Sam Simmermaker, third from right, interviews Columbus Christian coach Kevin Roth as Levi Sallee and Blake Barker look at photos during a celebration of the Crusaders’ NACA Division V Tournament championship in 2017.
The Republic file photo
When Sam Simmermaker arrived in Columbus in 1960, he figured it might be just another step on his way to a career as a Major League Baseball announcer.
Sixty-four years later, Simmermaker still calls Columbus home. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now 92 years old, Simmermaker has announced plans to retire from WCSI and White River Broadcasting on May 24. He plans to continue announcing Columbus East and/or Columbus North baseball games as long as they are alive in this year’s postseason.
“I thought this was just the start of a career that would take me up the ladder and do a little play-by-play on the professional level,” Simmermaker said. “That didn’t work out.”
What did work out for Simmermaker is a career that established him as a legend in the community and in the broadcasting industry.
Simmermaker was named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1976 and in 1997 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and in 1971 by the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. He was inducted into the ISSA Hall of Fame in 1998, the Indiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He won the Best Sports Play-by-Play award by Network Indiana in 2002 and 2004 and best Sports Play-by-Play award by Indiana Broadcasters Association in 2005.
A native of tiny Star City in Pulaski County near Lafayette, Simmermaker graduated from Star City High School and Indiana University. After serving in the US Army Signal Corps, he worked briefly for the AC Nielsen company before beginning his broadcasting career in 1958 at WKAM in Goshen.
That year, Simmermaker began doing play-by-play for Indianapolis Indians games for WTTV in Indianapolis. He continued in that role for five years, even after starting at WCSI on Jan. 1, 1960.
“I have to go back to my journalism class at Star City High school and Mrs. Clark,” Simmermaker said. “My ambition was to be a sportswriter. As a kid, I thought, ‘Well hey, instead of writing about it, why not be at the scene and describe it as it happens.”
Sam Simmermaker broadcasts during his early days at WCSI.
The Republic file photo
During his 64 years in Columbus, Simmermaker has broadcast thousands of sporting events. Late at night, he tapes a 4 1/2-minute sportscast that airs at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 the next morning and a 2 1/2 minute sportscast that airs at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. He also goes to WCSI and talks with John Foster for three minutes from 7:42 to 7:45 a.m. on Foster’s morning show.
“It’s been an amazing and wonderful 30-plus-year ride with Sam, and I will always treasure his friendship and professionalism,” Foster said in a news release.
Simmermaker pointed out that being owned by one company (Findlay Publishing, the parent company of White River Broadcasting) for the duration of his career is a rarity in the broadcasting industry.
“The town has been awfully nice to us,” Simmermaker said. “And of course, I want to thank the station for the employment for all of those years. It’s astounding that the ownership is the same. I owe a lot to White River.”
“Everyone who has listened to Sam over the many decades has their own story and memories to cherish for a lifetime,” Dave Glass, president of Findlay Publishing Co., said in the news release. “Thank you, enjoy the next chapter — you’ve earned it and then some. Bravo, Holy Cow Sam Simmermaker!”
Sam Simmermaker poses for a photo in a studio at WCSI.
The Republic file photo
Simmermaker plans to stay involved with the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, where he is a board member, and with the North Carolina-based National Sports Media Association. The avid St. Louis Cardinals fan also plans to catch a few more of their games.
“I’m looking probably for more trips to St. Louis and maybe a lengthier stay (in Florida) over Spring Training,” Simmermaker said.
