Hap Glaudi
Encyclopedia
Lloyd A. "Hap" Glaudi was lead sportscaster for New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-TV
. He was part of a trio of colorful sportscasters that graced the airwaves in New Orleans for the decades beginning in the 1960s extending up until almost 2000. The trio included Glaudi, Wayne Mack
of the New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU-TV, and Buddy Diliberto of then New Orleans ABC affiliate WVUE-TV. All three had distinct personas, fitting of New Orleans's unique culture, with Glaudi being known as the "Dean of New Orleans Sportscasters". Photographs of Hap Glaudi appear at the Radio Theatre of New Orleans website.
, giving him his first connection to institutions owned and operated by the Society of Jesus
. It was at Jesuit High School that Glaudi earned the moniker "Hap", as he was always happy and that characterization was contracted to "Hap". Fellow broadcaster Ron Brocato reported that Glaudi himself financed his high school education through fortunate winnings at the horse race track. Brocato reported, "He [Glaudi] earned his tuition betting on a winning longshot at the Fair Grounds
given to him by a bookie.”
Glaudi continued to higher education at Loyola University of New Orleans, maintaining strong ties to the Society of Jesus
. Glaudi commenced his professional journalism career with the now defunct New Orleans Item newspaper, one of two major daily afternoon newspapers serving New Orleans at the time. During Glaudi's 25-year tenure with the Item, Glaudi became feature sportswriter for high school sports in the Greater New Orleans area, endearing him to many locals. Prep sports, together with horse racing, became particular areas of passion for Glaudi as a sports journalist. Healthy competition at the time between Glaudi and New Orleans Times-Picayune
sports writer N. Charles Wicker made this a "Golden Age of Prep Sports", according to journalist Brocato's reports.
, true to his Jesuit roots. During this time, WWL-TV emerged as the premier local television news station in New Orleans, with Glaudi as lead sportscaster. As WWL-TV's evening news long remained at the top of the local television ratings, and with Glaudi handling the sports portion of the evening news, the local broadcast community informally dubbed Glaudi the "Dean of New Orleans Sportscasters". With a soft spot for horse racing and prep sports, these remained a focal point of Glaudi's broadcasts, continuing even after the arrival of the New Orleans Saints
to the market in 1967.
He was often teamed with newscasters Garland Robinette
and Angela Hill as well as meteorologist Al Duckworth, providing a team chemistry with considerable appeal to the New Orleans broadcasting market. A flavor for Hap Glaudi's distinct style is easily seen in WWL-TV's own video report of Glaudi's death on December 29, 1989. He was succeeded on WWL-TV by Jim Henderson
. A history of New Orleans television, including Glaudi and the WWL-TV news team of the 60s and 70s has been published.
WWL (AM) being a 50,000 watt "clear-channel station", Glaudi's radio broadcasts were heard through much of the United States and even into Ontario, Canada. It was a result of his AM radio broadcasts that Glaudi began to have national exposure.
New Orleans during the 1960s suffered a deep racial divide that extended into prep sports. Publicly prodded by Glaudi, then predominately white Jesuit High School and then predominately African-American St. Augustine High School
agreed to play each other in high school basketball in 1965, being the two top New Orleans area prep basketball teams. This event commenced the end of the racial divide in high school sports in the New Orleans area. This event inspired the made-for-television movie Passing Glory
.
Jesuit High School (New Orleans) offers a Lloyd (Hap) Glaudi Scholarship.
in a bit part. A common practice at the time was for the major networks to select individuals that they perceived as local celebrities to take bit parts in the parent network's popular television shows both to promote their show and their affiliates.
Glaudi lived in New Orleans all of his life, with his wife Millie and three daughters, who maintain close ties to the Greater New Orleans area.
WWL-TV
WWL-TV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, southeast Louisiana and parts of southern and coastal Mississippi, and is the primary CBS station for South and Coastal Mississippi. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 36...
. He was part of a trio of colorful sportscasters that graced the airwaves in New Orleans for the decades beginning in the 1960s extending up until almost 2000. The trio included Glaudi, Wayne Mack
Wayne Mack
Wayne Mack was host of 1960s WDSU-TV, Channel 6, New Orleans, Louisiana children's show that showed the “Three Stooges” shorts. His on screen persona was the "Great McNutt” and he dressed in movie director's garb, along with a large megaphone...
of the New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU-TV, and Buddy Diliberto of then New Orleans ABC affiliate WVUE-TV. All three had distinct personas, fitting of New Orleans's unique culture, with Glaudi being known as the "Dean of New Orleans Sportscasters". Photographs of Hap Glaudi appear at the Radio Theatre of New Orleans website.
Early life and education
A life-long resident of New Orleans, Lloyd A. Glaudi was born on November 7, 1912. He attended Jesuit High School (New Orleans)Jesuit High School (New Orleans)
Jesuit High School is an all-male Catholic high school in New Orleans, Louisiana. The school was founded in 1847. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans....
