By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – For decades, Jim Lampley has been a fixture in the world of sports broadcasting, lending his iconic voice to some of the most memorable moments in athletic history. Now, the legendary announcer has teamed up with his longtime friend and fellow UNC alum Art Chansky to chronicle his remarkable journey in a new book titled “It Happened.”
On Saturday morning, Lampley and Chansky sat down in McIntyre’s Books in Fearrington Village to discuss the process of bringing this highly anticipated book to life, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a sports broadcasting legend.
The Chance Encounter That Sparked a Lifelong Friendship
Lampley and Chansky’s paths first crossed over 50 years ago, when they were both students at the University of North Carolina. Chansky, a journalism major, and Lampley, an RTVMP (Radio, Television, and Motion Picture) major, struck up a friendship that would endure for decades.
“We stuck up a friendship with like he did with a number of people who he’s reconnected since he moved back to Chapel Hill, including Bob Holiday and Alex Julian and so many others too,” Chansky recalled.
The two men stayed in touch over the years, even as their careers took them in different directions. Lampley went on to become a trailblazer in the world of sports broadcasting, while Chansky pursued a successful career as a writer and editor.
The Moment That Changed Everything
One of the most pivotal moments in Lampley’s career came in 1974, when he became the first-ever college football sideline reporter. Chansky and their group of friends were there to witness this historic moment, and they couldn’t have been prouder.
“We were a group of us got together and I can’t tell you how proud we were to see the game come on uh at the docks next to Neyland Stadium in in Knoxville before the UCLA Tennessee season opener. in 1974,” Chansky recounted.
As the camera panned across the scene, Chansky and his friends spotted a familiar figure in the distance – a man in a yellow sport jacket, walking down the dock with a microphone in hand. It was Lampley, introducing college football to the world.
“Now in Tennessee, they have 100,000 people in their uh in their stadium. Now, not all of them, but a lot of them take take their boats, the yachts or whatever it is, and park them right next to the stadium. So Jim was there talking to some of those people, but he was camera went on and he was introducing college football in 1974,” Chansky said.
It was a moment that would forever cement Lampley’s place in sports broadcasting history, and one that Chansky and his friends were proud to witness firsthand.
A Lifetime of Firsts and Achievements
Over the course of his career, Lampley has racked up an impressive list of firsts and achievements. From his early days at ABC Sports, where he was tasked with covering the “wacky esoteric wide world of sports events,” to his groundbreaking work in the world of endurance sports, Lampley has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of sports broadcasting.
“It’s absurd how many things he’s done in sports. And that’s because he’s talented, gets opportunity after opportunity, and he’s a workaholic, right? He’s a workaholic,” Chansky said.
One of Lampley’s most notable achievements was his pioneering work in the world of ultra-endurance sports, including the Ironman Triathlon and the Race Across America. Chansky recounted the moment when Lampley was first sent to cover the Ironman Triathlon in Honolulu, and the skepticism he faced from his superiors.
“The first question the executives wanted me to cover is, does this actually happen? Can you can you verify and validate to us that people actually do go into the water and swim two and a half miles and then ride a bike 112 and a half miles and then run a marathon all continuously in one package,” Lampley said.
But Lampley quickly proved the doubters wrong, and went on to cover the Ironman Triathlon and other endurance events for years, helping to bring these sports to a wider audience.
One of the most iconic moments Lampley covered was the 1982 Ironman Triathlon, when a young woman named Julie Moss collapsed just short of the finish line. Lampley described the dramatic scene, which became a defining moment in the history of the sport.
“She’s still the leader among the women. And as she’s lying there, her body evacuates all her fluids. It’s a, you know, in some ways a disturbing scene, but officials want to give her every chance to finish. And as she’s lying there, another San Diego woman named Kathleen McCartney came running by,” Lampley said.
The image of Moss struggling to reach the finish line, and the officials’ decision to allow McCartney to cross first, became a powerful symbol of the human spirit and the endurance of the human body.
A Book Born from Friendship and Storytelling
As Lampley’s career continued to soar, Chansky remained a close friend and confidant. It was during one of their regular lunches that Chansky had the idea for Lampley to write a book.
“I guess it was the second lunch when I said, ‘Jim, you know, you need to write a book.’ And he said, I’m not a writer. I’m a broadcaster. I said, ‘No, you need to write a book so your stories live forever,’” Chansky recalled.
Lampley was initially hesitant, but Chansky persisted, suggesting that he could start with a podcast series instead. This compromise ultimately led to the creation of “It Happened,” as Lampley began sharing his scripts and stories with Chansky, who then helped shape them into a cohesive book.
“It took about a year. Did it take about a year for you to say hello? Yes, we’ll do it. So, and I’ve done a lot of books, so I was connected. I knew some agents, knew some publishers, and we found an agent. We found a publisher. And Jim knew exactly what he wanted the title to be,” Chansky said.
The book-writing process was a collaborative effort, with Chansky drawing on his experience as a writer and editor to help organize Lampley’s stories and ensure they were presented in the most compelling way possible.
“My job was to get the book in the proper order. So the big book that was a big story and each of the chapters you know in the book were smaller stories that led us you know to through his career and to deal with the publisher because you spoke their language. Yes. I did not,” Chansky explained.
The result is a book that captures the essence of Lampley’s career, from his early days as a college sideline reporter to his tenure as the “face and voice of championship boxing on HBO.” Chansky’s role as a collaborator and editor was crucial in bringing these stories to life in a way that is both engaging and informative.
A Lasting Legacy and a Continued Friendship
As Lampley and Chansky continue to promote “It Happened” and share their stories with audiences across the country, they are both struck by the enduring impact of their friendship and the power of storytelling.
“Everywhere, you know, all these sports that I saw growing up and so forth. So, I think enjoyable read is the is the comment that we get most of the time,” Chansky said.
For Lampley, the book represents a chance to reflect on his remarkable career and the many opportunities he’s been given over the years. But it’s also a testament to the power of friendship and the importance of preserving one’s legacy.
“Um I could not have done this without Art’s assistance and organizational acumen. Um but I um decided to write the book partially because art was pushing me to write the book and which was intelligent and also because I had cycled through just about everything else that you can do in communications,” Lampley said.
As Lampley and Chansky continue to promote “It Happened” and share their stories with the world, it’s clear that their friendship and their shared passion for storytelling will continue to be a driving force in their lives. For sports fans and aspiring broadcasters alike, this book is a must-read, a window into the life and career of one of the most iconic figures in the industry.
For those interested in learning more about “It Happened” or Jim Lampley’s career, the book is available for purchase at McIntyre’s Books in Fearrington Village and through major retailers. Additionally, Lampley and Chansky will be continuing their book tour, with upcoming events in New York and other cities across the country.