Jimmy Crum- An Appreciation

I've learned yesterday that the longtime Columbus, Ohio sportscaster Jimmy Crum had passed away.

For 41 years, Crum gave the nightly sports report on WCMH-TV- he started at the station in 1953, when the station's call letters were WLWC (which was part of the Crosley Broadcasting group when it hit air in 1949). He was also the voice of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball, and- believe it or not- the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. During his career, and after it as well, he's supported charities such as Easter Seals; Recreation Unlimited, and several others.

But the man I've watched as a child and younger adult wore tacky jackets on air, but he also reported with integrity and honesty. He wasn't afraid to be tough on sports figures when need be. The station often times called him the "Dean of Central Ohio Sports", and I'm very sure that he was the dean of the hearts of Central Ohioans as well.

Jimmy Crum died on January 5, 2009, apparently of natural causes. He was 80.

Click on the title for the link to WCMH-TV's story on this remarkable man.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.