Celebrating a Local Legend: Honoring Sports Broadcaster Mark Weiler

For more than three decades, the sound of local sports in southeastern Illinois has carried a familiar warmth, energy, and unmistakable passion. That voice belongs to Mark Weiler, a longtime member of the Forcht Broadcasting family whose dedication to community athletics has made him a fixture in Olney, Newton, and beyond.

From the first tip-off he ever called to the most recent final out, Mark’s work has been about more than sports broadcasting. It has been about connection. For 35 years and counting, he has served WSEI, WVLN, and WIKK with an unwavering commitment to storytelling, sportsmanship, and celebrating the athletes who make our communities proud.

A Career Built on Passion and Persistence

Mark began his journey with our stations more than three decades ago, quickly becoming a trusted and familiar voice to listeners. With over 30 years dedicated specifically to sports broadcasting, his play-by-play has echoed through gymnasiums, ballparks, and living rooms across the region.

His resume is filled with milestones that speak not only to longevity, but excellence:

• 21 years as the voice of Olney Tigers Basketball
• 20 years covering Tigers Baseball
• 1,000+ high school baseball and basketball games, including coverage of the Lady Tigers of Olney and the Lady Eagles of Newton
• 15 years announcing for Olney Central College Blue Knights Men’s and Women’s Basketball
• 700+ Blue Knights basketball games
• 100 Blue Knights baseball games
• 50 junior high regional, state, and tournament matchups
• 10 Olney Tigers regional and sectional games
• More than 2,000 total sporting events broadcast in just the last 25 years

Whether courtside or in the press box, Mark has brought insight, excitement, and authenticity to every call.

Recognized by His Peers and His Community

Mark’s contributions have not gone unnoticed.
In 2022, he was honored with the Tom Bryant Memorial Award – Friends of the Game by the South-Central Basketball Officials Association, recognizing his positive impact on athletes, coaches, and officials alike.

He is also a 12-time recipient of the Best Sports Broadcaster Award from the Forcht Broadcasting Group — a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication he brings to every broadcast.

More Than a Broadcaster

What sets Mark apart is not just his experience or the number of games he has called, but the connection he creates with listeners. His voice has guided new fans, celebrated senior nights, carried heartbreak and triumph, and brought communities together around the teams they love.

For the families of athletes, Mark has been the narrator of some of their most cherished memories. For listeners, he has been a trusted companion on late-night drives home after big wins. And for our stations, he has been an anchor — dependable, professional, and endlessly passionate.

Thank You, Mark

Everyone at Forcht Media is proud to celebrate the legacy and ongoing work of Mark Weiler. His dedication to local athletics and to the craft of broadcasting is a shining example of what local media can be at its best.

Please join us in congratulating Mark on an extraordinary career — and in cheering him on as he continues to bring the game to life for our communities.