Chuck Wilson was Beaver County’s
pioneer radio sportscaster. During his 25 year career as a sports
announcer and program chairman at Station WBVP in Beaver Falls, he
broadcast thousands of high school and college athletic events of
all kinds. In recognition of this service, he received the first
Honorary Letterman Award given by Geneva College in 1966. Chuck was
born in Steubenville, Ohio, and began his radio career in 1942 as an
announcer for Station WKST in New Castle. When Station WBVP went on
air May 25, 1948, he spoke the first words that were broadcast. For
the next 25 years Chuck was the best known announcer on WBVP, becoming
famous as a disc jockey, as well as sports announcer and program
director. His best known sidekick in broadcasting was Ernie Kilne,
who later became a state senator and lieutenant governor of
Pennsylvania. (Kline served as toastmaster of the Sports Hall of Fame banquet for
Chuck's induction.) In addition to being known as an expert in
Beaver County sports, Chuck was active in many civic projects and in
recognition of this service received the Man of the Year award
from the Upper Beaver Valley Jaycees. After resigning from WBVP in
1975, Chuck became a public relations officer for the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation. He was killed in a plane crash near
Harrisburg on February 24, 1977.
Chuck Wilson was Beaver County’s
pioneer radio sportscaster. During his 25 year career as a sports
announcer and program chairman at Station WBVP in Beaver Falls, he
broadcast thousands of high school and college athletic events of
all kinds. In recognition of this service, he received the first
Honorary Letterman Award given by Geneva College in 1966. Chuck was
born in Steubenville, Ohio, and began his radio career in 1942 as an
announcer for Station WKST in New Castle. When Station WBVP went on
air May 25, 1948, he spoke the first words that were broadcast. For
the next 25 years Chuck was the best known announcer on WBVP, becoming
famous as a disc jockey, as well as sports announcer and program
director. His best known sidekick in broadcasting was Ernie Kilne,
who later became a state senator and lieutenant governor of
Pennsylvania. (Kline served as toastmaster of the Sports Hall of Fame banquet for
Chuck's induction.) In addition to being known as an expert in
Beaver County sports, Chuck was active in many civic projects and in
recognition of this service received the Man of the Year award
from the Upper Beaver Valley Jaycees. After resigning from WBVP in
1975, Chuck became a public relations officer for the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation. He was killed in a plane crash near
Harrisburg on February 24, 1977.