Sports Hits

Category: Chronicle Archives Published on Thursday, 20 July 2006 20:00 Written by Michigan Chronicle

      Former sports editor and columnist Larry Casey paid a visit recently to where he first began his career – the Michigan Chronicle. Casey, who is now retired and lives in Chicago, was in Detroit as part of a group touring the Motor City.

In the summer following his junior year at Highland Park High School in 1949, Casey began working as a sports reporter with the Michigan Chronicle, covering high school sports as well as amateur sporting events. Upon graduating from Highland Park in June 1950, he enrolled in Highland Park Junior College and continued working at the Chronicle.

Casey then served in the United States Air Force from July 1952 to 1956. After returning home from Germany, he enrolled at Wayne State University with the intent of receiving a degree in journalism and resumed working at the Chronicle. Casey eventually became the sports editor of the Chronicle, where he covered all sports and wrote a daily sports column.

Casey moved to Chicago and was the Chicago Defender’s sports editor and daily columnist in the early 1960’s. He joined Chicago Today in 1969 when he began covering the Chicago Bulls and prep sports. From 1974 to 1993, Casey worked for the Chicago Tribune covering prep sports.

      Casey married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara, in 1957, and their union produced four children. Larry and Barbara will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2007.

      Recently, Casey and Kenny McReynolds joined the celebration honoring Chicago Defender sports editor Larry Gross and photographer Worsom Robinson, who received “Friends of Basketball” tributes at the Chicago Public League Coaches Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Hawthorne Race Track.