Longtime IMS executive McAtee dies at 53
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 Longtime Indianapolis Motor Speedway executive Buddy McAtee died Feb. 12 in Indianapolis. He was 53.
McAtee passed away at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis with his family at his side.
An employee of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its affiliated companies since 1987, McAtee was promoted to the position of president, chief operating officer and executive producer of IMS Productions on Jan. 15, 2007 after serving as vice president and executive producer since 2002, and leading the company to new heights of creative programming, broadcasting and profitability.
“Buddy’s contributions over a 20-year period have been enormous and have
allowed us to grow as a company,” said Tony George, IMS chief executive
officer. “His leadership has taken on many forms, so much so that I have
admired him as one of the most positive and energetic people I have ever
known. He always was willing to go the extra mile, always willing to bring
ideas to the table and offer solutions to problems or challenges. His love
of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, having grown up in its shadows, fueled
his passion for motorsports. He has been an integral part of the Indy
Racing League from its inception and has been instrumental in all of our
broadcast relationships.
“To say I will miss him would be an understatement. For all who knew him, we are privileged. For all who have worked with him, we feel honored.”
Indianapolis native McAtee began his broadcasting career with Indianapolis
television station WRTV Channel 6 while attending Indiana University, where
he earned a degree in telecommunications and forensic studies in 1978.
McAtee then spent almost a decade with WRTV as a news photographer, in
sales and as promotion director.
He joined Wabash Valley Broadcasting, a subsidiary of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, in 1987, and then moved to the IMS staff in 1998 to sell
sponsorships and oversee television production for Speedway events such as
the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and the United States
Grand Prix.
During his tenure at IMS Productions, McAtee was responsible for many
nationally broadcast programs, including the Road to Indy series, Pit
Pass and U.S. Grand Prix View. McAtee also oversaw production and
television promotion of all IRL IndyCar Series events.
IMS Productions won numerous awards under McAtees leadership, including
many Telly Awards for outstanding local, regional and cable television
commercials and programs, and video and film production. IMS Productions
won six of the prestigious awards in 2005 alone.
One award for which McAtee was particularly proud was the prestigious
accolade IMS Productions won for the one-hour documentary Heart to Heart.
The documentary was written and produced by IMS Productions and chronicled
the story of Bailey Hunsberger, a then-12-year-old girl who suffered from
various heart defects and sought treatment at Riley Hospital for Children
in Indianapolis.
Heart to Heart won the Best Documentary (Short) in November 2006 at the
prestigious New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The
film was placed in the festivals Grand Festival Award category, the
highest honor possible.
A personal commendation that McAtee was proud to receive was the
Torchbearer Award from the Indiana University Cancer Center in May 2006.
Seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who
also received treatment at IU Cancer Center, presented the award to McAtee.
McAtee is survived by his wife, Judy, and a daughter, Nikki.
Visitation is scheduled for 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at Crown Hill
Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis. Funeral services are scheduled
for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16 at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian
St., Indianapolis.
Memorial donations may be made to Indiana University Medical Center, Cancer
Research.
IMS2007-007
Media Contacts: Ron Green, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, (317) 492-6780,
rgreen@brickyard.com
Paul Kelly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, (315) 673-0184,
pkelly@brickyard.com
World Wide Web: http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com