Today we turn our attention to sports for this week's installment of WSIU's Listening Project. For years the name Bob Blondi has been synonymous with high school and college sports in southern Illinois and throughout the Midwest. The Illinois Sports Hall of Fame referee presided over games for 50-years.
Recently his son Bobby Blondi and grandson Rob Blondi shared some of their memories of the man who was the son of Italian immigrants and left an indelible mark on Benton High School and southern Illinois sports.
Their conversation was recorded as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Benton Public Library.
More Stories:
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On how the game of basketball has changed...
WSIU's Listening Project connects people with place through their stories. You can hear more stories from the Benton Listening Projecthere.