STATIONS: KTLA / WB / FSN WEST 2 / KTLK AM 1150
Entering his 27th year as the Voice of the Clippers, Ralph Lawler achieved a broadcasting milestone during the 2004-05 campaign when he called his 2,000th Clippers game at Toronto on February 13th. Ralphs enthusiastic calls of Bingo! and Fasten your Seatbelts have become familiar favorites for Clippers fans throughout Southern California. Ralphs busy schedule has him handling play-by-play duties for all televised games on KTLA/WB and FSN West 2 as well as on the Clippers flagship radio station, KTLK AM 1150, for all non-televised contests.
Lawlers list of honors include Emmy and Golden Mike Awards as well as past recognition as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year during his stint in Philadelphia at WCAU AM & TV.
The NBA has long been Lawlers great love. However, the versatile broadcaster is one of only a handful of announcers who have worked play-by-play in each of the four major pro sports leagues: NFL (San Diego Chargers), MLB (Philadelphia Phillies), NHL (Philadelphia Flyers) and NBA (76ers and Clippers). His resume also includes broadcasting events as varied as ABA and college basketball, golf, tennis, track & field, auto racing, boxing and college football. Lawler is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and was inducted into his alma maters Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Hes another in a long line of sportscasters who learned their craft in Peoria.
He spends his off-season keeping tabs on all matters involving the NBA and is a regular spectator at the L.A. Summer Pro League games in Long Beach. Each summer also includes visits to the Lawler family favorite Hawaiian Island and California desert hideaways. Recent offseason activities have included a week aboard the SS Norway as the radio host of an NBA Cruise of the Caribbean and serving as the play-by-play voice for Nintendos NBA Courtside 2002 video game.
Lawler and his wife, Jo, proudly head a family that includes three grown children and six grandchildren. The Lawlers reside in Laguna Niguel.