Former WISH, WRTV sportscaster running for office in Noblesville

Former WISH-TV Channel 8 and WRTV Channel 6 sportscaster Wil Hampton recently announced he is running as a Republican for Noblesville Common Council’s District 4 seat in the May primary.

“This is the right time to step up,” said Hampton, a 20-year Noblesville resident. “I think I offer a fresh perspective and positive attitude.”

The Common Council seat for District 4 is currently held by long-time Noblesville resident Mark Boice, who also serves as the Council's president. After re-districting, however, Boice decided earlier this year to run for an at-large seat on the Council, leaving the race for District 4 wide open.

Hampton said he was inspired to run for office in part by his father, who was the mayor of Muncie.

“I remember dad talking about the pride he felt when he could make something better for Muncie and its citizens,” Hampton said. “That’s really what this is all about.”

Hampton, who lives in Noblesville with his wife, Becky, and three children, is the executive director of athletic events, sponsorship, and marketing at Marian University.

Hampton joined Marian after four years as director of production with the Indianapolis Colts. He also has worked with the Ball State University sports network for the past 10 years as a freelance host and play-by-play announcer.

Hampton, who earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism from the University of Mississippi, served as the sports director and lead sports anchor at WISH TV-8 from 1998-2004, and as a sports reporter and anchor at WRTV-6 from 2004-06.

Hampton thinks his broadcast and communications background can help him serve on the Common Council.

“My career has always been about connectivity and results,” Hampton said. “I believe I can use my ability to communicate and discover what voters of Noblesville want to see from their elected leaders.”

Hampton made a previous bid to get elected onto the Noblesville Common Council, but his Republican opponent,  Kathie Stretch, demanded that Hampton's employers at the time give her equal on-air time that Hampton was getting as part of his day job. Hampton, who was working as a free-lance sportscaster at the time, subsequently withdrew from the race.