Softball Hall of Fame

Mention the name of Mort Cantor and one word comes to mind: Versatile. He was equally at home with an executive suit and tie, tennis shoes, the "mike", or baseball pants, socks, and cap. This small-of-stature, big-of-heart, wiry package of dynamite was a sports fan, athlete, writer, sportscaster, salesman, loving husband, father of four children — and friend.

The legendary "Voice of Peoria Sports" is without a doubt one of the most prominent figures in Peoria-area history. A graduate of Woodruff High School and Bradley University, Mort was doing part-time sports work for the Peoria Journal Star while still in high school. In 1949, he became Bradley's first full-time Sports Information Director.

In 1955, Mort started doing Bradley Basketball play-by-play with WIRL and stayed in that role for 29 years. His accounts were exciting and factual; listening to Mort could be sheer enjoyment. Through the medium of radio, he entered the homes of thousands of fans, making listening to a Bradley game something special.

A vice-president and general manager of WIRL until 1983, he continued broadcasting at WXCL until 1985, and then hosted a successful talk show on WTAZ for three years. He is a member of the Bradley University Hall of Fame and Woodruff Hall of Fame. Co-founder of the Bradley Chiefs Club booster organization, he served for five years as president. He was a charter member and first broadcaster inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

An avid softball fan, Mort co-founded and managed Peoria's first Women's Major Fast-Pitch Softball team since the 1960s. As general manager and head coach, Mort built East Peoria Avanti's into one of the nation's top fast-pitch women's teams.

Mort's was also President and Chief Executive of the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois.