WTHR'S Dave Calabro announces retirement after 32 years: 'It's been a wild ride'

WTHR-13 Sports Director Dave Calabro announced Tuesday he will retire from the television station at the end of the year.

In a note posted to WTHR's website Tuesday morning, Calabro said he plans to continue as a track announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway "as long as the Captain Roger Penske lets me!"

"It's been a wild ride," the regional Emmy award winner said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter. "Been here 32 years, I've been doing television for 40 years at the end of the year, so it's a perfect time to say, thank you so much, it's been a great ride."

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Calabro, who can be seen anchoring sports on the station's weeknight newscasts, told viewers he has time left on his contract, but it was his choice to step away.

"It's time to pass the microphone on here at Channel 13," he said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Calabro spent five years at WDTN in Dayton, Ohio, where he covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds before joining WTHR in 1992 as a weekend sports anchor, according to his bio on the local NBC affiliate's site.

An Indianapolis native, Calabro graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1981 and Butler University four years later. He's also a longtime racing fan and has worked as a track announcer at the speedway since the mid-'80s.

In the note posted to WTHR's site, Calabro reflected on his three decades with WTHR. Flying across the state for Operation Football, covering eight Olympics, Super Bowls, NBA playoffs and interviewing multiple U.S. presidents were just some of the highlights.

"I’ve had a front row seat to sports history," he said. "I always felt it was my responsibility to take you, the viewer, along with me."

He also took a moment to thank fans.

"Thank you all for always supporting me and welcoming me into your home!" he wrote. "God has blessed me beyond measure!"

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Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WTHR's Dave Calabro will retire from TV, plans to continue PA at IMS