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The death of legendary Chicago sportsman Chet Coppock has brought back many memories because of the long history of him and me, especially the huge role he played in my life. I would not write this and I would not broadcast on radio and television without him taking me under his wing and give an opportunity to an inexperienced Skokie child to be at it. antenna in Chicago.
Before entering broadcasting, I was a college basketball coach at Northern Illinois University from 1982 to 1986. Like many coaches, I lost my job when my head coach lost his job and I wondered aloud what I would do with my life. I knew I had to be in the sports world and I knew deep down that I wanted to be on the air. I launched a newsletter about recruiting in college basketball at which coaches and fans subscribed and, while I was trying to market it, I sent a letter to Chicago's biggest sports broadcaster that I can think of, Chet Coppock. He was on the radio five nights a week in Chicago.
I distinctly remember coming into my house and seeing the light of the message flashing on my recorder. "Hey David, ok kid, I'm going to kick it out tonight, let's talk about college basketball." Bring your game "It's Coppock Chet Coppock on Sports" . Call me back!"
Wow! I was really going to be with the one and only Coppock Chet? The Big Rock Candy Mountain itself? I knew it was a great opportunity, but I did not know at the time that this call would change my life forever. Chet Coppock gave me a shot and he would become the biggest professional influence of my career. Regularly, he made me talk about college basketball and the world of recruitment. DePaul and Illinois basketball were hot topics.
It was always a huge thing to be on his show.
Fast forward to March 1989. It's a Tuesday night, two days before the start of the NCAA tournament, and I get a call from Kevin O'Neill, assistant coach of the University of Arizona, who was closest friends of the world. KO, as we call him, calls me in the early evening to tell me that he has an excellent source telling him that Michigan basketball head coach Bill Frieder , was to be named new head coach of Arizona State the next day.
After making a handful of phone calls to confirm the story, I call Chet.
He is presenter of the show Doug Collins, head coach of the Chicago Bulls at the time. Chet comes on the phone during a commercial break and I tell him my scoop.
"I'm going to help you, but if you make a mistake, I'll bury you in this city and you'll never get a broadcaster," Chet said. "Do you still want to come in? Do you feel confident enough in your story?"
Yes, I told him.
I go on the air, reveal the news and Collins tells me that it will not happen. He is a former assistant coach at Arizona State and, like many others, did not believe the story was accurate.
The next day, the story breaks and the United States today credits "Coppock on Sports in Chicago."
From that day on, Chet had a tremendous influence on my broadcaster career and he opened doors that I would never have been able to open myself. Without him, I would never do what I'm doing today.
Rest in peace, my friend. We will always remember you as a legend.
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