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Chicago broadcaster legend Chester "Chet" Coppock, who had a storied career covering sports on Chicago Radio and TV passed away due to injuries suffered in a Georgia car accident on 4/11, his family announced today. Coppock was 70 years old at the time of his passing yesterday, surrounded by his family. He was very much a living legend in the Windy City, where he won several Emmys and was inducted into the city's Broadcaster Hall of Fame. Countless tributes to Coppock have come out this morning with many more to come.
Pro Wrestling was a small portion of Coppock's career. He had AWA competitors on his radio show regularly in Chicago to help promote live events that were taking place in Comiskey Park.
Coppock, who was a lifelong fan of pro wrestling, credited it with his on air bluster. In a 1993 interview with The Chicago Tribune, he noted, "Wrestling uses gimmickry and flamboyance, and so do I. The Coppockese, if you will. The guest buildups, the long questions, the rising and lowering of the voice. Just like my idol, Gorgeous George, there's this part of me that wants to be in the spotlight, that is always seeking approval."
Coppock was also the ring announcer for the Chicago portion of WWF's second Wrestlemania in 1986 and made at least one radio appearance doing announcing for WWF's Radio show, commentating with Gorilla Monsoon for a radio broadcast of Wrestlemania X in 1994 in NYC. He also handled local promotional interviews pushing WWF events in Chicago in the late 1980s.
Coppock also regularly had pro wrestling personalities when he worked as host for cable broadcast station NewSporTalk, including Randy Savage, Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels:
Coppock still popped up occasionally at pro wrestling events and even appeared as a surprise ring announcer several months ago for Chicago's Berwyn Championship Wrestling:
Coppock's daughter Lyndsey announced his passing, writing on her Facebook page, "We lost our father, Chet Coppock, on April 17th due to complications from injuries he sustained in a car accident outside Hilton Head, SC. His passing is untimely, unexpected and painfully sad, but all we can do at this time is remember how lucky we were to have such a unique and creative trailblazer help shape into the adults we know he was so incredibly proud of. Our father’s wishes were to have a memorial service for friends and family to reflect on good times and to laugh, sharing memories of the past. When we have those details we will share them as soon as possible. Life is too short and you are never promised another day. Tell your friends and family you love them, you never know when your last moments with them will be. We love you, Dad, and we are so proud of you."
Everyone at PWInsider.com extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Chet Coppock.
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