, giving him his first connection to institutions owned and operated by the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
. It was at Jesuit High School that Glaudi earned the moniker "Hap", as he was always happy and that characterization was contracted to "Hap". Fellow broadcaster Ron Brocato reported that Glaudi himself financed his high school education through fortunate winnings at the horse race track. Brocato reported, "He [Glaudi] earned his tuition betting on a winning longshot at the Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
given to him by a bookie.”
Glaudi continued to higher education at Loyola University of New Orleans, maintaining strong ties to the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
. Glaudi commenced his professional journalism career with the now defunct New Orleans Item newspaper, one of two major daily afternoon newspapers serving New Orleans at the time. During Glaudi's 25-year tenure with the Item, Glaudi became feature sportswriter for high school sports in the Greater New Orleans area, endearing him to many locals. Prep sports, together with horse racing, became particular areas of passion for Glaudi as a sports journalist. Healthy competition at the time between Glaudi and New Orleans Times-Picayune
New Orleans Times-Picayune
The Times-Picayune is a daily newspaper published in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.-History:Established as The Picayune in 1837 by Francis Lumsden and George Wilkins Kendall, the paper's initial price was one picayune—a Spanish coin equivalent to 6¼¢ .Under Eliza Jane Nicholson, who inherited the...
sports writer N. Charles Wicker made this a "Golden Age of Prep Sports", according to journalist Brocato's reports.
Television broadcasting career
Hap Glaudi's transition to broadcast journalism coincided with the rise of local television news, as afternoon daily newspapers declined in circulation. Glaudi became WWL-TV's lead sportscaster in 1964, a tenure that would extend until 1978. It is noteworthy that Jesuit-educated Glaudi would sign on professionally with then Jesuit-owned WWL-TVWWL-TV
WWL-TV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, southeast Louisiana and parts of southern and coastal Mississippi, and is the primary CBS station for South and Coastal Mississippi. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 36...
, true to his Jesuit roots. During this time, WWL-TV emerged as the premier local television news station in New Orleans, with Glaudi as lead sportscaster. As WWL-TV's evening news long remained at the top of the local television ratings, and with Glaudi handling the sports portion of the evening news, the local broadcast community informally dubbed Glaudi the "Dean of New Orleans Sportscasters". With a soft spot for horse racing and prep sports, these remained a focal point of Glaudi's broadcasts, continuing even after the arrival of the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
to the market in 1967.
He was often teamed with newscasters Garland Robinette
Garland Robinette
Garland Robinette is a journalist in the New Orleans area. He currently is host of "The Think Tank" on New Orleans radio station WWL ....
and Angela Hill as well as meteorologist Al Duckworth, providing a team chemistry with considerable appeal to the New Orleans broadcasting market. A flavor for Hap Glaudi's distinct style is easily seen in WWL-TV's own video report of Glaudi's death on December 29, 1989. He was succeeded on WWL-TV by Jim Henderson
Jim Henderson (Sportscaster)
Jim Henderson is an American sportscaster, currently employed with the New Orleans television station WWL-TV Since May 1, 1978. He covers a range of output, from sports coverage to fishing. He is also the radio voice of the New Orleans Saints....
. A history of New Orleans television, including Glaudi and the WWL-TV news team of the 60s and 70s has been published.
Other work
Glaudi added radio to his broadcasting outlets featuring affiliated radio station WWL (AM), which broadcasted New Orleans Saints football games. Glaudi provided post-game analysis in the form of a call-in radio show variously named "Hap's Fifth Quarter" or "Hap's Point After", in addition to other broadcasting duties for WWL. Outspoken and passionate though he was about the Saints, Glaudi never took issue with even the most opinionated and overbearing of callers.WWL (AM) being a 50,000 watt "clear-channel station", Glaudi's radio broadcasts were heard through much of the United States and even into Ontario, Canada. It was a result of his AM radio broadcasts that Glaudi began to have national exposure.
New Orleans during the 1960s suffered a deep racial divide that extended into prep sports. Publicly prodded by Glaudi, then predominately white Jesuit High School and then predominately African-American St. Augustine High School
St. Augustine High School (New Orleans)
St. Augustine High School or "St. Aug" is an all-boys parochial high school in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It was founded in 1951 and covers grades 6 through 12 .-History:...
agreed to play each other in high school basketball in 1965, being the two top New Orleans area prep basketball teams. This event commenced the end of the racial divide in high school sports in the New Orleans area. This event inspired the made-for-television movie Passing Glory
Passing Glory
Passing Glory is a 1999 basketball-drama film, written by Harold Sylvester, and directed by Steve James. This movie stars Andre Braugher, Rip Torn, and Sean Squire. The film also features a speaking role by Arthur Agee, the subject of the documentary "Hoop Dreams", also directed by Steve James...
.
Jesuit High School (New Orleans) offers a Lloyd (Hap) Glaudi Scholarship.
Personal life
Glaudi appeared in a 1964 episode of CBS-TV's hit show GunsmokeGunsmoke
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
in a bit part. A common practice at the time was for the major networks to select individuals that they perceived as local celebrities to take bit parts in the parent network's popular television shows both to promote their show and their affiliates.
Glaudi lived in New Orleans all of his life, with his wife Millie and three daughters, who maintain close ties to the Greater New Orleans area.