Media

John Radtke

Year Inducted: 2003

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations:

 DeKalb Daily Chronicle, Elgin Courier-News, Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Biography:   John Radtke said “purity” is what made high school sports so special even though he also covered all five Chicago major league teams during his 40-plus years as a sportswriter. “Nothing compares to the purity and intimacy you get in a high school gym or on a high school field. Covering high school student-athletes and then watching as they become productive and successful adults is as good as it gets.” 

Radtke’s sports media career began as a radio broadcaster at his alma mater Burlington Central High School. He learned the ropes of the business working at the DeKalb Daily Chronicle while still in high school and joined the Elgin Courier-News staff after graduating from Judson University. He worked for the Courier-News for two stints from 1975-82 and 1987-92. He also spent time in sports marketing and minor league baseball.

Radtke joined the Daily Herald as a freelance writer for two years and was promoted to the staff full-time in 1997, where he helped the paper’s new Fox Valley bureau grow to tremendous success. He also played a significant role in growing the Daily Herald’s on-line high school presence and eventually moved into the role of high school sports editor, where he oversaw coverage of more than 100 high schools, in 2018.

Radtke’s first love was covering basketball and that dates to his youth of attending the state tournament in Champaign with his late father, John Radtke Sr., whose support and love of sports made an indelible impact. “Without his love, guidance and support, when I was 17-18 years old and beyond, I don’t know that I would be what I am today,” Radtke said. 

Radtke also founded and was the long-time coach of the Northern Illinois Lightning travel softball organization. He was in the 2014-15 class of recipients of the IHSA Distinguished Media Award.