: "HUSTLE!" "Always stand by the coach
when you're not playing, you'll get in more." (Boy did THAT one work!) "Work
on your fundamentals - that's the foundation." And last but not least - "It's a
game, have Fun!" As I look back, I can see that the words of wisdom were
not meant for the playing field only... seems like, "Thanks, Dad" just doesn't
say it enough. Dad has been on the Hobart Little League Board of Directors
for nearly 30 years and is an active District Umpire.
passed down from father to son. I got my first taste of competition at the age
of six as the crew of my fathers Hobie Cat sailboat. We toured the Midwest
for about 10 years, not only as a family, but as teammates which is a very
unique perspective for a six-year-old to have of his father. As the eldest of
three boys, my father had to learn with me as I began participating in youth
sports such as Little League, Youth Basketball, Wrestling and Football. He
was always the dad that stayed around to help with the coaches and began
volunteering as an umpire when I was 8. Since he was learning the youth
sports system alongside me, he never coached my teams but was always
available with sage advice such as: "HUSTLE!" "Always stand by the coach
when you're not playing, you'll get in more." (Boy did THAT one work!) "Work
on your fundamentals - that's the foundation." And last but not least - "It's a
game, have Fun!" As I look back, I can see that the words of wisdom were
not meant for the playing field only... seems like, "Thanks, Dad" just doesn't
say it enough. Dad has been on the Hobart Little League Board of Directors
for nearly 30 years and is an active District Umpire.
Don Howell Hobart Football Head Coach. I'll list the stats below so
those not familiar with the Hobart Brickie's winning traditions of the 1970's,
80's and 90's can get up to speed, but the main point I'd like to get out about
Coach Howell is the man behind the stats. When I was in fourth grade,
Coach Howell and several of the Hobart Varsity Football players came to our
school as part of a travelling pep rally when the Brickies were fighting for one
of their first state championships. Hearing the coach talk with such passion
about the pride associated with doing your best, in life not just in football,
really hit home with a lot of youngsters. From then on, we all wanted to be
Brickies when we grew up. We knew our high school team better than most
people knew their favorite pro or college teams.
Off season weight room sessions, independent 7 on 7 workouts, and
three-a-day practice session in the hot August sun... becoming a Brickie was
a labor of love. Coach Howell made you want to be the best you could be,
and you expected only the best of yourself.
those not familiar with the Hobart Brickie's winning traditions of the 1970's,
80's and 90's can get up to speed, but the main point I'd like to get out about
Coach Howell is the man behind the stats. When I was in fourth grade,
Coach Howell and several of the Hobart Varsity Football players came to our
school as part of a travelling pep rally when the Brickies were fighting for one
of their first state championships. Hearing the coach talk with such passion
about the pride associated with doing your best, in life not just in football,
really hit home with a lot of youngsters. From then on, we all wanted to be
Brickies when we grew up. We knew our high school team better than most
people knew their favorite pro or college teams.
Off season weight room sessions, independent 7 on 7 workouts, and
three-a-day practice session in the hot August sun... becoming a Brickie was
a labor of love. Coach Howell made you want to be the best you could be,
and you expected only the best of yourself.
Hobart High School Football Coaching Staff. Simply said, this
team of coaches did it right. Since we expected nothing but the best from
ourselves, I never realized how good they were until I moved on to collegiate,
professional sports and the public sector to witness some very bad
management programs. I guess I was spoiled by perfection at an early age.
team of coaches did it right. Since we expected nothing but the best from
ourselves, I never realized how good they were until I moved on to collegiate,
professional sports and the public sector to witness some very bad
management programs. I guess I was spoiled by perfection at an early age.
Hobart High School Varsity Football Team, Class of 1988. My
senior class won the 68th consecutive home game for the Hobart football
program, en route to recording the schools first truly undefeated season and
the first state championship. Although multiple knee problems and
surgeries ended my career before my senior season. Coaches and players
alike still considered me as part of the team. Truly a class group of people.
senior class won the 68th consecutive home game for the Hobart football
program, en route to recording the schools first truly undefeated season and
the first state championship. Although multiple knee problems and
surgeries ended my career before my senior season. Coaches and players
alike still considered me as part of the team. Truly a class group of people.
| There's a group of people that volunteer or coach at the lower levels of sport just for the fun of it or just to help out the kids who want to play. Although the job may seem thankless at times, I bet they just don't realize the impact that they have on young peoples lives. Totally by memory, here are some of the coaches that were a part of my sports career at different times that I feel truly made a difference. Al Cox - Eli Ford - Jerry Lough - Jim Stolarz - George Pleasac |
| One of the cool things about announcing local sports is that occasionally, some of our stars move up to the professional ranks and can even become a household name. Here are some of the Announcer Joe alumni that moved up to larger venues. |
Jeff Gordon - NASCAR Driver
I first interviewed Jeff when he was
"just a kid" - recently hired to drive a
USAC Midget for Raleigh Helmling on
ESPN's Thursday Night Thunder series
I first interviewed Jeff when he was
"just a kid" - recently hired to drive a
USAC Midget for Raleigh Helmling on
ESPN's Thursday Night Thunder series
Larry Bigbie - MLB
I've umpired for Larry several times...
when he played at Hobart Little
League! I also broadcast him at
Hobart High School while working at US
Cable of Northern Indiana.
I've umpired for Larry several times...
when he played at Hobart Little
League! I also broadcast him at
Hobart High School while working at US
Cable of Northern Indiana.
Rob Mackowiak - MLB
I originally called both radio and
television play-by-play for Rob when
he was an Indian at Lake Central High
School in St. John, Indiana.
I originally called both radio and
television play-by-play for Rob when
he was an Indian at Lake Central High
School in St. John, Indiana.
Eugene Wilson - NFL
As a four year starter in both football
and basketball at Merrillville High
School, some people were quick to say
that he was too small to play football
past high school. His Super Bowl ring
says otherwise. Way to go Eugene!
As a four year starter in both football
and basketball at Merrillville High
School, some people were quick to say
that he was too small to play football
past high school. His Super Bowl ring
says otherwise. Way to go Eugene!
Kelly Komara - Purdue University
Kelly is another all star athlete from
Lake Central High School. Graduating
in 2006 from Purdue, Da Region waits
to see what her next move is. WNBA?
Kelly is another all star athlete from
Lake Central High School. Graduating
in 2006 from Purdue, Da Region waits
to see what her next move is. WNBA?
Glenn Robinson - NBA
The Big Dog was the big man on Gary
Roosevelt High School's campus when
I first started calling radio and
television play-by-play in NW Indiana
The Big Dog was the big man on Gary
Roosevelt High School's campus when
I first started calling radio and
television play-by-play in NW Indiana
