KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland resigns

UPDATE JULY 19, 2016
Fmr. KTRK news director Dave Strickland joins KPRC 2

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mikemcguff.com exclusive: After 14 years, KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland announces resignation

Dave Strickland

This afternoon, KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland announced to the staff in an email he is leaving the ABC owned station.

Rumors have been swirling the last few weeks that Strickland was leaving the station. He had not been at the station during that time.

In the memo, Strickland cited the job was affecting his family, life and personal relationships.

"Dave Strickland is one of the country's greatest news directors and a friend for life," former KTRK 13 Undercover reporter Wayne Dolcefino told mikemcguff.com. "He supported my investigative reporting until the very end. He was the brainchild behind the kind of in-depth aggressive news coverage Channel 13 used to be known for. I know my colleagues are devastated as they watch what is happening to a once great television institution."

Strickland was news director for 14 years. He started at KTRK as an intern, worked his way up to sports producer, then news producer. In between his KTRK time, Strickland was news director of WAVY-TV 10 Norfolk, Virginia.

"I hired Dave out of college after he interned for me in sports at 13," former KTRK sports director Bob Allen told mikemcguff.com. "I'm proud of him for turning into a terrific news director. It was an honor to work for and with him at 13. It's a big loss for them. The best news director they ever had, and I worked for all but 2 of them. He'll find out as I did that change can be good. And like me, probably be much happier. MUCH happier."

KTRK general manager Henry Florsheim sent a staff email thanking Strickland for his service and recounting all of the advances Strickland made to the station during his tenure.

No interim news director has been named.

For those not in Houston, Strickland or "Strick" as he was called in the newsroom, was the longest serving news director in the market currently. If you read my blog with any regularity, you will see news directors at other stations come and go every few years. KTRK on the other hand, has had a consistent management team for a very long time. This probably means more changes will be on the way.

On a personal note, Strickland hired me into his news department in 2001. I learned a lot about television under his leadership. He was a tough, but fair boss. He expected you to work and do a good job. In this public forum, I would like to thank him for the opportunities he gave me.

Here is part of the nice email that GM Henry Floresheim sent to the staff about Strickland:

It’s almost impossible for me to express the impact Dave Strickland has had on Eyewitness News over the nearly decade and a half he has served as News Director. During his tenure, he’s overseen the greatest and most rapid expansion of news programming in the station’s existence. He has guided coverage of unique once in a decade -- or even once in a career -- news events and has helped positioned Eyewitness News for the future as we evolved from analog tape to HD to digital news production.

Dave’s tenure covers a highlight reel of the top news events in Houston and around the country/world. He arrived just in time for Tropical Storm Allison. He directed coverage for the station and the Station Group during Hurricanes Rita and Ike. He dispatched crews to New York on 9/11 and sent reporters and photographers to Kuwait and Iraq to cover the War. He watched one Texas Governor run and become President and a second fail to go to the White House. Dave put us live in Chicago when the Nation elected President Obama and shivered with the Houstonians on the Mall when President Obama took the oath. Dave witnessed the first Houston Texans football game, the Astros first World Series appearance, and the birth of the Dynamo. Under Dave’s direction, Eyewitness News was live in Rome for the selection of two Popes, in Mexico and Cuba for Papal visits and in London for a Royal Wedding.

When Dave returned to ABC 13 in early 2000, the first newscast started the day at 5:00 am. There was a half hour newscast that played coming out of a Soap at 11:30 am and Sally Jessie Raphael at 4:00 pm led into the 5:00 pm newscast. On weekend mornings, news ended at 7:00 am so the station could clear kids programming; and no station produced one hour late news on Saturday or Sunday evening. Amazingly, Dave has overseen the creation of an additional sixteen and half hours of news a week.

Dave led the surge through the alphabet as we moved from iNews to ENPS to Ignite. Today we Tweet and post on Facebook and live shots move around the World on 3 and 4G Networks.

Perhaps most importantly, Dave has connected with all of us at the station. He stood in the newsroom at 2:00 am dealing with the latest crisis. On far too many occasions, Dave was the first at the ER to help a colleague in stress. Over the years, he has touched all parts of KTRK-TV -- hiring new team members, directing coverage, and lending support to other departments around the building. I’ve come to rely heavily on his even-tempered approach and sound advice.

As he steps down, I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for the station, the members of Eyewitness News and the support he has given the rest of the building. Please join me in wishing Dave the best in his future endeavors.

Stay tuned to mikemcguff.com for more...


