DETROIT (WWJ) - Longtime WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) personality Dave LewAllen is anchoring his final broadcast at 6 p.m. on Thursday after 35 years with the station, bringing to a close an era of Detroit TV news.
LewAllen, 66, will join other recognizable on-air talent, such as former Fox 2 Detroit anchors Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle, in retirement decades after he first joined Channel 7 in 1988 as a sports reporter.
LewAllen transitioned to news full time in 2004 and became WXYZ's evening news anchor in 2018. LewAllen is currently the longest-tenured TV news personality in Detroit.
The 66-year-old announced his retirement from the station in January.
LewAllen is a native of Brighton, Mich. and grew up playing baseball, basketball and football. He attended Central Michigan University where he studied journalism. LewAllen spent one season playing football for the CMU's practice squad his freshman year before discontinuing to concentrate on his studies.
But he was never far from spots.
During his junior year, LewAllen covered news as an intern with WJR-AM (760), learning from sports reporters Frank Beckman and Paul Carey. He returned to CMU to report on football and basketball.
He graduated from Central Michigan with a degree in journalism and worked a number of jobs across radio and TV, from WLNS (Channel 6) in Lansing to CKLW-AM (800) and a stint at WJBK-TV (Channel 2). But he landed a spot at Channel 7 at 31-years-old and has become consistent presence ever since.
"During his career, Dave has covered three Super Bowls, the World Series, NHL, and NBA Finals, as well as major golf championships, including the Masters, U.S. Open and Ryder Cup matches," LewAllen's profile on WXYZ.com stated.
His list of awards and accolades includes a 2007 Emmy for “Best Weekend Newscast" with co-anchor Glenda Lewis and producer Tim Kochenderfer, a Emmy for “Breaking News” for Channel 7’s live continuing coverage of fires in Highland Park, and for the series, “March Madness,” an inside look at the Michigan state high school basketball tournament.
LewAllen resides in Rochester Hills with his wife, Sandra, and their two children.
Dave is a member of the Board of Directors for Rainbow Connection, which provides wishes for Michigan children with life-threatening illnesses. He served a two-year term as President of the Board of the non-profit. After retirement, LewAllen told The Detroit News he will still continue to work with the organization, as well as utilize his skills in the community where it is needed.
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