Last month, Ralph Lawler, the play-by-play commentator for the Los Angelos Clippers, announced that the 2018-19 NBA season would be his last behind the mic.
Lawler, who had a successful 40-year career in broadcasting, spent time commentating with the Philadelphia 76ers before heading west to work for the San Diego Clippers and following them in 1984 to L.A., where he’s been ever since.
If you don’t know Lawler, you may recognize his voice from an NBA highlight reel. Since Blake Griffin was drafted to the Clippers and ushered in the “Lob City” era. Lawler’s call of “Oh me oh my!” has made regular appearances in top-10 dunk videos during this decade.
Before clicks on YouTube made Lawler a household voice among the masses, he started here on the Hilltop. A native of Peoria, he attended Peoria Central High School and Bradley in the early 60s.
Usually when we hear about sports commentators and Bradley, the quick name that comes to mind is Charley Steiner, the namesake for the School of Sports Communication. Another distinguished alum, Steiner appeared as an anchor in the early days of SportsCenter and now serves as the Dodgers’ radio play-by-play broadcaster.
Lawler and Steiner: already a great list to start with for some Bradley students like you and me. Can’t get better, can it? Oh yes, it can.
One of Lawler’s influences growing up was Chick Hearn, another Peoria native and Bradley alumnus. Yes, Steiner and Lawler’s careers have been illustrious, but Hearn’s was godly.
From 1965 to 2001, he never missed a game for the Lakers. Hearn was there for Chamberlain, for Kareem, for Magic and “Showtime” and the early days of Kobe and Shaq. That’s historic.
Hearn popularized the terms “slam dunk” and “air ball,” probably the most common basketball phrases ever.
Steiner won out the name for the School of Sports Communication, and Lawler has a Clippers poster hung up in the communications building, but can’t there be some kind of tribute to Hearn? At least a portrait of some sort.
It’s that type of nobility that should be looked up to by students. Even Jack Brickhouse, the TV announcer for the Chicago Cubs in the mid-20th century, is a Bradley alumnus but lacks the recognition.
There are portraits hung up in the Renaissance Coliseum displaying Bradley alumni involved in athletics, but that area of the building does not get a lot of public foot traffic. We need something that really stands out.
You can imagine it right now: You’re walking to the Caterpillar Global Communications Center for class and as you look at all the modern art that camps out on the front lawn, you notice a shiny object up ahead.
It’s a table of bronze with several motionless men seated behind it. They have microphones in their hands or headsets on with papers sprawled across the table. All have a smile on their face and are watching some sort of nonexistent action in the distance.
Below each of them is a plaque with their name and notable catchphrase. Then at the end of the table is an open spot where an empty seat and microphone sits. It is here that students and visitors can take pictures next to the rest of the legends and pretend to be one of the icons.
Alumni would eat it up. Parents of prospective students would love it when they go on the campus tour, and despite eye rolls from their child, would proceed to take a picture of them in the open seat. It would be great, and would really stick in visitors’ minds at the end of the day.
To be honest, it’s probably an expensive endeavor, and sometimes statues aren’t the most flattering or accurate portrayal of someone’s face. There are already Brickhouse and Hearn statues, but Lawler and Steiner don’t have one. Bradley could be the first and instantly have a classic tourist attraction.