UPDATE JULY 19, 2016
Fmr. KTRK news director Dave Strickland joins KPRC 2

Fmr. KTRK news director Dave Strickland joins KPRC 2

Former KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland joins KPRC 2 (as news director)


Just when you thought I was losing interest in the Houston TV scene...this happens. The rumors have been flying for weeks. And now we officially know that former KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland is joining KPRC 2 in the same capacity.

“I am extremely honored to join a news team that has such an exceptional reputation and a rich history,” Strickland said in a statement first issued to mikemcguff.com.

Ladies and gentlemen, let the Houston TV newsroom wars turn up to 11. Grab some popcorn, sit back and get ready for the sparks to fly.

I should add that Dave Strickland is the man who hired me full-time in Houston TV back in 2001. Yeah, blame him for all of this. Seriously though, I had an up close view of how Strickland or "Strick" as he is called by employees runs a newsroom.

As I said before, he was a tough but fair news director. The 13 culture at the time was, "we are going to be first and we are going to win."

Strickland is a native Houstonian. I believe he grew up in Sharpstown if memory serves. He attended Alief Hastings and graduated from Sam Houston State University (Dan Rather's alma mater).

His first TV experience was at channel 13 where he worked his way up from a sports intern to producer. He left for WAVY 10 Norfolk, Virginia where he became news director.

Dave Strickland

After returning to Houston, he led abc13's newsroom through some great ratings highs for 14 years.

For instance, I have a t-shirt that was handed out in May 2002 that lists every major newscast win KTRK had in the ratings period. Back then, every time the station took all in the ratings war, employees got some kind of abc13 branded gear. We all had 13 emblazoned gym bags, computer bags, shirts, hats...etc. I should post some of this stuff on Instagram.

"I hired Dave out of college after he interned for me in sports at 13," former KTRK sports director Bob Allen told mikemcguff.com in 2014 when Strickland resigned from the station. "I'm proud of him for turning into a terrific news director. It was an honor to work for and with him at 13. It's a big loss for them. The best news director they ever had, and I worked for all but 2 of them. He'll find out as I did that change can be good. And like me, probably be much happier. MUCH happier."

So what I'm trying to say is, this guy knows how 13 ticks, what made it a heritage station all these years and what's going on in the rest of the Houston TV market too.

"Dave Strickland is one of the country's greatest news directors and a friend for life," former KTRK 13 Undercover reporter Wayne Dolcefino told mikemcguff.com in 2014. "He supported my investigative reporting until the very end. He was the brainchild behind the kind of in-depth aggressive news coverage Channel 13 used to be known for. I know my colleagues are devastated as they watch what is happening to a once great television institution."

KPRC is certainly well aware of this too.

“This is a major win to have Dave joining and leading our news team,” said KPRC VP/General Manager, Jerry Martin. “He is a Houstonian who knows the market, he knows the competition, and he’s a newsroom teacher who will take the foundation we’ve built the past few years at KPRC2 and raise it to a whole new level. This is great for the station and more importantly, it’s great for news viewers in the Houston market.”

Now the question is, who will follow Strickland to KPRC? Will KTRK reporters, anchors or behind the scenes staffers join him at channel 2? What about those former channel 13 employees no longer working in television? My guess is the answer to some of those questions is yes. Some names immediately popped into my head upon hearing this possible news a few weeks ago.

And how much (if any) will Strickland change KPRC's newscast? Some channel 13 viewers complain to me how the station's news has changed over the last few years. Whether they realize it or not, they started writing me after the time Strickland was not there. Will those disenfranchised 13 viewers prefer the new channel 2?

In the spirit of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio (which the Houston NBC affiliate is about to air) will KPRC get all gold with Strickland in the coach's chair?

Stay tuned. Things are about to get really exciting for Houston TV news viewers! KPRC says Strickland starts immediately.

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Dave Strickland exits KPRC 2

Dave Strickland, the KPRC 2 news director since 2016, is no longer with the Graham Media Group station according to multiple sources.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2022
Bernice Kearney named KPRC 2 news director

UPDATE
Dave Strickland starts Strickland Communications.

Other recent changes at the station include KSAT San Antonio's Phil Lane taking over the KPRC Vice President and General Manager role from the recently retired Jerry Martin.

KPRC did not respond to my questions.

Strickland was previously the abc13 KTRK Vice President and News Director from 2000 to 2015.

"Dave Strickland is simply the best in the business as proven by his record at KTRK and KPRC over the last many years," legendary former KTRK anchor Dave Ward told mikemcguff.com.  "One would be hard pressed to find anybody who knows news better than Dave Strickland."

Strickland was honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award in 2021.

