Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe

(Apr. 15, 1929-Feb. 11, 2016). Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe was born in Sullivan, Indiana. His family later moved to Indianapolis where he graduated from Shortridge High School. He remained in Indianapolis for his college education, attending Butler University.

In 1952, Marlow began broadcasting at Indianapolis radio station Wxlw but went on to build a career as a popular television personality. He worked for Wttv-Channel 4, primarily as a sportscaster, for 37 years. Between 1957 and 1970, Marlowe was the announcer for Big Time/Championship Wrestling, which featured such wrestling favorites of the era as richard f. afflis, known as “Dick the Bruiser;” Edward George Farhat, known as “The Sheik;” and Wilbur Snyder. Marlowe also was a pit reporter for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network’s broadcast of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race for 41 years.

In 1958, Marlow began doing TV play-by-play announcing for Indiana University basketball and became best-known for hosting the weekly Bob Knight Show, which featured the popular but sometimes controversial IU men’s basketball coach. In a 1996 interview with the Indianapolis Star, Marlowe admitted that he allowed Knight to come to him and “release his emotions and frustrations.” “He puts me down on the show,” Marlow said, “I accept that, because my role is to make him say something.” The show ran for 29 years.

Outside of sports, Marlowe built a reputation for pitching local products and services, hosting a cooking show, serving as a puppeteer on a children’s program called Randy and Friends, and hosting a teen dance program.

In recognition of his work, Marlowe’s peers voted to induct him into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2008. He also received the Indiana Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

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