The Kingston Stadium press box will be named in honor of broadcaster Bob Brooks.
Dr. Dave Benson, District Superintendent, has named area broadcasting legend Bob Brooks to be the charter member of the new Kingston Stadium Hall of Fame. To honor Brooks, the District is naming the stadium press box the BOB BROOKS PRESS BOX.
“The Kingston Hall of Fame allows the school district to consider some of the significant contributions made to the success of athletic, activities, and co-curricular programs at Kingston Stadium,” noted Benson. “It’s my honor to congratulate Bob Brooks as the first recipient of this recognition. There could be no more appropriate charter member.”
Brooks was nominated by a community committee. In considering and recommending the honor to the Superintendent, the District Activities Council reviewed the scope, commitment, and longevity of his contributions.
“We are pleased to be able to honor Mr. Brooks in this manner,” said Scott Kibby, Activities Council Chairman. “His promotion of high school activities for more than 60 years through his broadcasting has created numerous memories for those students and their families.”
Brooks’ 67-year broadcasting career has included coverage ranging from high school athletics to the Olympics. He was the first to broadcast football games from Hill Park at what was then Roosevelt High School in 1948. He was also the first to broadcast from the Kingston Stadium press box in 1952.
His illustrious career has already been recognized with Hall of Fame inductions by the Iowa Broadcasters Association, Iowa High School Football Association, Iowa Hall of Pride, Iowa Speed Skating organization, Cedar Rapids Washington High School, Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Club.
Additionally he is an eight-time winner of the Iowa Sportscaster of the Year Award, and has received the Chris Schenkel Award from the National College Football Foundation and the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame, the Golden Mike Award, a Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting Award, and the Learfield Sports Award for serving 50 years as the voice of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Bob is the icon of high school sports in Cedar Rapids and of Kingston Stadium,” noted Bill Happel, a member of the nominating committee. “Naming the press box in his honor is something that will certainly be cheered by our entire community.”
The funds needed to print the new name on the press box will be donated by community members, through the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation. Monies collected through the “Bob Brooks Fund” will also help to fund programs for students in the communication field.
The Bob Brooks Press Box will be officially unveiled during a special ceremony honoring Brooks on Friday, September 30. The recognition will take place during halftime of the Jefferson and Kennedy football game. The community is also invited to join in a pre-game reception, hosted by the nominating committee, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium