Chet Coppock

Chet Coppock is an American radio broadcaster, television broadcaster, sports talk personality and author based in Chicago. He is preparing to publish his fourth book in Fall 2017. Coppock currently hosts the Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series,^[1] and emcees corporate sponsorship events for the Blackhawks featuring former NHL stars such as Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard. He is an occasional contributor to the Rant and Rave segment on FOX 32 Chicago (WFLD) with Lou Canellis. In 2013, Coppock was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and honored with the Jack Brickhouse Lifetime Achievement Award.^[2]

Coppock has published three books to date: Fat Guys shouldn't be Dancin' at Half Time (Triumph Books, 2009),^[3] Chet Coppock: Laying it On the Line (Self published, 2014),^[4] and Buffone: Monster of the Midway: My 50 Years with the Chicago Bears (Triumph Books, 2015).^[5] Coppock is currently a spokesperson for American Taxi^[6] and has done commercial work in the past for clients including McDonald's, Wheaties, Chevrolet and P.F. Chang’s china bistros—appearing with Chicago sports legends Michael Jordan and Walter Payton.

Biography

Radio and TV Broadcasting career

• In 1966, at age 17, Coppock broadcast football and basketball on WNTH radio, the school radio station at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL.
• Coppock is listed among notable alumni to graduate from New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL.^[7]

1970s

• 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 then CBS-affiliate WISH-TV (now a CW affiliate) in Indianapolis. His anchor desk partners included Jane Pauley.

1980s

• In 1981, Coppock returned to Chicago and joined WMAQ-TV for three years. In 1981, he was awarded a UPI Award in the category of Illinois Broadcasting and Best Sports.
• 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.^[8] Coppock's other appearances for the World Wrestling Federation include his role as commentator alongside Gorilla Monsoon for RadioWWF at WrestleMania X.^[9] He also promoted wrestling events featuring such competitors as Verne Gagne, Baron von Raschke, and Dick the Bruiser. Some of these shows were held at Chicago's Comiskey Park.^[10]
• 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.

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 1990–1991 Coppock's seven-day work schedule also found him serving as the studio host for the NBA radio network.
• In 1992, Coppock received a Chicago/Midwest Area Emmy Award for his work on Chicago Bears Weekly.
• In 1994, Coppock hosted NewSportTalk on Cablevision in New York.
• In 1994, Coppock was one of sixty notable Chicagoans featured in the book Great Chicago Stories: Portraits and Stories by Sam Landers.^[11]
• In the late 90s, Coppock was heard on Fox Sports Net Chicago.
• In the late 90s, Coppock was heard on WMAQ 670 AM Chicago.
• In 1999, Coppock received the Peter Lisagor Award for Journalistic Excellence.

2000s

• From August 2000 to February 2006, Coppock on Sports made a return to the airwaves on Sporting News Radio.
• In 2006-2015, Coppock hosted Notre Dame football and basketball pregame and postgame shows on WLS Radio.^[12]
• In 2009, Coppock launched the Coppock On Sports podcast, featured in the podcast section of Apple's iTunes store. The podcast features regular appearances from ESPN Legal Analyst Lester Munson, and former MLB 31-game winner Denny McClain.^[13]
• In 2009, Coppock penned the Coppock On Sports blog, covering Chicago sports for www.ChicagoNow.com.^[14]

• In 2009, Coppock published his first book titled, Fat Guys Shouldn't be Dancin' at Halftime, published by Triumph Books.^[15]

2010s

• Coppock hosted The Winning Edge on the Discovery Channel.
• In 2011, Coppock appeared as a featured content contributor for the Heritage Series on the Chicago Blackhawks website,^[16] and continues to occasionally emcee Blackhawks events.
• In 2011, Coppock launched DailyCoppock.com with business partner Michael Romano.^[17] DailyCoppock.com features Coppock's video blogs, Coppock's magazine-style video interviews with sports headliners, and Coppock's written blogs on sports and culture.
• In 2013, Coppock was named the recipient of the "Jack Brickhouse Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.^[18]
• Coppock is an occasional contributor to the "Rant and Rave" segment on FOX 32 Chicago (WFLD) with anchor Lou Canellis.
• As part of his work with the Blackhawks' Heritage Series, Coppock makes frequent appearances with Hawks legends Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard.
• In 2014, Coppock published his second book titled, Chet Coppock: Laying it on the Line, self-published.^[19]
• Coppock performed with Taj Gbison of the Chicago Bulls on series of auto dealer spots^[20]
• In 2015, Coppock published his third book titled Buffone: Monster of the Midway: My 50 Years with the Chicago Bears, published by Triumph Books.^[21]
• In Fall 2017, Coppock plans to publish his 4th book.

Movie career

• In 2007, Coppock served as a football consultant and had an on camera role in the motion picture "The Express" starring Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown.^[22] The film was released in October 2008.

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.
• Coppock has been a strong supporter of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago and has emceed numerous banquets and charity events for the organization since 1982.

Commercial work

Coppock has done commercial work for numerous clients including McDonald's, Wheaties, Chevrolet, and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.

News

On February 14, 2007, Coppock was attacked in the parking lot following a DePaul University basketball game in Rosemont, Illinois.^[23][24] 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.^[25]

References

External links

• http://www.chetcoppock.com