The Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame was created in 1989 to honor those broadcasters who have devoted their careers to broadcasting and its development in Wisconsin, to recognize their outstanding service to broadcasting, their communities, and their state, over at least a fifteen-year career in the industry, at least ten of which were served in Wisconsin.
The first twelve members of the Hall of Fame were inducted during the 1989 WBA Summer Conference. Since 1989, 132 outstanding broadcasters have been honored with Hall of Fame inductions. Inductees are chosen each year from among nominations by WBA members. Broadcasters who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame include managers, personalities, engineers, reporters, educators and those broadcasting pioneers who were at once all of the above.
Hall of Fame History
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
In the words of Bill Hurwitz, WBA Foundation Board Member, who was instrumental in securing the new location:
Retired
The location in downtown Milwaukee to display the WBA Hall of Fame is perfect as the biggest hotel in the state represents the best of the best from all over the state. The Hilton hotel in downtown Milwaukee has always been a favorite venue for many radio and television events for decades. In fact, even today a large television tower still stands atop the hotel. Ben Marcus, the founder of the Marcus Corporation, at one time owned and operated several radio stations in Southeastern Wisconsin; Mr. Marcus, and the family have always been a true friend of local, over the air radio. Mr. Marcus was the founder of the Children's Variety Club of Wisconsin, a major charity that tied into Wisconsin radio, and television stations for decades. To have a major wing in a major Marcus hotel displaying the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame is a marriage that can only be described as perfect!
In October 1989, Alfred C. Sykes, then Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, came to Wisconsin to formally dedicate a Hall of Fame display, including plaques honoring the inductees, at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library in Madison. In 2010, due to remodeling of the SHSW facility, the display was removed and put in storage, awaiting a suitable new permanent display site. We are proud to announce that this year we finally found that new home for the permanent display, as on April 23, 2015, nearly 100 broadcasters (including many Hall of Famers) attended a wonderful dedication reception at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame also has a permanent, virtual display at the online Wisconsin Museum of Broadcasting which debuted in 2009 at www.wisconsinbroadcastingmuseum.org, where the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame Gallery is one of our major attractions.
2022 Inductees
Chris Bernier
Joyce Garbaciak
Howard Gloede
