HALL OF FAME PLAY BY PLAY, SPORTS DIRECTOR RETIRING

By Corbin Lingenfelter

Jasper- Long time play by play and sports director Walt Ferber is hanging up his headphones at WITZ.

Ferber began his career with WITZ in the 1980s after calling the Columbus East state championship in 1980, but did not know how long he’d stay. He explained that while he did not intend to be at WITZ and Jasper long term, it quickly became a home.

“I came down here and it’s a wonderful organization. I’ve been treated very well here and the cost of living here is good. You don’t have the pressure of living and dying from a ratings period like in the major markets. I’ve had opportunities to go other places, but it didn’t make sense to move. Met my wife a few months after I moved here and once Melanie and I got married it didn’t make sense to go.”

Over his 40 years calling games for WITZ, Ferber has called nearly 9,500 games. While he may no longer be as active on the radio as in years past, he says he will still be on the air waves.

“I’m not dead yet. I have had a couple regular working relationships. My son John played football at Indiana State University from 2001-2005. I have consulted the university since then and freelanced for them. So, I am going to work for them and I have a very good friend who I helped get started in the business, Greg Rakestraw, who has been my pal and a benefactor of mine has invited me to help him out. And I freelance for his ISC Sports Network. I am also going to do select project for the University of Evansville.”

Over his time, Ferber has compiled a numerous amount of awards for his work. His list includes:

  • Marv Bates Indiana Sportscaster of the Year (1996)
  • Associated Press Play by Play Awards (1995, 96, 97)
  • The Virgil Sweet Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (2005)
  • Network Indiana Play by Play Awards (2007 and 2008)
  • Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame (2010)

Ferber shared a final message with the community that he has called home for the last 42 years.

“I love it here. It was an accident I got here but it’s not an accident I’m staying. Melanie and I aren’t going anywhere and we have loved this place for forty-two years and it has been home and it always be home.”

Ferber made his final call for the Jasper Wildcats on Saturday June 4th.

During that game, his longtime broadcast partner Ray Howard shared with Walt what he’s going to miss.

“I’m gonna miss the duck snorts, the conundrums, I’m gonna miss them. We spent a good time together and an area has ended. It has been a plus to work with you and I hope we see each other down the road.”

Ferber says he plans to do a lot more fishing and spend more time with his wife, family, cat and dog.