William Cordic, a renowned radio personality, was born in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began his educational journey at Central Catholic High School.
He embarked on his professional career in radio, initially serving as a staff announcer and substitute sportscaster at WWSW-AM, where he eventually rose to prominence as one of the station's most popular on-air personalities.
When the morning host, Davey Tyson, unexpectedly left the station in 1948, Cordic was presented with a remarkable opportunity to take over the coveted position.
Seizing this chance, Cordic developed a distinctive style that masterfully blended elements of comedy, sports, and news, thereby establishing himself as a radio pioneer.
Cordic's morning radio show, initially christened Cordic & Company, swiftly ascended to unparalleled popularity in Pittsburgh, distinguished by its unique format that harmoniously blended a rich medley of music, sports, and comedy. He ingeniously introduced a plethora of recurring characters, including a fictional university, East Overshoe University, and a talented repertory company of supporting characters, which further amplified the show's allure.
Cordic's morning show on KDKA radio station continued to experience remarkable success, boasting an impressive 85% listener share, meaning a staggering proportion of all radios in Pittsburgh were tuned in to his program. By the time his tenure in Pittsburgh came to a close, Cordic's impressive earning potential had reached a substantial $100,000 annually, a considerable sum for a radio host during that era. Throughout his distinguished career, Cordic earned a reputation for his singular fusion of humor and sports reporting, which endeared him to the Pittsburgh radio community, solidifying his status as a cherished figure.
