Popiel, James “Jim Allen”

James “Jim Allen” Popiel – (1987)

 

James “Jim Allen” Podiel

Jim Popiel, known to countless in Radioland as ”Jim Allen,” is a man of depth.

Besides a sportscaster, Jim is a seasoned Spanish teacher at Admiral King High and his everyday lifestyle involves kids, sports and events for community betterment.

During the summer of 1964, Jim spent eight weeks in Ecuador straddling the equator. He attended a National Defense Act summer institute for teachers, sponsored by the University of New Mexico.

Jim was shocked at overall conditions of Ecuadorians, such as 69 percent of the people were in the low economic class ”which results in the fact that so many people lived in huts.” The Lorainite could see an improvement shaping up as the government developed interests in changing the curriculum and getting more people to attend schools.

Returning to Admiral King, Jim had many interesting stories to tell his Spanish classes — an efficient program of the Peace Corps, churches over 400 years old, narrow downtown streets, and the Ecuadorians love for America.

As a WRKG sportscaster, Jim has well-lubricated procedures attracting all ages. He’s on the sidelines rooting for every youngster to do his or her best. ”It’s a positive show. I never say negative things about a youngster,” he emphasized.

He’s listing scores, giving predictions or interviewing the high school ”Player of the Week.”

Some of the comments of Jim:

”He’s been a very positive influence on the kids in the area.”
”He puts genuine love and warmth into his broadcasts.”
”He’s the best loved individual in sports in this county.”