Relaxation In Peace, Artwork Eckman (1942-2023)
Broadcast Icon and Indelible Voice of the Sport Passes
The SuperMotocross neighborhood and the motocross trade as an entire is deeply saddened by the passing of broadcast icon Artwork Eckman. Finest identified within the racing world because the voice of the early life of the Monster Vitality AMA Supercross Championship and Professional Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Professional Racing, Eckman’s immediately recognizable candor alongside AMA Corridor of Famer David Bailey outlined the fandom and fervour of a number of generations who tuned into ESPN, ESPN 2, and ABC to look at the races.
His contributions for each Supercross and Professional Motocross broadcasts, along with internet hosting the favored MotoWorld weekly tv information journal, allowed Eckman to develop into synonymous with two-wheeled motorsports. His indelible voice is an integral a part of the soundtrack for the legendary careers of Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Jeff Stanton, Damon Bradshaw, and so many extra, whereas his mentorship helped carve a path to broadcasting for former star racers like Jeff Emig, Grant Langston, and James Stewart.
This previous April, Eckman attended the Atlanta Supercross, which gave long-time followers and colleagues an opportunity to meet up with some of the influential and beloved figures of the game.
The SMX Insiders keep in mind Artwork Eckman and have a good time his contributions to the game.
The next obituary celebrating Artwork’s unbelievable life and storied profession was supplied by the Eckman Household, anchored by his spouse of 46 years, Donna Haines Eckman, his daughters, Christine Eckman and Kara Eckman Mecke, his son-in-law, Ralph Mecke, and grandchildren, Alastair and Cedric Mecke.
ARTHUR GEORGE ECKMAN
(1942 – 2023)
Sports activities Broadcaster/Commentator, humanitarian, husband, father, grandfather and buddy ARTHUR G. ECKMAN (Artwork) died on November 4, 2023, on the age of 81. Born in Salem, Oregon, in April 1942, Artwork was the son of Harriett Wiseman Eckman and Bruce Web page Eckman.
Identified for his wealthy, deep, and infrequently stated to be ‘God-like’ voice, Artwork’s skilled profession spanned greater than 55 years within the sports activities world for which he supplied broadcasting and reporting providers for over 20 completely different sorts of sports activities. If there was a ball concerned, whether or not a soccer, basketball, baseball, bowling ball, or golf ball or if there was an engine concerned, from a motorbike to a motor boat, Artwork had the information, wherewithal, expertise and historical past to jot down or discuss it. Backside line, Artwork beloved sports activities and was a sports activities fanatic and historian.
Artwork was a 1965 graduate of Washington State College’s Edward R. Murrow Faculty of Communication and started his profession working within the newsroom at KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon. From information he segued into sports activities, turning into the Sports activities Director at KATU-TV and KEX radio the place he known as play-by-play for Oregon State soccer, basketball and triple-A baseball, twice incomes the Oregon Sportscaster of the 12 months award.
From Portland, Artwork started broadcasting for the San Diego Rockets, which after one 12 months, moved to Houston and have become generally known as the Houston Rockets. Artwork served as Director of Broadcasting for the Houston Rockets for 5 years doing play-by-play radio and TV, together with broadcasting two NBA All-Star video games on community radio.
After Houston, Artwork labored at KSFO-Radio as Sports activities Director/Anchor and as a play-by-play Announcer for the San Francisco Giants and Stanford College. From 1976 to 1978, Artwork was the Sports activities Director/Anchor for KRON-TV, broadcasting for the Oakland Raiders pre-season soccer play-by-play and was Co-host of the Kenny Stabler Present. It was right here that he was honored with the Kennedy Basis Nationwide Award for producing a collection that includes athletes with developmental disabilities.
In 1978, Artwork moved his household from San Francisco to Atlanta to develop into the Sports activities Director/Anchor for WXIA-TV till 1991. Whereas at WXIA-TV, Artwork supplied each day protection of Falcons, Hawks, Flames and Braves video games in addition to for space faculties, universities and beginner sports activities. He additionally supplied particular protection of Tremendous Bowls, Collegiate Bowls, Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, Heavyweight Championship fights, Ultimate Fours, The Masters, plus main golf, tennis, gymnastics and monitor and subject occasions.
At this level in Artwork’s distinguished profession, his skilled path took him on a number of adventures the place he was honored with many awards and acclamations together with receiving the Man of the 12 months award from the Edward R. Murrow Faculty of Broadcasting at Washington State College in 2015.
