Luke Walton

(Apr. 4, 1907-June 18, 1990). Recognized for his rapid-fire delivery, Walton broadcast high school, college, and professional sports events, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, swimming, and auto racing, from the late 1940s through the late 1980s.

A graduate of Butler University, Walton got his first job on radio at WBOW in Terre Haute in 1931. Later, he served at radio station WIRE before joining WISH, both in Indianapolis.

Walton became known as the dean of Hoosier sportscasters in the 1940s and 1950s. He was instrumental in the late 1940s in organizing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. He also was the voice of the Indianapolis Indians baseball play-by-play over WISH radio from 1948 to 1955 and then on WIGO in 1963.

Walton left WISH in 1956 to form the Luke Walton Advertising Agency, which he operated until 1983. However, he continued his broadcast involvement, frequently doing commercials. In 1963, he acquired an AM license and put WIGO on the air, selling it six months later to Sarkes Tarzian, owner of WTTV.

Walton continued to participate in the annual broadcast of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race for the Speedway Radio Network until 1988. He is a member of the Broadcast Hall of Fame.

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