Chet Coppock

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Chet Coppock (born 1949) is an Emmy award-winning[1] radio broadcaster, television broadcaster and sports talk personality. Coppock currently works on GameDay, heard weekends on ESPN Radio 1000 AM in Chicago, Notre Dame pregame and postgame football onWLS Radio, and The Winning Edge on the Discovery Channel.

Contents

[edit] Radio and TV Broadcasting career

  • In 1966, at age 17, Coppock broadcasted football and basketball on WNTH radio, the school radio station at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL.
  • In 1970-1971, Coppock was hired to produce the Milwaukee Bucks radio network. The Bucks, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, captured an NBA title with a victory over Baltimore on Coppock's 22nd birthday - April 30, 1971.
  • Coppock hosted Sport Rap, a nightly Chicago TV talk show on WSNS TV, before eventually becoming a staff announcer with WFLD TV in Chicago. While at WFLD, Coppock developed a friendship with promoter Gerry Seltzer. The association soon led Coppock into a role as the national TV voice of the Roller Derby, a position he occupied for several years.
  • In the mid-1970s, Coppock held a six-year tenure as sports director at WISH TV (CBS) in Indianapolis. His anchor desk partners included Jane Pauley.
  • In 1981, Coppock returned to Chicago and joined WMAQ-TV for three years.
  • In 1984, while working as sports director at WMAQ radio, Coppock approached the station about creating an in-depth, interview-driven radio sports talk show. The move led to the creation of Coppock on Sports, a show in which Coppock spoke with athletes, coaches, GMs and media members in a longer, un-cut magazine format. The show's success spawned numerous imitators.
  • In 1986, Coppock served as ring announcer during the Chicago portion of WrestleMania 2. Coppock's other appearances for the World Wrestling Federation include his role as commentator alongside Gorilla Monsoon for RadioWWF at WrestleMania X and guest host of a special fashion show during WrestleMania 13 weekend.
  • In 1988, Coppock moved to WLUP in Chicago to continue Coppock on Sports and also host the pre-game, half-time and post-game shows for the Chicago Bulls radio network. In 1991, Coppock was on hand for another NBA championship moment when the Bulls and Michael Jordan captured their first of six NBA titles.
  • In the 1990s, Chet hosted Back Table, a popular interview show that was carried by Sportschannel/Fox Sports Net.
  • Coppock also co-hosted The Mike Ditka Radio Show as well as talk shows featuring NBA coaches Phil Jackson and Doug Collins.
  • In 1990-91 Coppock's seven-day work schedule also found him serving as the studio host for the NBA radio network.
  • In 1994, Coppock hosted NewSportTalk on Cablevision in New York.
  • In the late 90s, Coppock was heard on Fox Sports Net Chicago.
  • From August 2000 to February 2006, Coppock on Sports made a return to the airwaves on Sporting News Radio Network.

[edit] Community Involvement

  • Coppock has served as Chairman of Indiana Easter Seals and March of Dimes campaigns
  • Coppock has served as the Illinois chairman of the Smiles for Little City campaign
  • Coppock has worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Special Olympics
  • Scholarships have been given in Coppock's name by the Better Boys' Foundation and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Coppock has also served as emcee and master of ceremonies for recent Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame inductions in Chicago.

[edit] Commercial Work

Coppock has done commercial work for numerous clients including McDonalds, Wheaties, Chevrolet and P.F. Chang's china bistros.

[edit] Suspensions

WMVP suspended Coppock five shifts for an anti-Semitic remark during a February 2, 2008 broadcast. During his show, Coppock was asked, How do you spell 'Jewish'? and replied, M-O-N-E-Y. [2]

Coppock was previously suspended in the spring of 2007 for "dropping his pants in the presence of a female employee."[3]

[edit] News

On February 14, 2007, Coppock was attacked in the parking lot following a DePaul University basketball game in Rosemont, Illinois[4][5]. Jaime A. Waldron of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was found guilty of battery after pleading not guilty. Waldron was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and ordered to pay court costs.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ESPN 1000 Biography (2008-02-09). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  2. ^ Coppock suspended for anti-Semitic remark. Chicago Sun-Times (2008-02-09). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  3. ^ Coppock suspended for anti-Semitic remark. Chicago Sun-Times (2008-02-09). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  4. ^ Sportscaster Coppock Attacked Outside Basketball Game. WBBM Radio (2007-02-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  5. ^ Chicago Sportscaster Attacked At Basketball Game;. WBBM TV (2007-02-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  6. ^ Wolfley, Bob (2007-03-07). SPORTS DAY: Judge settles case. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.

[edit] External Links/Further Reading

http://www.chetcoppock.com