Grayson County native, the late John Asher, is being honored by the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation with a giant Hometown Heroes banner displayed at Presentation Academy.
Hometown Heroes banners were first introduced in 2002 with a banner of Muhammad Ali displayed in the city. Since then, Louisville has honored native sons and daughters, MLB Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reece, Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, legendary journalist Diane Sawyer, Rapper Jack Harlow, and adopted Louisvillian, longtime University of Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum, among many, many others.
Asher, a graduate of Clarkson High School, got his start in media in Leitchfield at the WHKG-WMTL studios. After graduating from Western Kentucky University, he continued to work in radio at WKHG-WMTL, WAVG and WHAS.
He won five Eclipse Awards for his horse racing coverage (1988-1990, 1992, 1994).
His love of thoroughbred racing led Asher to take what he called his “dream job” at Churchill Downs in January 1997.
Asher’s honors
In September 2021, Churchill Downs Racetrack honored Asher with a statue on the north side of the saddling paddock in the Plaza area. The statue, sculpted by Louisville artist Raymond Graf, depicts Asher sitting on a horseshoe bench and talking with Col. Matt Winn, who oversaw the early growth of the Kentucky Derby into America’s greatest race.
Presentation Academy
In addition to his professional exploits, Asher had three daughters who attended Presentation Academy, which announced on Thursday that Asher’s giant Hometown Heroes banner will be displayed at the school.
“We are excited to announce that Hometown Heroes has selected Presentation Academy to display the next banner recognizing an esteemed honorary alum and renowned Louisville figure. John Asher, the former Vice President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs, was a true icon in Louisville. As an ambassador for both Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, he also exhibited unwavering support for Presentation Academy,” said Amy Skretny Fowler, Head of External Affairs at Presentation Academy.
“Above all,” Fowler said in a letter to Presentation alumni, “John was a proud Pres dad. Together with his wife, Deidra, they sent all three of their daughters — Heather ’98, Erin ’11, and Emma ’14 — to Presentation. He passionately supported their involvement in various activities, particularly in volleyball and field hockey.”
Asher’s Hometown Heroes banner will be unveiled at Presentation Academy, at the corner of Fourth Street & Breckinridge Street, on Monday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
All are welcome to attend.
Hometown Heroes
The Greater Louisville Pride Foundation launched the Hometown Heroes project in 2002 to honor a diverse group of Louisvillians from various professions, all of whom have inspired others and represented our community to the world. These giant banners are essentially works of public art, proudly displayed throughout the Louisville metro area, with several located downtown.
(John Asher in 2015 at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the year after California Chrome swept to victory in the run for the roses, courtesy of BloodHorse Library/Bill Luster photo via America’s Best Racing.net)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
