Gold & Silver Circle Awards

NEIL ZURCHER

After serving his country Neil joined the staff of the "Oberlin News-Tribune" as a reporter in 1954. In 1961 he began his radio broadcasting career at WEOL in Elyria. A year later he kicked of his television career by freelancing for WJW-TV, where he later accepted a full-time reporting position, which he held for 37 years.

Neil has logged more than a million miles on Ohio's roads as a TV travel reporter. He was the original host of the One Tank Trips travel report, which aired on Fox8 Television in Cleveland and has since been imitated in other television markets throughout the United States. He has also written about travel for "AAA Ohio Motorist Magazine" and "The Plain Dealer."

Zurcher received the Distinguished Service award from the Society of Professional Journalism and the Silver Circle award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He also received an Emmy®, the Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters, and has been inducted into the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame. He was one of the founders, and a member of the original board of Governors, of the local NATAS Chapter in 1968. He was also inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received their Living Legacy Award in 2007.

He has written five books about Ohio, including "Ohio Oddities" and "Strange Tales from Ohio." He continues to host One Tank Trips for WJW-TV and blogs at www.onetanktrips.com.

DENNIS GOULDEN

Since 1959, Dennis has had hands-on experience in all phases of documentary, public affairs and news production that includes expertise in cinematography, videography, research, writing and both on-line and off-line editing.

Dennis has a successful record of starting up various operations, including production units within broadcast, cable, public television stations and independent production companies. He is capable of planning production streams and carrying projects through to completion without supervision, if necessary.

Dennis is experienced in working with all levels of staff within television, cable and production house facilities. He has a successful record of working with union and non-union personnel. This includes extensive international travel and production in many countries for an end-product used on outlets from broadcast networks, to national cable networks and local cities.

Dennis was also a consultant to colleges and universities, including lecturing on journalistic standards (Kent State, Cleveland State) curriculum (Notre Dame College), and communications alternatives. He served as Board member numerous times for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He also developed interest in preserving and nurturing film and tape collections.

FRED GRIFFITH

It’s fair to say that thousands of Clevelanders woke up with Fred Griffith for years. In fact, co-workers have figured that he has logged 13,700 hours on air, most of those on morning television.

For 26 years Fred hosted “Morning Exchange” on WEWS-TV, creating a warm and friendly start to the day while updating viewers on what had happened while they slept.

In 2000, Fred moved to WKYC-TV, lending his skills to the station’s “Good Company” program.

Fred retired in 2012 and co-workers from both stations joined together for the sendoff. He left television with Emmy® awards, the Distinguished Service Award from the Society for Professional Journalists, and was inducted into the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame.

He will soon add a Gold Circle award to go along with his Silver Circle recognition from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

TOM CARNEGIE

Tom Carnegie will be remembered around the world for his decades as the public address voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his catch phrases, "And Heeeee's ON it!" and "It's a neeeeeew traaaack record!" In the Lower Great Lakes Chapter, he will also be remembered for his years in radio and television and for his love of Hoosier basketball.

Tom worked his entire career in Indiana. He spent 32 years as sports director at WRTV (1953-1985). Tom pioneered the "Trackside 6" reports, a May tradition that continues today as the station covers the Indy 500.

Tom began his career in 1942 at WOWO radio (Ft. Wayne) and moved to WIRE radio (Indianapolis) as World War II ended. He also wrote a column for The Indianapolis Star.

Tom joined the public address team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1946. Sixty-one years later, in 2006, Tom retired from that post. He called 61 Indy 500s, 12 Brickyard 400s and six US Grand Prix for millions of race fans.

Tom dearly loved high school basketball in Indiana. He announced 24 years of state championship games, including the famous 1954 Milan High School win. That led to a cameo role in the movie "Hoosiers" as a PA announcer. Tom's passion for the sport also led him to co-found the "Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame".

When Tom passed away in February 2011, tributes used the words 'pioneer', 'legend' and 'icon'. Sports stars, business leaders, politicians and friends paid public tribute.

A few years earlier, Speedway historian Donald Davidson wrote the following tribute honoring Tom and his "booming baritone voice":

The voice of Carnegie was first heard over the P.A. on race day an incredible SIXTY years ago, and by the mid-1950s it had become one of the track’s most recognizable and cherished attributes. He probably deserves more credit than any other single human being for the building of the gigantic crowds which used to flock to qualifications during the days when the breaking of the track record was almost an annual occurrence. While it was certainly the drivers who were out there breaking the records, it was the dramatic commentary by Carnegie which stirred the crowd and led them to spreading the word, thus creating an even larger attendance for the following year.

