Congratulations to lifelong Riverside resident and Friar diver extraordinaire Lawrence “Larry” Wert ’74, who is being inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame on Thursday evening, April 26th. While a student-athlete in high school, Wert was a swimmer, diver, golfer and on the water polo team. He broke the Fenwick diving record of Ken Sitzberger (1964 U.S. Olympic gold medalist) by less than two points. Forty-four years later, Wert still holds the school record for 1-meter diving. He also was a member of the water polo team that brought home two national championships.

After graduation, Wert was a scholarship diver at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where he earned a BA in journalism. His 30 year broadcasting career in radio and television began in advertising. He ascended to become President and General Manager at WMAQ-TV (NBC 5 Chicago) and Central & Western Region President, managing NBC-owned, local television stations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Wert recently was appointed President of local broadcasting for the Tribune Media Co., which includes 42 owned or operated local TV stations reaching some 50 million households as well as WGN America and the WGN-AM radio station.

Wert serves as a member of the Advisory Council of Columbia College Chicago’s Television Department, Board of Directors for the Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation, Catholic League Charities and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Advisory Council for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation of Greater Chicago and also is a Life Trustee of Fenwick.