On the radio and on television, Red Parton was the enthusiastic voice behind local sports. Parton was the first broadcaster to be inducted into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame.

 

His career behind the microphone and in front of the camera spanned seven decades of service to many local broadcast stations. He was the sports voice on WOLF, WSYR, WTKO radio and was a play-by-play announcer for Syracuse University and Le Moyne College games. Parton enjoyed a large following in television as well. He served as a sports director, anchor and reporter for WNYS-TV, WSYR-TV and WIXT-TV.

 

In addition to his numerous broadcasting awards and honors, Parton is a member of several community and professional groups. He has been inducted into the Syracuse Bowling Association Hall of Fame (1988), Syracuse Press Club Wall of Fame (2001) and the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame (2003).

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1939: Staff announcer, WSYR

 

1940: WOLF radio Sports Director

 

1942-1946: U.S. Air Force; Announcer for Denver University football team

 

1946: Sports Information Director – University of Connecticut

 

1947: Syracuse Chiefs announcer. WSYR-TV Sports Director

 

1947-1948: Syracuse University basketball play-by-play announcer, WOLF

 

1947-1955: Le Moyne College basketball announcer, WOLF

 

1950-1951: Syracuse University football announcer

 

1953-1988: I.R.A. Regatta ship-to-shore announcer

 

1959: WNDR news editor

 

1964: WNYS-TV sports announcer

 

1965: WPAW President and General Manager

 

1967: WTKO Ithaca College football announcer, also from 1971-1984

 

1968-1973: WIXT Sports Director

 

1968-1970: Syracuse University football announcer, WSYR and SU Radio Network

 

1977-1986: WSYR-TV host of Syracuse Bowls

 

1981-1984: WSYR color commentator SU basketball

 

1987: Received the Blind Men and Criers annual “Edward J Kearney Award” for service to the community

 

1981-1988: Boxing announcer Empire State Games

 

1987: WIXT-TV Syracuse Bowls announcer

 

Community/ Professional Memberships and Accomplishments:

 

U.S. Harness, Basketball and Bowling Writers Associations. Publicity Director, Syracuse Nationals. Two-time President, Syracuse Press Club. President Vernon Chapter, U.S. Harness Writers Association, 1974. President Syracuse Executives Association, 1979. President, Syracuse Bowling Association, 1982. Member of Blind Men & Criers, S.U.