Remembering Art Douglas, The “Voice” of Chester County

By Jack Mariano

Born Arthur Mulholland Marple, Jr.  on Dec. 21, 1932 in Philadelphia. A 1950 graduate of Upper Darby High School, Douglas went on to graduate from the Columbia School of Broadcasting before enlisting in the Army during the Korean conflict. 

While in the service, he worked for radio station WIRB in Alabama.  According to his daughter Karen, Art knew that he wanted to be in broadcasting since high school.

Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he put down roots in Chester County and landed a job at WCOJ Radio in Coatesville. It was to be the start of an illustrious 40-year career that would ultimately earn for him the title of "The Voice of Chester County."

Douglas was well known for his high school and youth sports broadcasts. But it was his lengthy and dedicated tenure as play-by-play announcer of West Chester University football games that earned him the respect and admiration of fans throughout the county. He seldom missed a Golden Rams game throughout his long and storied career behind the microphone.

WCOJ's popular morning program, hosted by Douglas, along with his sidekicks Jolly Joe Piscoglio and Clifford E. DeBaptiste, became a staple for county listeners for four decades. Over the years, countless thousands of students started their morning by tuning in to Douglas on snowy days, hoping to hear that their school would be closed.   

As it is noted in WCOJ on Wikipedia, when the first flake of snow hit the ground, Chester County's children listened for Art's trip to the famed "switchover room", the squeaking chair rolling along the floor, Art's humming/singing, and finally (after coming up to full power), the much anticipated "All schools in the county are closed" announcement...

Art also hosted an afternoon call in show entitled “Phone Forum” and he chatted with hundreds of callers raging from politics to Phillies.

He was also on board with Immaculata College's famed women's basketball program back in the days when the Mighty Macs, under the guidance of head coach Cathy Rush, lifted the tiny school from obscurity to national prominence with three consecutive AIAW national championships.

Douglas was a member in good standing of the Golden Rams Booster Club and later received an honorary award from the boosters.

His service and dedication to the county at large, and in particular, to West Chester University, made Douglas the perfect ambassador for Chester County sports.

According to his daughter Karen, Art enjoyed Country Music – something he didn’t play a lot of on the station.  Art was a friend with Philly born singer Al Martino whom Art frequently played on the air and hosted cruises with their wives.

He retired in 1996 and died on July 31, 2005, thus silencing forever the peerless "Voice of Chester County."