While he was growing up, the now 86-year-old icon aspired to be an actor, but those dreams were effectively dashed during his college days when he was stricken with polio. Instead, he regrouped and began focusing on using his extraordinarily rich voice for commentating at sporting events, his sense of the dramatic paying dividends for him.

“It’s theater,” he has always said of the Speedway, chuckling at the memories of some of his more famous calls, when spectators had to rely solely on his commentary for clues as to what was occurring in areas of the track hidden from their view.

He always relished the private moments when he would learn of an exciting development and then have a second or two in which to contemplate how he was going to announce it. He loved “working the crowd,” and its reaction was his reward.

There have been many glorious gems over the years, basically just straightforward lines, but always delivered with such powerful drama, particularly during qualifications.

“Eyes on the starter.” (Delivered with a low and even pitch)

“AAAAAAAAND, IT’S STILL GOING....UP !!” (Still bellowing)

And, of course, “IT’S A NEEEEEEEW TRACK RECORD!!!”

What passion that man could stir. Who else would be able to open a microphone at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning of qualifications, when nothing was happening, and with a simple, “Testing, one, two, three. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” be greeted by a roaring cheer?

Thank you, Tom Carnegie, for all of the wonderful memories.

- Donald Davidson

DICK GODDARD

About 45 years ago, a National Research company ranked Dick Goddard as the most popular weathercaster in American television. Certainly. Northeast Ohio TV viewers agreed with that approbation then, and they continue to hold him in high esteem for his reliable weather reports and the technical rationale for why the winds of change will bring us rain, snow, sleet or sun.

Dick honed his meteorological skills in the U.S. Air Force and at the U.S. Weather Bureau before joining KYW-TV 3, Cleveland in 1961 as Chief Meteorologist. Yep, this is his 50th year in the Cleveland ADI on local Cleveland TV stations. In 1966, he made a dramatic switch to WJW-TV 8 where he was first seen on the 5 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM newscasts Monday through Friday.

Dick practically invented the category of official TV meteorologist and weather anchor. He's certainly the longest running weathercaster/anchor in the Cleveland market ...and maybe even in the world. When WJW-TV became Foxnews 8, Dick continued his Monday - Friday early and late weathercasts.

He was inducted into the Silver Circle in 1992 for his pioneering efforts and distinguished service to the television industry. Nationally recognized and praised for his genuine concern for animal welfare, Dick has placed thousands of orphaned pets into loving families, Dick is also noted for having created Ohio's largest one day event ... his Woolleybear Festival, now in its 41st year.

Dick Goddard celebrated his 75th birthday in 2006 on the air with a surprise birthday party staged by the staff at WJW/Fox8 with some eighty special guests - forty people and the forty dogs they adopted because they fell in love with them on Goddard's program segments. More than a hundred people -- pet lovers, politicians, festival folks, representatives of animal organizations he'd worked with over the years, friends, associates, Fox8 personalities and management helped celebrate Dick Goddard's many years of accomplishments and contributions to the communities of Northeast Ohio.

HOWARD CALDWELL

Howard Caldwell joined the WRTV news staff in May of 1959, after four years as news manager for WTHI Radio/TV in Terre Haute, Indiana. Before making his formal entrance into Journalism, Caldwell spent a year aboard a South Pacific Minesweeper during World War II as a radio reporter. Later, during the Korean conflict, he served as the editor of a Naval Reserve newsletter.

Between military commitments, he worked a year on a small town weekly newspaper. Caldwell was an anchor/reporter with WRTV for 35 years. During that time, assignments placed him squarely in the middle of political, labor and social controversies that helped shape Indiana. His consistent professionalism in reporting those kinds of events prompted the Indianapolis Press Club in 1978 to name him "Newsman of the Year," the first TV newscaster in the area to be so honored. Early in his career, he was sent on a month-long assignment to the Far East and became the first American newscaster to interview newly-elected Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The interview aired nationally on the NBC "Today" program. His documentary on hunger in India led to a 1967 Indianapolis Press Club Award. Caldwell held memberships in several civic organizations and was a member of the Butler University Board of Trustees. He was named an "Outstanding Alum" of the school in 1982 and received an honorary Doctor of Letters Degree in 1984. In 1992, he received a similar degree from Indiana University. Ball State University named him Journalist of the Year in 1993 and in 1983 his college social fraternity, Sigma Chi, named him "Hoosier Sig" of the year. In 1984, Caldwell was awarded a plaque of appreciation from the Indiana State Symphony Society for preparing a history of the Circle Theater. Caldwell is a past president of The Service Club of Indianapolis, a professional/business group of war veterans. He is a former president of the Indianapolis Press Club and Central Indiana Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, Society of Professional Journalists. Caldwell is a 1950 graduate of Butler University with a B.A. in Journalism. He also received a Masters in Political Science in 1968. Caldwell is also known for his "Howard's Indiana" series and commentaries called "Perspectives", which were personal observations about news happenings in the city and state. Four times he received recognition from The Associated Press and United Press International news service for those efforts. Caldwell won a CASPER Award in 1989 for "A Delicate Balance," a documentary on local police and citizen relations. In April 1991, Caldwell was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame, established by The Society of Professional Journalists (formerly Sigma Delta Chi). Later that year he also was inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. In 1994 he became a member of the Associated Press Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indiana Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television. He is the author of two books. Tony Hinkle: Coach for All Seasons is a biography of the late Butler University coach and Athletic Director. Indianapolis is a pictorial trip through the Capital City with text and introduction by Caldwell. Howard Caldwell retired from WRTV June 1, 1994. Howard and his wife Lynn still reside in the Indianapolis area and are very active in the community.

