Rep. Mike Kelly honors Crawford County radio legend Chuck Stopp as first 2024 "Community Champion"
MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) honored local radio legend and military veteran Chuck Stopp as the first Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District "Community Champion" of 2024 for his decades of service to the Crawford County community.
Mr. Stopp served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968. In 1970, Mr. Stopp began his radio career at WVCC-FM 101.7 in Linesville, which today is known as COOL 101.7 FM in Meadville. During Mr. Stopp's 50+ years in radio, he has become the voice of high school sports in Crawford County serving as the play-by-play announcer for more than 3,000 high school sporting events during his career.
"Chuck Stopp has spent his career highlighting the achievements of our local high school athletes. It's only fitting that we take a moment to highlight his work both on the air and in the community," Rep. Kelly said. "I had the honor of meeting Chuck during our Veterans Breakfast in Meadville last month. I quickly learned not only about his military service, but also what an integral figure he is in the community. I want to congratulate Chuck for more than a half-century in local radio and thank him for his service to our country."
During the ceremony Friday afternoon at COOL 101.7FM in Meadville, Rep. Kelly presented Mr. Stopp with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and a Congressional commendation. Mr. Stopp's award also will be honored in the Congressional Record in the U.S. House of Representatives.
BACKGROUND
The 16th District Community Champion Award is a citation instituted by the Office of U.S. Representative Mike Kelly in January 2015 to recognize and thank service-minded individuals throughout Pennsylvania's Sixteenth Congressional District for selfless and significant contributions to their surrounding communities. Each winner is presented with an official award plaque from Rep. Kelly’s office, a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building, and a statement of congratulations entered into the official Congressional Record.