Don Hein
Eyewitness Sports
Don Hein speaks from experience when he talks sports. His more than 33-year run at WTHR, covering Billy Keller to Peyton Manning and everything in between, is without peer. Hein’s distinct, tell-it-like-it-is style is featured from time-to-time on Eyewitness News since his semi-retirement five years ago.
In High School, Hein was a football, basketball and baseball standout, having been named First-Team All-State in basketball when he led his team to the championship game of the Iowa State tournament. After high school, Don attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he started for the legendary coach, Norm Stewart. It is that background that has brought Don to be the most involved sportscaster in Indiana.
In addition to being named Sportscaster of the Year three times by the Associated Press and United Press International, Hein was honored as the state’s best play-by-play announcer for nine consecutive seasons. Don also received the Distinguished Award from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and was winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for exemplary reporting. He is a member of the Indiana Sportscasters/Sportswriters Hall of Fame, the Indiana Associated Press Hall of Fame and the Indiana Television Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Don has also won acclaim from the National Association of Racing Writers and Broadcasters, special awards from the Indiana State Football and Wrestling Coaches Associations, and distinguished Media Service Award by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
Originally from Waverly, Iowa, Hein graduated with a major in speech and English from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining WTHR as Sports Director, Don worked for three years at WMBD –TV in Peoria, Illinois, with his long-time weather compatriot, Bob Gregory.
When not reporting sports for Channel 13 Eyewitness News, Don actively pursues his interests in golf, racquetball and basketball. He’s on the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Symphonic Band as well as a long-term member of the tuba section. Don and his wife, Judy have two daughters, Lisa and Amy, who are both married and live in Indianapolis along with Don's five grandchildren.
Copyright VideoIndiana Inc.