JOHN MARINKO

Cleveland born and raised, John Marinko began his broadcasting career on May 20, 1957 at KYW Radio and TV. In 1972 the Radio division was sold and John began working exclusively at WKYC Channel 3 for his entire career. He has worked with the established names of Cleveland television including Mike Douglas, Doug Adair, Virgil Dominic, Jim Granner, Len Sheldon and Al Roker.

His work included productions with some of the most recognizable names in Northeast Ohio business including Spitzer Ford, Jack Matia Honda and several other automotive dealers. He also worked on commercials for companies that are gone now but played a large role in Cleveland history such as Higbee’s and May Company department stores.
 
John recalls that the one challenge of the early years was editing on quad machines. Not only were there no timecodes to use but editing was done with a microscope, razor blades and iron filings. “It was very difficult to get it all lined up,” recalls John in the early years before technological advance changed the industry. “It took 5 guys to do a commercial in quad.”   

For all his work he was honored with 11 Emmys and a Silver Circle Award from NATAS – Lower Great Chapter.

After 51 years in television, retired from  WKYC –TV3 on July 3, 2008.      

CHARLES E. “BUD” FORD, JR.

Charles E. “Bud” Ford, Jr. began his 70 year broadcast career as a child actor in radio dramas in Seattle. He became an announcer and sportscaster on KFIO, Spokane in 1943, and joined the Army a year later. Ford served as a Japanese interpreter in Japan, and was assigned to Armed Forces Radio to construct WVTO and WLKH in Sasebo. Bud came to Cleveland in 1950 with NBC’s WTAM & WNBK. He produced “Noontime Comics” and “Johnny Andrews Sings for Your Supper” on WNBK, and was producer/director of such programs as “NCAA Football”, “Colgate Sports Newsreel,” and “Pepsi Cola Camp Shows” on the NBC radio network, and “The Morning Bandwagon” on WTAM. Moving to New York in 1954, he produced and directed the “Bill Cullen” show on WNBC … then was appointed Director of Operations for the station. Leaving NYC for Baltimore in 1962, Bud was named Director of Operations for Group W’s WJZ-TV. By 1966, he returned to New York as VP/ National Director of Operations for the Overmyer TV stations in Toledo, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Atlanta and other markets. Ford returned to Cleveland in 1967 as General Manager of Visual Techniques, a film and multi-media company, and by 1970 was Executive Producer/Controller for Bell & Howell’s Wilding Studios. He joined Meldrum & Campbell Advertising in 1972, where he produced award-winning commercials and revamped “It’s Academic” into the long-running “Academic Challenge” on TV-5. In 1987, Bud helped create “The Cash Explosion” show originating at WEWS-TV for a state-wide TV network. He was inducted into the Silver Circle in 1996. He’s been NATAS Chapter Vice President, Membership Chair, Finance Chair, By-Laws Chair, Publicity and Website Chair and National Trustee. Now retired, Bud is a devoted volunteer with the Boy Scouts, The Cleveland Play House, several hunger and homeless centers, and as an advisor to the President of the Lower Great Lakes Chapter of NATAS.

JOHN J. “JACK” MOFFITT

Jack began his television career at WEWS in December, 1947. In 1964 he made a station move to WJW in the sales department. In 1968 he moved both jobs and stations to serve as the General Sales Manager at WUAB, and in 1971 became the General Manager. Moffitt left Cleveland in 1985 and opened 7 new independent TV stations in various cities across the United States before retiring in 2001.

Jack passed away in 2010.