Cheryl Raye Stout as been covering Chicago Sports on radio for over 40 years. She’s a pioneer who battled her way through sexism to eventually be heralded as one of the most relentless and respected reporters in town. During the hey days of the Bears in the 80s, she was yelled at by the team for entering their locker room.

“The practice was in Lake Forest and we were at the old Halas Hall which was a very small room. That’s when you realize you’re the only women in that room. I was with that little group as the locker room opened. I started to go in and all of a sudden the team surrounded me and started screaming at me and calling me names!”

But then quarterback Jim Harbaugh eventually paved the way for her acceptance. Along the way she constantly had to prove herself during a time when women were forced to do so. But when she was foisted into the role of producing a radio talk show hosted by the popular and late Chet Coppock, Raye Stout became bold booking Dallas Green as the first guest. He was the General Manager of the Cubs and it was a big get for her, the host and her career.

Raye Stout cemented her role as a top reporter breaking the news of Michael Jordan’s decision to retire and play baseball for the White Sox and then his return to the Bulls.

She continues to cover every team and sports event in town for WBEZ, the NPR station and has no desire to retire. There’s a good reason for that….she’s still on top of her game!

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