Who was Lou Berliner? Learn more about the legendary Dispatch sportswriter

Staff Writer
·2 min read
This April 7, 1977, photo shows Lou Berliner, left, with Herb Williams of Marion-Franklin High School. The plaque honors Williams' selection for the All-American High School Basketball Team. A local legend, Williams went on to play for Ohio State and the Indiana Pacers.
This April 7, 1977, photo shows Lou Berliner, left, with Herb Williams of Marion-Franklin High School. The plaque honors Williams' selection for the All-American High School Basketball Team. A local legend, Williams went on to play for Ohio State and the Indiana Pacers.

Lou Berliner passed away 25 years ago today, on July 13, 1984. A long-time sportswriter at The Dispatch, Berliner covered high school and amateur sports in Central Ohio for more than 40 years.

Known for his short stature, he stood only 5 feet, 3 inches tall. He also was a devout Orthodox Jew.

Widely respected, he developed many casual and deep friendships with countless athletes, coaches, managers and school administrators throughout the city. He was known as "the little man with the huge heart." His legions of acquaintances also included politicians, clergy, bankers and shoe clerks. Lou Berliner Park was named in his honor.

The pronunciation of his last name was "bur-LINN-er," even though some folks today pronounce the name of the park as "BURR-line-er."

Born in Columbus, Lou Berliner attended Fulton Street School, Mound Junior High and Central High School. He was student manager of the baseball and basketball teams and was a member of the reserve basketball team his senior year at Central.

He enrolled at OSU to study advertising, but after two quarters was forced to leave due to an infected hand. Instead of returning to college, he started a career as a newspaperman.

His "Berliners" column was a regular Dispatch feature from 1936 until he retired in 1975.The annual Dispatch All-High Sports banquet was also a Berliner creation, and he was the toastmaster at each one until his retirement.

During World War II, he personally sent news clippings and miniature copies of The Dispatch (a servicemen's edition) each week to the boys overseas. By V-J Day, the number on his mailing list was 565.

He died July 13, 1984, at age 73 after suffering a heart attack a week prior. Condolences were published from Woody Hayes, James A. Rhodes, Rabbi S.W. Rubenstein and others. Later that year, Southview Park at 325 Greenlawn Ave., the largest public athletic facility in central Ohio, was renamed Lou Berliner Park in his honor.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who was Lou Berliner, legendary Columbus Dispatch sportswriter?