Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Important Las Vegans

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000 | 9:30 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

"What can I do to help?" came from a voice behind me. I looked around and it was the ring announcer, Chuck Hull. One of my amateur boxers wasn't feeling good and had just lost his match. That was more than 40 years ago and from that moment on I was a fan of Chuck Hull, who over the decades was one of the best ring announcers ever to work a fight. He and Jimmy Lennon Sr. were the two best in the world. Jimmy Lennon Jr. has since replaced his father in the ring.

Chuck announced world championship fights that were televised and shown all over the planet. He was a great ring announcer but not so great that he didn't find time to volunteer his services, at no cost, for Golden Gloves, AAU and other amateur fights.

When working the corner of one of my fighters, I never felt alone when able to hear the voice of Hull that rang clean and clear throughout the stadium. Those were the days of great fighters and great contests. Hull made certain that the cameras and lights focused on the boxers and not on him. As an announcer he was much like a good referee who is seldom in the way of the boxers or in the lenses of the television cameras recording the fight. Chuck was a fighter's announcer, and they all knew and respected him as an important part of the card. He was just as popular with the referees, judges, cornermen, physicians and the fans.

Then in 1986 came a big show at Caesars Palace and they brought in a flamboyant and windy announcer from back East. In one of my columns I wrote: The matter is in the hands of the hotel and the Nevada State Athletic Commission. If Hull's ring ability and experience along with his major contributions to our community are given even a passing glance, he will be at the microphone the night of the big fights.

If not, then Chuck Hull will not be the only loser.

Chuck Hull wasn't at the microphone and from that day forward Las Vegas went for the loudest self-centered ring announcers possible. Bob Arum told me that he hadn't selected the man to replace Hull at Caesars that night, but both he and Don King continued to shun Hull. I still won't believe that Arum and King didn't pick the ring announcers for their promotions.

Last week, at the age of 75, Chuck Hull passed away. Few other individuals did as much for sports and the image of Las Vegas. He was, along with wife Mary, always available to promote programs for our youth. As a television sportscaster he made time for the human touch when telling us about athletes.

Chuck was a special man that made this a better place for all of us. Yes, he took time to talk with my young fighter who had lost a tough decision. When he finished all three of us smiled and looked forward to the next fight.

Last week in a column I mentioned that the land upon which Lake Las Vegas is built was first owned by Dan Potter. This resulted in a letter from prominent Las Vegan Clark "Danny" Lee who wrote in part: "Dan Potter was my grandfather, and a very good one. He spent much quality time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and we all benefited with what he taught us, most especially in regard to the care and appreciation of horses. If there are any old-timers still alive, I am sure they will tell you he was the best horseman in the area."

In 1945 Florene Lee Jones wrote in the R-J about the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Potter after they had lived in Las Vegas for 35 years. Jones wrote, "Potter drove the famous mule teams in Death Valley but did not haul any borax. He was engaged in hauling supplies to the mining camp."

Dan Potter was present in 1905 when the town was started with a sale of lots. He also plowed the first furrow that began the street system for Las Vegas.

His recollection of early Las Vegas was as follows: "The dust was knee deep on a horse, and it was so hot that sometimes we couldn't even put the harness on the horses, because it would have been more than they could stand. The flies were terrible. There were no screens for protection from the flies. It was a hard life in those early days. We practically had to live with the horses in our work."

There's no doubt that Dan Potter, an early Nevadan, was one heckuva guy.

Few people have done as much for the needy as Tom Miller. During his 31 years with Catholic Charities he started Meals on Wheels and several other programs serving the elderly and the young. He worked night and day helping others, but always found time to serve on several community and state boards.

During these hectic years he and wife Carmen, working as a team, raised and educated four fine children who are successful as students, educators and builders.

Don Jaye tells me that Tom will be honored at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Gold Room of the Sahara Hotel. The public is invited.