Clare Rampton (1994) - Hall of Fame

Clare Rampton

Induction:
1994

Clare Rampton, a native of LaPorte City, Iowa, was known as the Voice of Panther Athletics for more than 26 years.

In 1950, he graduated from the University of Pacific in Stockton, Calif., with a degree in radio and speech. He was employed by KTUR radio in Turlock, Calif., as staff announcer and sports editor. Rampton accepted a position later that year at KWWL Radio in Waterloo, where he handled all major high school and college sports as play-by-play reporter. He was given additional duties as sports director for KWWL television from 1953 to 1956.

The following year, he joined the sales force for Rath Packing Company in Waterloo. He became sales promotion coordinator for Rath's in 1964 and held the position for 20 years. As Voice of the Panthers, he was heard on KUNI-KHKE Radio, KCFI, KWLO, WHO in Des Moines and as part of a six-station Northern Iowa Sports Network, originated by KOEL Radio. He also spent 17 years Voice of the Cattle Congress, 13 years as master of ceremonies for the sports show held each spring in the UNI-Dome and acted as master of ceremonies for the Hall of Fame banquet for the first eight years of the ceremony.

Rampton said he decided to go into radio because "he didn't want to do manual labor for the rest of my life." A very loyal Panther fan, he once said he sometimes "think with my heart instead of my head and get into the game more than I should."