Amongst his many broadcasting duties, Artwork did play-by-play radio and tv for the Atlanta Dream/WNBA; was host announcer, producer and author for auto and boat racing; was Sportscaster/author for ESPN and ESPN2 for such occasions because the Chick-fil-A Bowl Preview Present (internet hosting with Lee Corso and Invoice Curry), was play-by-play announcer for webcast/radio and tv for Supercross/Motocross, did the MotoWorld weekly journal present serving as anchor, editor, author and producer and was pit announcer for AMA Highway Racing and CART Indy Automobiles. Moreover with ESPN and ESPN 2, Artwork known as play-by-play for Components One Tunnel-Boat Sequence, was reporter and host of the Suzuki Nice Open air program, broadcasted for Limitless Hydros and Off-Shore Boat Race Providers together with offering play-by-play for Broad World of Sports activities. He supplied commentary for Full Contact Karate, the Nice Britain Rugby League, Water Snowboarding, Professional Seashore Volleyball, Professional Snow Snowboarding and the US Squash Open. He was the play-by-play announcer for replays of ACC soccer and basketball video games.
Artwork was radio and tv announcer for the Atlanta Hawks, the ACC Basketball-Jefferson Pilot, the ACC Soccer-Raycom collection, the ACC Volleyball and Girls’s basketball packages, the Atlanta Thunder World Staff Tennis, Grand Prix Biking WATL, Georgia and Florida All-Star Excessive Faculty Soccer, Metro Convention Basketball packages; and was host of the Invoice Curry, Bobby Ross and Bobby Cremins TV reveals.
Considered one of Artwork’s favourite school groups was Georgia Tech the place Artwork served as host of the WSB Radio Tailgate Present, was a sideline reporter for WGST, and did play-by-play for WGST Tech basketball. He additionally hosted American Sports activities Radio Community’s Ultimate 4 present with Al McGuire; was a reporter for Sports activities By-Line USA, nationwide syndicated speak present. He reported from Wimbledon, the French Open and the Monaco Grand Prix. He supplied Atlanta Assault Indoor Soccer play-by-play and WGZC radio morning drive-time sports activities reviews.
Along with a full-time sports activities profession, Artwork was acquainted with the company world, lending his voice and experience to quite a few commercials, particular promotions and movies. He was keen on writing and authored quite a few characteristic articles to numerous publishers and corporations.
Within the latter a part of his sports activities profession, Artwork took particular curiosity in working with Kennesaw State College in serving to to additional develop and broaden its athletic division. At Kennesaw, Artwork served as Assistant Athletic Director and Media Relations liaison and advisor. He loved instructing workers and college students/athletes on coping with the media, together with disaster management, and he supervised the Sports activities Data Division amongst different duties.
One other one in every of Artwork’s nice loves was working with younger athletes and company executives on learn how to higher perceive their roles with the media. Consequently, he developed a collection of seminars to assist many individuals construct constructive photos and talk with the media.
Along with his love of sports activities, Artwork was identified for his humanitarian efforts. For over 35 years, he served on the Board of Administrators for InCommunity (previously generally known as enAble of Georgia) – a system of 20 group properties for mentally handicapped and autistic adults. He was former chairman of the federally mandated Advisory Board for Particular Schooling for the state of Georgia. And for 9 years, Artwork served on the Board of Administrators for Georgia Particular Olympics. He was a founding member of the Georgia Autism Society, and, for 13 years, was Director of a highschool pupil/athlete awards program during which he visited as many as 50 faculties, charities and repair teams annually. Artwork served as President and was one in every of 23 males honored with a lifetime membership within the Landing Membership of Atlanta and served as a member of the Naismith basketball awards committee. In 2010, Artwork was inducted within the Portland Public Colleges Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
Artwork is survived by his spouse, Donna Haines Eckman, in addition to two daughters, Christine Eckman and Kara Eckman Mecke together with Kara’s husband Ralph Mecke and their two kids, Alastair and Cedric Mecke.
Plans for a Celebration of Life service might be at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Peachtree Highway United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. In reminiscence of Artwork’s life and in lieu of flowers, the household suggests {that a} donation be made to InCommunity. InComunity, is a non-profit group that gives help to people with developmental disabilities. Through the years, this group has been a major a part of the Eckman household as its workers has helped Christine Eckman thrive in her neighborhood.
