May 23, 2013 – Legendary Iowa radio broadcaster – Jim Zabel – dies. An iconic presence on the airwaves across Iowa, Zabel called over 6,000 sporting events during a career highlighted by serving as one of the primary voices of Iowa Hawkeye football and men’s basketball.
In the days before multiple television networks, the only way to keep up with the Hawkeyes was to either 1) be at the game in Iowa City or 2) listen to the game on radio. From the late-1940’s well into the 1990’s, there were three major sportscasters who became the Voice of the Hawkeyes. Come hear the stories of Jim Zabel, Bob Brooks, and Ron Gonder – three giant names in Iowa Hawkeye radio.
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I knew Brooks quite well when he was at WSUI; Zabel when WHO used WSUI studio space during Boys’ State Basketball Tournament. It was played in Iowa City back in those days. Ron was after my time.
Certainly well-known celebrities around Iowa!