Lake Forest Honors 1963 Grad Tim Weigel as Part of East Campus Athletic Complex

Longtime friends of the late Tim Weigel still recall his father, whom they called Daddy Weigel.

In addition to being a broadcasting pioneer, John Weigel also was a very busy parent. resident Fred Stripe recalled watching Weigel picked up his equally busy son at baseball practice.

John Weigel founded Weigel Broadcasting in the early 1960s and launched the company's flagship station, Channel 26 (WCIU-TV), in 1964.

"He would come by in the second or third inning to take Tim to a track meet,'' Stripe said.

A brain tumor claimed the talented Weigel at age 56 more than 10 years ago. But before he embarked on his sports casting career in Chicago, Weigel was quite the athlete. He clearly left a mark at , which plans to honor him by naming the new press box as part of a

"They turned over the apple cart when he came around,'' Stripe said. "He was a lot of fun."

Of course, cheering this announcement is Weigel's son, Rafer Weigel. Like father, like son, this Wiesel is a sports announcer for WLS Channel 7 in Chicago.

"It's fantastic,'' Rafer Weigel said. "It's awesome. He would have been so proud."

While Rafer attended Evanston High School, his late father would have liked to see him at Lake Forest.

"He really wanted to me to go Lake Forest,'' Weigel said. "He had very strong ties to the school."

The Weigel story is familiar to many sports fans. His broadcasting career will certainly be remembered for his "Weigel Wieners" and colorful clothing that characterized his nearly 25-year television career.

Stripe was impressed with Weigel on the football field. Both friends were members of Lake Forest High School's 1963 graduating class.

"He was a tremendous athlete,'' Stripe said. "He would hit you like a truck."

Stripe would watch Weigel play basketball, too.

"He was a great point guard, but he couldn't shoot,'' Stripe said. "He would miss everything."

When Weigel wasn't playing sports, he found a friend in Nancy Cory. When he was president of the student council, she was secretary. When he chosen king of the senior class, she was the queen. She now lives in Aspen, Colo.

"He was such a kind soul,'' Cory said. "He encompassed so many talents. He loved sports and he loved laughing. He was special. I have a dear place in my heart for Tim."

Also playing sports in this class was Frankfort resident Steve Ekdahl.

"He was a very good football player,'' Ekdahl said of Weigel. "He was muscular and very shifty. He was hard to tackle."

Ekdahl could tell at an early age that Weigel was going to do something with his life.

"Tim was a born leader,'' he said. "He was straightforward and had a sense of humor. He was honest."

Ekdahl did not lose touch with his classmate even when Weigel went east to attend Yale. He naturally followed his broadcasting career.

"He was an innovator,'' Ekdahl said. "I thought that he changed broadcasting. He brought in film clips and humor. There has been nobody like him before and since."

The press box bearing Weigel's name will bring joy to those classmates from the class of 1963.

"He was the epitome of a student,'' Cory said. "He had a bright inquisitive mind. And he was so well grounded."

Rafer Weigel noted he heard plenty of sports stories from his dad. His father stood only 5-foot-7 but it didn't seem to slow him down on the athletic field.

"He loved being a running back,'' Rafer Weigel said. "He lived hard and he played hard."