Quinlan was named Illinois Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association four straight years from 1961 to 1964. Nationally, he broadcast the first 1960 All-Star Game and the 1960 World Series for NBC Radio. He also called Big Ten football on WGN and broadcast the 1963 NFL Championship Game locally as a substitute for regular Bears radio announcer Brickhouse, who was calling the game on NBC television.