Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Daniel C. Park was a long-time Hoosier broadcaster who helped start the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the state-wide organization devoted to the advancement of Indiana radio and television stations.

Park was the Sales Manager for WIRE radio in Indianapolis in 1948 when a group of broadcasters got together to start the IBA. Representatives from 43 radio and television stations, roughly 80% of Indiana broadcasters at the time, met at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis to put the organization together. 

Park was elected secretary-treasurer of the newly-formed Indiana Broadcasters’ Association. C. Bruce McConnell of WISH radio served as the first president.

The IBA was formed to “promote co-operation among member stations, foster the development of the art of broadcasting and to encourage the development of practices and standards that will be in the best interest of the public and the broadcasting industry.”

Park and the others also saw the IBA as a “co-ordinating agency” for major broadcast events. That role became important immediately because of the popularity of Indiana high school basketball. Radio listeners not only wanted to hear the tournament games, they wanted their local sports announcers to broadcast the games.

Park was President of the IBA in 1952 when the IHSAA turned to the organization to help co-ordinate tournament coverage from Butler Fieldhouse. Three television stations broadcast the games, as well as crews from 32 Indiana radio stations. Each station sent an engineer, a play-by-play announcer, and a color commentator. 

The Indianapolis Star reported the statewide coverage of the 1952 High School Basketball Tournament was handled “with a thoroughness matched only by top national sports events.”

Park served two terms as president of the Indiana Broadcasters Association.

In addition to his work at WIRE radio and the IBA, Park was also a co-founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him director of the National Highway Safety Council, and Park also served as president of the Indiana Traffic Safety Council.

June 2025