Retired long time Commercial-News Sports Editor and former 1490 WDAN commentator Fowler Connell turned 99 on April 18th. On Saturday, April 22nd; a party was held in his honor at American Legion Post 210. While many pictures are posted, we will now hear some memories.
Harry Eisenhauer, who formed half of Fowler’s “Frank and Harry” baseball column with Frank Roos, recalled one of many exchanges with Fowler and Frank. As usual, it was Harry the Cardinals fan battling Frank the Cubs fan, offering a pretend reason for why someone would move to Chicago.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: And I said, ‘why would he do that?’ And I said ‘well, he wanted to get as far away from baseball as he could get!’ And after he (Frank) left the show, Fowler said, ‘you sure hit him below the belt!’
Danville Barbershop Chorus Director Marty Lindvahl once again had the honor of singing Happy Birthday to Fowler Connell.
Former Danville Area Community College hoops coach John Spezia said his connections to Fowler go back to when he was a student athlete in Bismarck, just happy to have Fowler Connell writing something about him.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: You have those certain guys; be it radio, or TV, or newspaper; that you know what you’d like to have those guys write something good about you, or write something nice about you; and take the time to do that. So, that’s my memories of it.
Hank Shaffer, son of former WDAN owner Max Shaffer; had great memories involving his dad, as well as his brother Jan.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Well I grew up with Fowler and my dad going to different basketball and football games. You know, the memories of Fowler just go back a long way. And then my brother started off working for Fowler in high school at the newspaper, and ended up as the media relations director at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And Fowler gave him that start.
Mike Hulvey (1st picture) read Fowler’s greeting from the United States Navy. Scott Eisenhauer (3rd picture) read Fowler’s greeting from the Boston Red Sox.
Also reflecting, current Commercial-News Sports Editor Chad Dare.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: When we want to know history of what happened in Danville sports, we’re going to go to Fowler. In my 20 years here, he’s been the guy you talk to. He knows the most about everyone. He can tell you who the quarterback was on the 1975 Danville football team.
Neuhoff Media announcer and former Danville mayor Scott Eisenhauer talked about the incredible recollection of Fowler Connell.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: It was amazing, when we were doing color commentating together; the number of stories that he could go back and retell. If you brought up anybody, I mean anybody that had a history of sports in Vermilion County, he would be able to go back. He’d remember some of their stats. He’d remember all about them. He’d even tell you what some of them are doing today. So that’s what I’ve always appreciated about him.
Fowler Connell served on the USS Boston (middle picture) in WWII.
And the man who put everything together to plan the event, Neuhoff Media’s own, Mike Hulvey.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: A wonderful turnout in celebrating Fowler Connell, who truly is a local icon. You look at his military service, you look at what he’s done in terms of supporting the local community as a volunteer after he retired. So to see so many people come out to honor him on his 98th birthday is just incredible.
Fowler received special recognition from the United State Navy; and his team, the Boston Red Sox. We had to ask him, how will the Red Sox do this year?
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Well, I hope they do well. You never know, they’re always competitive. (Well let’s hope the Red Sox win another one for you this year.) Well, let’s hope so. (Alright!)