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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 5 39 his play-by-play broadcasts. "You never felt like you were listening to someone mo- notonous. He wasn't stuck at one level. I think that is one of the real keys at being really good. The great ones, like Joe, utilize their voice with a lot of inflection and no call is ever the same." Fischer also believes what set McConnell's career apart was his college and pro experience, as he sometimes held responsibilities with both. In fact, McConnell served as Purdue's football voice and voice of the Indianapolis Colts in 1994 and the Tennessee Oilers in '97. "You have a lot of guys who cross over (between col- lege and pro) in television, but not on radio," Fischer said. "Joe brought the same level of professionalism and the same kind of play-by-play to every radio broadcast that he ever did. I never noticed a difference in him do- ing Purdue or doing the Bears, the NBA or Major League Baseball. "His ability to work at all levels was simply amazing and unique. He had more jobs than I ever applied for." That he did. McConnell, a 1962 graduate of Franklin College, worked 23 seasons in the NFL as the voice of the Denver Broncos (1969), Minnesota Vikings (1971-76 and 1985-87), Chicago Bears (1977-84), Indianapolis Colts (1992-94) and Tennessee Oilers (1997-98). He also called play-by-play for the NBA's Phoenix Suns (1970-72) and Indiana Pacers (1972-77). He served as the voice of MLB's Minnesota Twins (1978-79) and Chicago White Sox (1980-84). He broadcast three Super Bowls, the NBA and ABA championships, the NBA All-Star Game and the American League Championship Series. McConnell also broadcast North- western football (1988), and men's basketball for Indiana State (1978- 79), DePaul (1984-88), Illinois (1987- 88), Notre Dame (1987-88) and Northwestern (1989-94). It was a résumé on par with the greatest radio announcers of all time. McConnell was a competitive, sometime irascible sort, who expected a high level of performance from those he worked with from his color guys to his statisticians. But he got along with just about everybody and felt it was his duty to always pay it forward with a willingness to help up-and-coming broadcasters. "Joe had three passions in life," said Tim Newton, who worked with McConnell at Purdue from 1995- 2009 before taking over play-by-play duties in 2010. "He loved his family, he loved Purdue and he loved the Chicago Cubs." Ironically, McConnell never worked for the Cubs and the only broadcaster he spoke somewhat unkindly about (and he didn't do it often) was legendary Cubs broad- caster Harry Caray. McConnell felt Caray blackballed him from getting an opportunity with his favorite team. But McConnell, who grew up about 30 miles north of Purdue in Goodland, Ind., was able to go full circle as a Boilermaker. He began his broadcasting career in 1962 at WBAA, Purdue's campus radio station. He served as Rates, terms & conditions effective as of 3/22/18. Subject to credit approval. Property insurance required. Other restrictions may apply, see bank for details. Offer eligible for new and renewing HELOC loans. Variable rate based on The Wall Street Journal prime rate plus a factor, currently 5.24% for a line amount of $5,000. APRs based on a loan-to-value of 80% or less, may be higher depending on certain credit factors and include a .25% rate reduction at origination for automatic payment from an Old National checking account. Max APR is 21%. Initial $50 annual fee waived. ONB associates may select the associate discount or Private Select discount, not both in addition to the promo rate. Additional closing costs may apply if title insurance is required. Balloon payment may be required to pay this loan in full. Minimum monthly payment equal to the interest that accrued on the outstanding balance during the preceding billing cycle or $50, whichever is greater. As permitted, if the line is closed within 3 years the prepayment penalty fee is the lesser of 1% of principal balance or $350. Member FDIC. 0218-037 Low Rates + No Closing Costs! Turn Your To-Do List Into Done with a Home Equity Line. Unlock your home's potential. Get started at oldnational.com/heloc or call 888-423-8373.