Paul Lennon

Paul A. Lennon Long known for his play-by-play broadcasting of Indiana University basketball, especially his opening of each telecast with the catch-phrase, ?I?ve got my ticket. Have you got yours?? Paul A. Lennon, 81, died Saturday. Born August 2, 1927 in Indianapolis, he was the second son of James D. and Marie H. Lennon. He attended School #45 and Shortridge High School and worked part time after school in the scenery department of Civic Theatre building sets and winning a college fellowship. He also worked as a copy boy at The Indianapolis Star in the early morning hours before catching a bus for his high school classes. Paul began his career on radio (WISH) as a teen in a ?soap? sponsored by the United States Navy as a recruiting show. A three-year Shortridge graduate, Paul enrolled at IU in Bloomington and was there for one year before joining the United States Navy. After serving at sea in the Pacific Theatre he returned to IU and, while a student, he worked at WSAU radio and WTTV television. He was with WTTV on November 11, 1949 when that station signed on. He received his bachelor?s degree from IU in 1950. Lennon pioneered the televising of regular season c...[more]

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ege basketball games doing play-by-play and all commercials, live, and aired the very first game of its kind on TV on December 6, 1951. For nine years he was both local sales manager and sports director for WTTV. After more than 1,000 radio and TV play-by-play broadcasts and millions in advertising sales, he founded Lennon Advertising Agency. He retired from the Agency in 1993. Additionally he owned and operated Sheraton Dinner Theatres in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, as well as owning and operating Moody Lennon Realtors. Paul received the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame Award in 2007. He is a member of the Indiana Broadcasters, the Broadcast Pioneers, Players, Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild, Gyro Club, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Old Timers Club, Service Club, Contemporary Club, IU Alumni Association and the IU Emeritus Club, The Literary Club, and Meridian Hills Country Club. He served on many committees including the Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame Committee. Paul is survived by his wife, Polly Jontz Lennon; his four sons, Brad (Anne), Rob (Chris), Deano and Brian; granddaughters Alyssa Collova (Eric), Megan Haring (Duane), Emily, and Ashley Lennon. Step-children include Pamela Alling (Rocklin), Patricia Drake, Paula Howard (Garry), Robert Drake and Mary Lee Turk. His brother Jim (Del) Lennon also survives. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia Drake Lennon and his daughter Ellen. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th Street. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may leave a personal memory of Paul, sign the guest book and in lieu of flowers contributions in Paul?s memory may be made to the Indianapolis Civic Theatre or Indiana University Foundation.