Hap Glaudi

Lloyd Alfred "Hap" Glaudi (November 7, 1912 – December 29, 1989) was lead sportscaster for New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-TV. He was part of a trio of colorful sportscasters that graced the airwaves in New Orleans for the decades beginning in the 1960s extending up until almost 2000. The trio included Glaudi, Wayne Mack of the New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU-TV, and Buddy Diliberto of then New Orleans ABC affiliate WVUE-TV. All three had distinct personas, fitting of New Orleans's unique culture, with Glaudi being known as the "Dean of New Orleans Sportscasters". Photographs of Hap Glaudi appear at the Radio Theatre of New Orleans website.

A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Lloyd Alfred Glaudi was born on November 7, 1912. He attended Jesuit High School (New Orleans), giving him his first connection to institutions owned and operated by the Society of Jesus. It was at Jesuit High School that Glaudi earned the moniker "Hap", as he was always happy and that characterization was contracted to "Hap". Fellow broadcaster Ron Brocato reported that Glaudi himself financed his high school education through fortunate winnings at the horse race track. Brocato reported, "He [Glaudi] earned his tuition betting on a winning longshot at the Fair Grounds given to him by a bookie.” During his freshman year at Jesuit High he entered the English Writing Contest with a story about an exercise boy at the New Orleans Fairgrounds who discovers a criminal plot. His story won the Gold Medal and the then school president told Hap he wouldn't have to pay tuition in the future.

Glaudi continued to higher education at Loyola University of New Orleans, maintaining strong ties to the Society of Jesus. Glaudi commenced his professional journalism career with the now defunct New Orleans Item newspaper, one of two major daily afternoon newspapers serving New Orleans at the time. During Glaudi's 25-year tenure with the Item, Glaudi became feature sportswriter for high school sports in the Greater New Orleans area, endearing him to many locals. Prep sports, together with horse racing, became particular areas of passion for Glaudi as a sports journalist. Healthy competition at the time between Glaudi and New Orleans Times-Picayune sports writer N. Charles Wicker made this a "Golden Age of Prep Sports", according to journalist Brocato's reports.

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