"I'm shocked and disappointed, Dave was one of the best news directors in the country," former KTRK assistant news director and award-winning reporter Don Kobos, who worked with Strickland for 25 years, told mikemcguff.com.  "He made channel 13 KTRK and KPRC newscasts better, award winning and number one.  Houston loses a giant."

"Strickland understood what local news should be about," former KTRK 13 Undercover investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino told mikemcguff.com.  "Channel 2 is the leader in exposing corruption.  Strick came from 13 and he knew what people wanted."

 "Dave was a great News Director to work for," former KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora told mikemcguff.com.  "Tough but fair and he has a nose for news. He respected his staff and demanded the best from them and got it.  He never hesitated to send his journalists wherever the news was and gave them all the resources and support to be successful.  Open minded and willing to listen to staff suggestions.  The Houston market will miss his experience."

The native Houstonian, who grew up in Sharpstown and graduated from Alief Hastings and Sam Houston State University, started his TV career in Houston.

"I hired Dave out of college after he interned for me in sports at 13," former KTRK sports director (and later KHOU 11) Bob Allen, who passed away in 2016, told mikemcguff.com in 2014. "I'm proud of him for turning into a terrific news director. It was an honor to work for and with him at 13."

Strickland worked his way up at KTRK to managing editor.

Leaving Houston in 1994, Strickland became an executive producer at WAVY Portsmouth, Virginia and later news director.

He returned to Houston at KTRK in 2000.

Dave Strickland honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award

Jerry Martin, Dave Ward, Dave Strickland, Don Kobos & Ted Oberg (Rachelle Rowe Public Relations)

KPRC 2 news director Dave Strickland was honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award for 2021.

"I had the honor of presenting The Dave Ward Excellence In Media Award at the Houston’s Heroes Luncheon to Dave Strickland," Ward said.  "Although a former colleague and great friend, Strick’s credentials and merits speak for themselves."

In 2019, abc13 KTRK investigative reporter Ted Oberg was the first to take home the honor.

The award was in conjunction with the Crime Stoppers of Houston 2021 Houston Heroes Award Luncheon held at the Royal Sonesta Houston.

Those honored were recognized as those, “who have given exemplary service to make Houston a safer place to live, work, learn, and play.”

Strickland is a native Houstonian who grew up learning the ropes of the Bayou City journalism world in radio, newspapers and television.

As a Sam Houston State University student, he interned at channel 13 KTRK and started working there in 1984. 

"I hired Dave out of college after he interned for me in sports at 13," former KTRK sports director Bob Allen told mikemcguff.com in 2014. "I'm proud of him for turning into a terrific news director. It was an honor to work for and with him at 13."

Strickland rose through the ranks first as Allen's sports producer, news producer and eventually as a managing editor.

In 1994, he left for the East Coast to join WAVY 10 Norfolk, Virginia as an executive producer.  Within two years, he was promoted to news director.

Houston came calling in 2000 and Strickland returned to KTRK as Vice President and News Director where he guided Eyewitness News through ratings highs.

In 2016, Strickland "crossed the street" as they say in the TV biz to join KPRC 2 as news director. 

"This is a major win to have Dave joining and leading our news team," KPRC VP/General Manager Jerry Martin said at the time. "He is a Houstonian who knows the market, he knows the competition, and he’s a newsroom teacher who will take the foundation we’ve built the past few years at KPRC2 and raise it to a whole new level. This is great for the station and more importantly, it’s great for news viewers in the Houston market."

Dave Strickland & Rod Ryan honored by Houston Children’s Charity

Laura Ward and KPRC 2 news director Dave Strickland (Credit: Michelle Watson)

It all began with seven visionaries who believed they needed to step up and help children in need across Houston. 

The group moved fast to create a nonprofit with a mission to improve the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and disabled children. 

Now, 25 years later, Houston Children’s Charity has made a critical impact on more than 3.5 million children and on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, the organization along with its Board of Directors celebrated a quarter-century of caring at the Houston Children’s Charity 25th Anniversary Luncheon presented by BMW of West Houston and Momentum BMW Southwest. Houston Children’s Charity identifies those children whose special needs are not being met by existing organizations. 

Houston Children’s Charity has touched the lives of children in need and has provided support to more than 300 agencies and 14 unique direct programs and leaving no legitimate request for assistance unanswered. The impact Houston Children’s Charity has had on children alone is more than enough to gather more than 400 guests at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown. Supporters in attendance also celebrated outstanding individuals and organizations who have contributed to creating a world where every child has their own bed, clothing, school supplies, transportation, health services, and joyful holidays. With a room filled with champions for the children, PaperCity’s social and lifestyle editor Shelby Hodge served as the emcee and welcomed distinguished guests, founding members, board members, advisory board along with dedicated sponsors and committed volunteers.

