EdZuchelliBiography1971

KCPR Alumni: Ed Zuchelli Biography from 1971

This history comes from a 1971 promotional brochure. Thanks to Woody Goulart for transcribing it.

Ed "Zuke" Zuchelli started his broadcasting career in 1940 with classmates from Beverly Hills High School broadcasting programs over KMPC, Los Angeles. During his army career, he entertained troops both on radio and in person at army shows. In 1947, he broadcast the boxing matches from the Ocean Park Arena in Long Beach on station KFOX.

While a student at Santa Monica City College, Mr. Zuchelli was a sports announcer on KCRW-FM. It was there, under the guidance of Jean and Hal Owens, that he launched his career in TV on channel 9 in Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Owens encouraged Mr. Zuchelli to go to the University of Pacific at Stockton to develop his talents. While in Southern California, Mr. Zuchelli also did freelance radio work and wrote sports for many newspapers.

In Stockton, Mr. Zuchelli worked for Liberty Broadcast Network on KWG and KJOY. After graduation, Zuke was Director of Athletic Promotions for the University of Pacific and was in charge of U of P's sports publicity used on radio and TV and published in the newspaper of the Bay Area and Stockton. He was also publicity man for San Joaquin Delta College and a public relations man for the Adlai Stevenson campaign in 1952 in the Los Angeles area.

Mr. Zuchelli came to Santa Maria and for 15 years owned and operated KCOY radio. He, with four partners, built channel 12, KCOY-TV. In addition to his duties at radio KCOY, Zuke became vice-president and sports director at KCOY-TV. He decided to sell his interest in KCOY-TV and concentrate on KCOY radio.

For the past 25 years Mr. Zuchelli has been one of the leading public address announcers on the Pacific Coast for all sports. He is the founder of the Hancock College relays and has written for the Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Monica Outlook and the Modesto Bee.

When Adele Rogers St. John spoke at Cal Poly recently, she emphasized that journalists should write from the heart. Ed Zuchelli has been broadcasting from the heart since his career began. Under his direction, the aspiring announcers at KCPR will enter the broadcasting world well-prepared. We are all better people for having the privilege of knowing Ed Zuchelli.

(June 3, 1971)