Paul Imgrund
Class of 2016
Paul Imgrund spent his first eight years of school in the one room “blue school” located at the end of Black Hollow Road near Schellsburg, and finished his high school education at Schellsburg Napier High in Schellsburg in 1952.
Paul was a member of the men’s choral group “The Shawnee Four” and was a snare drummer in the SNHS Band. Paul played and earned a letter while playing for Coach John Koza’s SNHS baseball team. Baseball was the only varsity sport at that time at the school. He later played in the Independent Softball League for the Bedford American Legion team including the 1960 championship team.
All the while he closely followed and supported his brother Larry’s stellar high school and college wrestling and coaching career. Larry is considered to be responsible for starting the wrestling program in the Philadelphia public school system. His teams captured numerous championships, and accordingly Larry is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
After graduation Paul worked for Bethlehem Steel, and knowing his number was coming up in the draft, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. Discharged from the Navy in 1957, Paul started his career in broadcasting at WBFD-AM in Bedford as an announcer and sports director.
When WBFD went on the air on July 3, 1955 they immediately began broadcasting Pittsburgh Pirate baseball, and when Paul came on board he began to promote the broadcasting of local sports as well. With much persuasion owners Hugo Frear and John Biddle agreed and the station was soon airing high school baseball, football, wrestling and basketball.
Over the years Paul remembers broadcasting with Pittsburgh Pirate announcers Bob Prince and Jim Woods on Bedford County Day, when hundreds of Bedford County fans traveled by Bollman Charter Service to a Pirate game at Forbes Field. He still fondly recalls interviews with the likes of Danny Murtaugh, Roberto Clemente, Elroy Face, Dick Groat, Willie Stargell, Chuck Tanner, and others.
Paul was able to take ownership of radio stations WBFD-AM and WAKM-FM (later known as WRAX) and this opened the door for him to add additional schools, sports and sportscasters to the airwaves including local racing, Pittsburgh Steelers football, and NASCAR.
Paul will tell you it’s hard to believe that when he stepped off that ship (The USS Coral Sea) in 1957, a career in radio broadcasting loomed on the horizon, but he humbly states those 30 years were some of the most exciting and rewarding days of his life.
Paul and Lois, his wife of 49 years, reside in Bedford. He enjoys almost daily trips to his farm and Christmas tree fields, and he looks forward to visits from the “kids”, which includes their daughter Jill and her husband Dave; their son Jon and wife Kristen; and their six grandchildren.
Paul was a member of the men’s choral group “The Shawnee Four” and was a snare drummer in the SNHS Band. Paul played and earned a letter while playing for Coach John Koza’s SNHS baseball team. Baseball was the only varsity sport at that time at the school. He later played in the Independent Softball League for the Bedford American Legion team including the 1960 championship team.
All the while he closely followed and supported his brother Larry’s stellar high school and college wrestling and coaching career. Larry is considered to be responsible for starting the wrestling program in the Philadelphia public school system. His teams captured numerous championships, and accordingly Larry is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
After graduation Paul worked for Bethlehem Steel, and knowing his number was coming up in the draft, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. Discharged from the Navy in 1957, Paul started his career in broadcasting at WBFD-AM in Bedford as an announcer and sports director.
When WBFD went on the air on July 3, 1955 they immediately began broadcasting Pittsburgh Pirate baseball, and when Paul came on board he began to promote the broadcasting of local sports as well. With much persuasion owners Hugo Frear and John Biddle agreed and the station was soon airing high school baseball, football, wrestling and basketball.
Over the years Paul remembers broadcasting with Pittsburgh Pirate announcers Bob Prince and Jim Woods on Bedford County Day, when hundreds of Bedford County fans traveled by Bollman Charter Service to a Pirate game at Forbes Field. He still fondly recalls interviews with the likes of Danny Murtaugh, Roberto Clemente, Elroy Face, Dick Groat, Willie Stargell, Chuck Tanner, and others.
Paul was able to take ownership of radio stations WBFD-AM and WAKM-FM (later known as WRAX) and this opened the door for him to add additional schools, sports and sportscasters to the airwaves including local racing, Pittsburgh Steelers football, and NASCAR.
Paul will tell you it’s hard to believe that when he stepped off that ship (The USS Coral Sea) in 1957, a career in radio broadcasting loomed on the horizon, but he humbly states those 30 years were some of the most exciting and rewarding days of his life.
Paul and Lois, his wife of 49 years, reside in Bedford. He enjoys almost daily trips to his farm and Christmas tree fields, and he looks forward to visits from the “kids”, which includes their daughter Jill and her husband Dave; their son Jon and wife Kristen; and their six grandchildren.
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County Sports
Hall of Fame
Class of 2016