Joe Edwards, a renowned sportscaster, had a distinguished career in broadcasting, notably at WFML and WAMW radio stations in Washington, IN. He was recognized as Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1972 and served as General Manager of these stations for over 30 years. Edwards also held leadership roles, including President of the Indiana Society of Sportswriters and Sportscasters during the 1966-67 basketball season.
Joe Edwards was born in March 1920 in Flora, IL. He began his media career in 1937 at the Washington (IN) Herald and later became a full-time sportswriter at the rival Washington Democrat.
In 1942, Edwards joined the Army Air Corps and served in Africa during World War II.
After his military service, he returned to the Washington Herald in 1946 to help launch WFML-FM, marking the beginning of his involvement in radio broadcasting.
Edwards transitioned into sportscasting, providing live basketball coverage for over 34 years, and was appointed General Manager in 1951, a position he held for 30 years. In addition to his managerial role, he continued to announce area basketball and football games, as well as other sporting and civic events.
Edwards expanded his responsibilities by becoming the General Manager of WAMW in 1956. His leadership and contributions to sports broadcasting were acknowledged when he was named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1972.
The evolution of WAMW-WFML and its impact on the Washington, IN community was extensively documented by Dennis M. Daily (1947-2024). Daily covered the 1986 sale of the stations to Bob Green, who moved them to Vincennes. In response, Daily filed an application with the FCC to establish a new FM station in Washington, which led to the FCC assigning 107.9 FM to the area in 1987, with William A. “Bill” Greene later receiving a license to operate the station.
Edwards also received a 40-Year Service Award from the Indiana Association of Coaches. Edwards was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1989, further solidifying his legacy in Indiana broadcasting.
Throughout his career, Edwards demonstrated a commitment to both sports journalism and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on the broadcasting landscape in Indiana. Joe Edwards died in February 1990.
