RIP Bob Hammel

[LamarCheeks 22,614]

Dude covered IU sports forever. He was Indiana Sportswriter of the Year about a hundred times and is in the IU athletics Hall of Fame. 

He passed Saturday. Was 88. 

His brother Jim, who died a few years back, was a longtime basketball coach -- spent time at Lake Central and Lafayette Jeff high schools (those are the two I recall; may have been more). 

[Demo 25,247]

15 minutes ago, LamarCheeks said:

Dude covered IU sports forever. He was Indiana Sportswriter of the Year about a hundred times and is in the IU athletics Hall of Fame. 

He passed Saturday. Was 88. 

His brother Jim, who died a few years back, was a longtime basketball coach -- spent time at Lake Central and Lafayette Jeff (those are the two I recall; may have been more). 

When you do what that guy did for as long as he did it and remain universally admired…wow, that is one hell of a thing.

RIP, Sir. 

[AZ Hoosier 11,213]

I got the following from a friend about Bob Hammel. I never met Hammel, but this parallels everything I've ever read about the man.

Quote

One of the best, ever. And as I told my good friend [redacted],  not just because he and RMK got along. When I was a young guy just breaking into radio (before I figured out there was a lot more money in TV) my mom, who worked at the HT, introduced me to Mr. Hammel. He could not have been nicer or more encouraging. It’s a long list of arrogant jerks working in media (ask me some personal stories over a few beers) but he showed me you could be friendly and kind and still be damned good. RIP. I am loathe to admit it, but the days of reporters/writers like him are now past. Too much looking for social media stardom for someone to just write well and not look constantly for the sensational. 

 

[8bucks 7,655]

I worked at the HT in the early 90’s and was no one he would really know but he always took time and would talk with me. Only crossed paths with him a handful of times but always such a happy guy. We were lucky to have him associated with IU