"Would be proud of me"

“My dad, the legend”: a reporter tells the story

LASK icon Loisi Hartl was known as the "Sindelar of Linz" (after wonder team kicker Matthias Sindelar). Here with son Günther.(Bild: zVg)

Günther Hartl from Schörfling pays tribute to his father Alois, LASK icon from the 1950s, who died far too early and would have turned 100 on June 11. The former reporter (69) got to know three popes as well as political and film greats. Unfortunately, his father did not live to see this.

As a footballer Alois Hartl (LASK, Vorwärts Steyr, GAK) was a legend, as an ORF reporter it is his son Günther. "My life has been shaped by the virtues that my hard-working, decent dad taught me," he recalls.

Unique kicker
Alois Hartl from Linz became an electrician and later worked for the Linz municipal authorities and in the provincial government (one of his office colleagues was former provincial governor Josef Pühringer). A gifted dribbler with inimitable physical tricks and goals, he was adored by LASK and Vorwärts fans in the 1950s. The big Viennese clubs Austria and Rapid courted him.

Remained loyal to home and family
However, he stayed in Upper Austria with Günther's mother Eleonora, a VS director. "Loisi" Hartl was also coach at Welser SC, Union Wels, Enns, Bad Ischl, SV Urfahr, Katsdorf and Sarleinsbach, and he made many champions. Alois Hartl only experienced his son Günther's rise to radio and television editor in the early years: "Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 62 after many years of illness. I'm sure he would have been proud of me."

LASK icon Loisi Hartl (right) was known as the "Sindelar of Linz" (after wonder team kicker Matthias Sindelar)(Bild: zVg)

Alois Hartl, here with son Günther Hartl(Bild: zVg)

Hartl handed over the ORF peace light to Popes Benedict, John Paul II and Francis (pictured far left)(Bild: zVg)

Hartl as director of the "Please Smile" show with film star Bud Spencer.(Bild: zVg)

Günther Hartl with his partner Hermine and dwarf pinscher "Dizi"(Bild: zVg)

Günther was responsible for the "Light into Darkness" campaign for 20 years and delivered the ORF Peace Light to personalities such as Commission Presidents José Manuel Barroso, Romano Prodi, Jean-Claude Juncker and three popes. "I was impressed by Israel's President Shimon Peres," said Hartl, who also reported from the USA, South Africa and China. The former LASK under-21 kicker became a journalist after graduating from high school: "I didn't have much time for training. But I'm still a LASK fan today!"

Reinhard Waldenberger, Kronen Zeitung