White County Honors Darrel Chaney with Official Day

By: Nora Almazan

Photo: White County Government

The White County Board of Commissioners has officially proclaimed February 23, 2026, as “Darrel Chaney Day.” The recognition was presented Monday, February 23rd during a special ceremony held in the Board Room of the White County Administration Building.

Chairman Travis Turner presented the proclamation to Chaney, honoring his long-standing commitment to the community and 25 years of leadership in support of the White County United Way.

“Darrel Chaney’s career on the national stage is impressive by any measure,” Turner said. “But what makes today so meaningful is how he has used that platform to serve the people of White County. For 25 years, he has invested his time, relationships, and heart into strengthening our local nonprofits. The Board of Commissioners is proud to recognize him and thank him for the lasting difference he has made in our community.”

From Major League Baseball to Community Champion

Darrel Chaney was born March 9, 1948, in Hammond, Indiana. A standout athlete at Morton High School, he excelled in three sports and was named the Northwest Indiana Times Athlete of the Year in 1966. Although he received multiple Big Ten football scholarship offers, Chaney chose Ball State University where he could play both football and baseball. His path changed when the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the second round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft.

After leading the Southern League with 23 home runs in 1968, Chaney earned a spot on the Reds’ major league roster in 1969. He played for the Reds throughout the early 1970s and became part of the legendary “Big Red Machine” teams alongside Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Joe Morgan. Chaney appeared in three World Series with Cincinnati — 1970, 1972 and the championship season of 1975.

“We were the best team in that era and I was glad and fortunate to be a part of it,” Chaney once said. “Three World Series and one world championship. Not bad.”

Following the 1975 season, Chaney was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he became the club’s regular shortstop in 1976, batting .252 with one home run and 50 RBIs. Over 915 career games, he compiled a .217 batting average with 14 home runs, 190 RBIs, 458 hits, 75 doubles, 17 triples and 19 stolen bases.

After his playing career, Chaney remained connected to the game as a broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves during the early 1980s, working alongside Ernie Johnson, Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren on both the Atlanta Braves Radio Network and WTBS-TV.

A Lasting Impact in White County

In 2002, Chaney partnered with White County leaders to establish the Darrel Chaney Invitational Golf Tournament. Over the past quarter century, the annual event has raised more than $1 million for nonprofit organizations serving residents throughout the county. Local organizers say the tournament would not exist without his dedication and leadership.

Tournament co-chairman Bill Sutton praised Chaney’s contributions in a White County press release.

“The golf tournament is truly a group effort, and we have an outstanding team that makes it happen every year,” Sutton said. “But we wouldn’t be where we are today without Darrel’s time, effort and the connections he has brought to this community. I’m extremely excited that today is Darrel Chaney Day in White County.”

The 25th Annual Darrel Chaney Invitational Golf Tournament is scheduled for April 19–21, 2026, with tournament play hosted at Valhalla Golf Club & Resort in Helen.

As part of the anniversary celebration, the public is invited to attend two special events:

• A Sports Memorabilia Show, April 19–21

• The Tournament Kick-Off & “Meet the Celebrities” event at Bigg Daddy’s in Helen on Monday evening, April 20

  
  

Beyond baseball, Chaney has also spent decades as a motivational speaker, appearing at church groups, corporate meetings, national conventions and community events, encouraging audiences to recognize their own significance and potential.

White County officials say his commitment to service is why the annual tournament continues to thrive and why the county chose to honor him with a day in his name.