Longtime U.S. Auto Club official and local sports broadcaster Charles T. Brockman died Tuesday. He was 77. Brockman was USAC president from 1969-72 but held many positions in the organization over several decades. He graduated from Speedway High School and Purdue University’s engineering school, but soon became involved in sports broadcasting. He worked for radio stations WXLW and WIRE and joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s radio announcing crew. He conducted the Indianapolis 500 winner’s interview from 1954-59. He was sports director at WLWI-TV (which is now WTHR-13) during the 1960s, and also worked on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” program. Through his broadcasting work, he became a master of ceremonies for Indy 500 and USAC banquets from the late 1950s until he became USAC president. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Conkle Funeral Home, 4925 W. 16th St. in Speedway, IN to be followed by a memorial service.(Indianapolis Star)(1-20-2005)
