Ernie Blankenship: The dean of Ohio high school sports broadcasters, and so much more

NOTE: This is Part 2 of a series leading up to the Highland County Historical Society inducting four more members into its Hall of Fame on Aug. 18. This week, we profile the late Ernie Blankenship. 

By Steve Roush
HCP columnist

Ladies and gentlemen, the Dean of Ohio High School Sports Broadcasters, Mr. Ernie Blankenship (1936-2013), retired from NCB Bank in Hillsboro as the senior vice president with over 25 years of service. He had also worked as the personnel manager for Rotary Forms Press in Hillsboro for 37 years and served on the Highland District Hospital Foundation Board. 

He was a U.S. Army veteran and a life member of the VFW Post 9094, a life member of the AmVets Post 61, a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1161, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 361, a member of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. 

Mr. Blankenship served the community in many capacities and had received awards and honors that include over 50 years of broadcasting on WSRW/WCHO radio. He was inducted into the Ohio Southeast District Coaches Hall of Fame and recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for lifetime achievement.

He was one of the founders of the annual telethon for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, which is now named in his honor.

He was honored by Congressman Mike Turner for his community service, and was recognized by many area high schools for more than 50 years of sports broadcasting.

Ernie played football for Hillsboro High School from 1951-55 and was an All-South Central Ohio League and All-Ohio athlete. He was inducted into the Highland County Sports Hall of Fame in August 1998.

Former Hillsboro Mayor Sandy Harsha proclaimed Ernie Blankenship Day in recognition of his community service. He also received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Ohio Educational Service Center Association in 2004 and was awarded the honor of Kentucky Colonel in 1999.

He received a certificate of appreciation for many years of support from the Highland County Sheriff's Office from then-Sheriff Ron Ward on Jan. 17, 2013. He received the Ohio High School Athletic Association Media Award of Merit on March 24, 2012, and was honored in 1980 at the Highland County Senior Citizens with a "Roast for Ernie."

Ernie was a 1955 graduate of Hillsboro High School, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master's degree from Xavier University. 

On Aug. 29, 1998, the "Victory Bell" at Richards Memorial Field was dedicated to Ernie in honor of his endless support to Hillsboro High School football.

A sampling of community comments on the Turner and Son Funeral Home website upon Mr. Blankenship's passing in October 2013 include:

• From Leslie Ramsey: "Ernie touched many lives in many areas in his lifetime, and it would be impossible to contemplate how he impacted the lives of those of us who knew him. His love of kids of all ages, his love of local sporting events and coverage of same, will be remembered forever. Ernie's legacy to this community, and his unyielding devotion to the Highland County Society for Children & Adults, will never be forgotten."

• From Jim Grandey: "Ernie was a good man and a friend. Having my son, James, named the first male recipient of the Ernie Blankenship scholarship meant so much to our family. Ernie will be truly missed."

• From Matt Sharkey: "It is with a heavy heart I type this message. Big Ernie was Hillsboro. I can't imagine growing up there without his encouragement after my dad passed. Always told me to be the best I could be. Don't know of anyone else in Hillsboro that has touched so many lives in a positive way." 

• From Mary Jane and Mike Boatman: "We were so sad to learn of Ernie's passing. We enjoyed visiting with Rita and Ernie when they were here last spring with Jo and Dick Zink. We were so happy that Ernie met and had his picture taken with Dick Vitale while here and we shared a great breakfast, as well. He will be sorely missed." 

• From James Grandey Jr.: "As evident by his life's work, Ernie touched many, many lives, certainly too many to count. I am honored to have been one of those lives and thankful to have received one of his scholarships. May the positive way in which Ernie lived his life be a warm and gentle memory for you during this difficult time."

• From Robin Bone: "My heart breaks that you have lost this amazing man. Heaven has gained a wonderful spirit. May Ernie fly with the angels and watch over the ones who he loved the most and left behind."

• From Nick Valentine: "I had a lot of respect for this man during my years at Hillsboro. He was a legend and deservedly so, as he put our school and community first."

• From Michelle Irwin: "Words cannot express the many ways Ernie has touched my life and so many others, as my Uncle Chet's coworker for so many years and a friend. He has left a wonderful legacy of friendship, charity, humor and loyalty." 

• From Jon Salyer: "Mr. Blankenship made the world a better place to live thanks to his generosity and talents. The little things he did to help the everyday citizen were greatly appreciated. Thank you making Hillsboro your home. You will be missed."

• From Sue Bennett: "All I can say to the family is thank you for sharing such an amazing man. Ernie touched so many lives, mine being one of them."

• From Susan Hodson Rinehart: "I have many fond memories of Ernie. He could certainly light up a room. But beyond the many laughs I had in his presence, I so admired him for his continual efforts to give to his community that he loved so much. He will be missed."
• From Rory Ryan: “Let’s just leave it at this: Ernie Blankenship has given more to others than he’s ever expected in return. That’s not a bad legacy for anyone, is it?”

In 2013, the annual Highland County Society for Children and Adults Radio-Telethon was named the Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon in honor of Mr. Blankenship's long service as telethon emcee and chairman of the Hillsboro Rotary Club committee.

As not only emcee, but chairman of the Rotary Club committee, the telethon was the late Ernie Blankenship's focus throughout the year, according to his son, Ernie Jr.

"They always said as soon as a telethon ended, they started planning for the next year," the younger Blankenship said.

Ernie Blankenship Jr. said his father would host a "lessons learned type session" after the telethon each year so he and other committee members could discuss aspects of that year's event that they felt succeeded or failed. The rest of the year was devoted to raising money or awareness for the telethon.

"He did it throughout the years as things came up," Ernie Blankenship Jr. said. "Fortunately, with him being so involved in sports, as things came up throughout the year, he used that as an opportunity to talk about the telethon. Certainly, Dad always had a soft spot for kids in general, but he definitely took an interest in special-needs kids, and he was always there to help out others when he didn't feel they could help themselves."

At his final HHS football broadcast in 2013, Ernie was honored on the field at halftime.

As the McClain Tigers and Hillsboro Indians bands completed their halftime performances, John Barney, the HHS public address announcer, asked fans to turn their attention to the 50-yard line. With his voice cracking ever so slightly, John said to the Richards Memorial Field crowd, “We’d like to recognize a great community leader, a family man and a cherished friend.”

When the mic was handed to Ernie, he said, “I want to thank all of you from Hillsboro and Greenfield for allowing me into your homes for all these years. It has been my privilege.”

Mr. Blankenship passed away Oct. 8, 2013 at his home in Hillsboro at the age of 77.

In addition to Ernie Blankenship, the 2024 Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame inductees are Dr. Larry Dukes, Steve Faris and Vicki Knauff.

The recipients will be honored at an induction ceremony Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, followed by a reception at Highland House directly across the street from the church. The public is cordially invited.

For more information on the society or the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, please call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Steve Roush is president of the Highland County Historical Society and served as chairman and vice chairman on the HCHS Board of Trustees for two terms, a board member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.

Below, Ernie Blankenship is pictured at Richards Memorial Field. (Photo by Steve Roush.)