HEEDING THE CALL TO FLORIDA FORMER SPORTS BROADCASTER WIL HAMPTON REFLECTS ON COLORFUL CAREER Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided
Wil Hampton has always loved journalism, sports, and telling stories. It’s something the former WISH-TV Channel 8 sports broadcaster never gets tired of. “I have always loved the opportunity to tell someone’s story,” Hampton says. “I loved game day, whether it was a youth baseball game, high school sports, the Colts or the Indy 500. There’s nothing quite like the rush of covering an event, meeting deadlines and telling a great story.”
When Mark threw it to me, I said; ‘Mark, while I appreciate the distinction, these are the true mayors of Muncie.’ I think Dad enjoyed that.” Hampton says his grandfather also served as a mayor of Muncie. Like his grandfather, Hampton has also had an interest in local politics, and has served as a Noblesville city councilman, “I started serving January 1, 2016, after winning a tough race in 2015,” Hampton says. “I was re-elected in 2019, and will serve until July 30, 2021, when we move to Florida. I served as president in 2020.”
Originally from Muncie, Hampton is the son of John and Rachael Hampton. He went to Burris High School and the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss, where he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Hampton knew a career in journalism would allow him to interview a wide variety of interesting people.
Hampton thoroughly enjoyed his time as a city councilman.
“I really enjoyed meeting the people who worked so hard to reach a goal and helping them showcase their accomplishments on the (WISHTV) sportscast that night,” Hampton says. “I especially loved the community aspect of high school sports; small towns, big cities coming together to support the local kids who play the games we love.”
Hampton noted that he really likes the one-on-one connections with neighbors he has met over the years.
Hampton has a lot of favorite TV memories. “It’s tough to name just a couple,” he says. “There are so many with the Colts, Pacers, NBA Finals, college sports, World Series coverage, Indy 500s, etc., but I will point out two. “When Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500 in 1998, after 20 years of coming so close, the 3-car finally won,” he says. “Dale joined me live on my sportscast from Daytona. I remember him walking up — while I was on the air live — giving me a big hug around the neck and saying, ‘Can you believe this Wil? We just won the Daytona 500.’ Pretty cool.” Hampton’s other favorite memory involves his former co-worker, sports broadcaster Mark Patrick.
“I just enjoyed being involved in Noblesville’s growth,” Hampton says. “A lot is happening. Bringing the Levinson to downtown — with a look that fits our history — was a big deal.”
“I remember one resident who called me out to his house to show me a tree that was being threatened by a new development,” Hampton says. “The tree was just outside the buffer and in danger of being cut down by the new housing project, but I worked with the developer to save the tree. A small thing, but I learned that it’s the seemingly small things that are important. I’ve always felt you should try to help when and where you can.” Hampton is stepping down from his job as a city councilman to start a new job in Florida. “I am the associate director of athletics at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida,” he says. “The campus is about 25 miles directly east of Naples. Ave is an authentic Catholic university of about 1,200 students, where about 600 of them are athletes. “ Hampton noted that it’s an opportunity to return to the world of sports but be in a position to help young men and women reach their dreams and goals.
“Some people remember Mark Patrick used to call me the mayor of Muncie when he tossed it to me in the field. Well, one time I “I will be lead administrator for football, men’s basketball, baseball, had arranged for the current and several former Mayors of Muncie, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis and swimming,” including my dad, to join me live at the Muncie basketball sectional. he says. “I will also help with fundraising and sponsorship sales. No 10 / NOBLESVILLE MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com
