2022 Countdown to Kickoff: 42 Days (Joe Smith)

Written by Andrew Walker

The Hoosier Huddle 100 Day Countdown is approaching its 75% done mark, and today we’ve got something special. Joe Smith will be the subject of our profile today as he enters into his 40th and last season as Indiana Sports Broadcaster.

Name: Joe Smith

Hometown:

Year: 40th

Joe Smith started broadcasting in 1969 out of WAIK Radio in Galesburg, Ill. Today, Hoosier fans would be hard pressed to remember a time when Smith wasn’t behind the mic for an Indiana football or basketball event. Rounding out his 40 years at Indiana, Smith has another reason to continue his service, “I would not miss Don's 50th season for anything in the world," Smith said. "Nothing has made me happier than being a part of Indiana football and men's basketball broadcasts with the best play-by-play man in the country. Don is a true friend and to share the booth with him one final year, well, it doesn't get any better than that. IU has meant so much to me and my family, and I can't wait to watch Coach Allen BUILD the Hoosiers back into a Top-25 program. I also want to thank Scott Dolson for his support and allowing me to close out my IU career on this incredible high note."

Among all the awards and accolades, here are a few of the big ones. He received the J.W. Bill Orwig Medal that goes to non-alumni for distinguished service to the University in June 2004. In March 2020, Smith was given the IU Bicentennial Medal by President Michael A. McRobbie, awarded to organizations and individuals who, through their personal, professional, artistic or philanthropic efforts, have broadened the reach of Indiana University around the state, nation, and world. In 1998, Smith was named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year; in April 2003, he was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters/Sportscasters Hall of Fame; and in Aug. 2021, he was welcomed into the Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame.

These accolades certainly mean a lot to Smith, but perhaps the best for of flattery is that of his coworker for all these years. “"Joe Smith has been an integral and versatile member of the IU Radio Network broadcast team for the better part of 40 years," long time play-by-play broadcaster Don Fischer said. "At one time or another, Joe has served as the broadcast engineer, football spotter, statistician, and our pre-game, halftime, and post-game host through those four decades. He also sat in for me as the play-by-play voice for the Seawolf Classic in 1978 and took over late in a game when I developed laryngitis. His ability to step in and do whatever has been asked has made him invaluable to me and our staff. Joe's transition into this new role is just another example of his multifaceted abilities."

Looking ahead, Smith will enter into a mentor role with current news anchor at 93.1 WIBC, John Herrick. Herrick, a Hoosier himself, will find himself increasingly involved with the Indiana Radio Network over the coming year with Smith serving as a mentor and Indiana football post game host. Now I have the benefit of working alongside a legend and learning even more from Don throughout the football and basketball seasons,” Herrick mentioned, “I look forward to bringing Hoosier Nation a broadcasting product it can be proud of."