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Joe Wilson

1911 – 1983

American sports announcer

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About Joe Wilson

Lived 1911 – 1983 (aged 72). Joe Wilson was an American.

Joseph S. Wilson (May 7, 1911 – October 20, 1983) was an American sports announcer from Chicago known for his coverage of bowling.

Career Wilson was born on May 7, 1911, in Eveleth, Minnesota. He graduated from Northwestern University and began his broadcasting career at a radio station in Virginia, Minnesota. His first play-by-play experience came when the station had him call a hockey game. He called a number of sports for the station, including Chicago Cubs baseball, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, harness racing from Maywood Park, college football and basketball, boxing, golf, pool, and midget car racing. He also co-hosted a game show, anchored newscasts, and acted in televised plays. In 1949, he called college football games nationally for the DuMont Television Network.

Wilson moved to WMAQ-TV in 1952 and the following year began hosting the station's bowling program. He was the play-by-play announcer for a number of NBC's nationally aired bowling programs, including 1956's National Championship Bowling, as well as the syndicated Bowling Stars.

In 1952 and 1959, Wilson was a play-by-play announcer for Mutual Broadcasting System's Game of the Day baseball broadcasts.

In 1968, Wilson joined the Oakland Seals of the National Hockey League as director of publicity and promotion.

Wilson died on October 20, 1983, in Geneva, Illinois.

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Important facts

Born
Birth century
Nationality

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Joe Wilson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joe Wilson?

American sports announcer

When was Joe Wilson born?

Joe Wilson was born on 7 May 1911.

When did Joe Wilson die?

Joe Wilson died on 20 October 1983.

What nationality was Joe Wilson?

Joe Wilson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Joe Wilson

· Wikidata: Q124365848

· DBpedia: Joe Wilson (sportscaster)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joe Wilson. https://biography.guide/joe-wilson-1911/

MLA: "Joe Wilson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joe-wilson-1911/.

Chicago: "Joe Wilson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joe-wilson-1911/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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