The program started with a 25th Anniversary video followed by a Chariots for Children video that spotlighted “Chariots Heroes” who have partnered with Houston Children’s Charity to sponsor 116 vans, at a cost of $40,000 per van over the years.

City of Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner presented a proclamation to Houston Children’s Charity and proclaimed November 10, 2021, as Houston Children’s Charity “Quarter Center of Caring Day”. Founding member and President and CEO of Houston Children’s Charity, Laura Ward presented Tilman Fertitta with the “Founders Award” to recognize and honor his unwavering support to Houston’s special children. 

Ward has served as an integral part of the organization since its inception in 1996. While staying true to Ward’s “our kids are everyone’s kids” motto, Houston Children’s Charity has accomplished what no other charity has been able to do in support of children in need. Ward presented Carol Sawyer the “Making a Difference” Award for her dedication and commitment as a volunteer for 25 years to the children of Houston. Hodge thanked and recognized the following award recipients for their dedication to Houston Children’s Charity through volunteering. 

Excellence in Volunteerism

    Kim Finnigan                                     

    Stevie Merrill

    Allen Hord                                                     

    Maricella Reed

    Rosemary Lozano

    Chris Merrill

Ward thanked and recognized the following award recipients for their support for enhancing the quality of life one child at a time. 

Helping Hands

    Rod Ryan – The Rod Ryan Show on 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ

Media Champion

    Dave Strickland – KPRC Channel 2 news director

Foundation Friends

   The Guill Family – The Guill Foundation 

Spirit of Service

    Youval Meicler – Texas Mattress Makers 

Corporate Commitment

    Maria Moncada Alaoui – BMW of West Houston

    Tommy Kuranoff – Momentum BMW Southwest

Lifetime of Giving

    Susan & Fayez Sarofim

Children’s Impact

    Tony Buzbee

Heart of Houston

    Hallie Vanderhider

Guardian Angels

    Jana & Richard Fant – The Fant Foundation

After presenting awards, Ward was surprised with a Leadership Award by Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board Gary Becker on behalf of the founders and board members. In addition to receiving an award, the Child Life Room at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center Outpatient Clinic at the Mark Wallace Tower is renamed to: Laura S. Ward, Houston Children’s Charity Child Life Room.

Since its inception, Houston Children’s Charity has distributed 254 vans to families of disabled children, helped 40,000 school-aged students walk into school prepared for the new school year with much-needed school supplies, and provided 25,000 children with a better night’s sleep by distributing mattresses, box springs, bed frames, sheets, and pillows. More than 30,000 children have been provided with gently used clothing, shoes and accessories at no cost.

Houston Children’s Charity distributes 80,000 toys to 20,000 children through the Adopt-A-Family program and Toy Distribution. Each year, $100,000 is awarded to the families at Texas Children’s Hospital to help pay for lodging, mortgage, car payments, meals, parking, and clothes.

Celebrating a quarter-century of caring for children included: Mayor Sylvester Turner, District Attorney Kim Ogg, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Frances and Tony Buzbee, Paige Fertitta, Sylvia Forsythe, Ryan Jay, Ali Guill, John Guill, Marion Guill Anderson, Gary Becker, Twila Carter, Gina Gaston, Grant Guthrie, Michael Hoctor, Tommy Kuranoff, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Penny Loyd, David Atkins, Dr. Susan Blaney, Dan D’Armond, DeeDee and Wallis Marsh, Youval Meicler, Trini Mendenhall, Maria Moncada Alaoui, Dr. Lois Moore, Debbie and Bob Ogle, Amy and Rob Pierce, Rachelle Rowe, Rod Ryan, Susan Sarofim, Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Morris Smith, Kristina Somerville, Tina and Dave Strickland, Donna Vallone, Russell Ybarra, Robin Young-Ellis, Patrick Fertitta, David Gow.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Houston Children's Charity)

Dave Ward ready to party at end of 10pm news bash

KTRK abc13 legend Dave Ward celebrates his last 10pm newscast at Tony's with TV friends and family

Dave Ward & Mike McGuff

With microphone in hand, KTRK abc13 anchor Dave Ward addressed friends and family at Tony's with something he claimed he always wanted to say on TV. He then ruffled his perfectly coiffed hair with his hand and yelled, "let's party!"

With a roar from the party crowd, the official celebration of the longest running anchor in America's last 10pm newscast on the Disney/ABC Television Group began Tuesday night.

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PHOTOS
See pictures from the Dave Ward Tony's party!
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I can't say that I've blogged about many historic moments in my almost ten years of blogging about the Houston media, but this week, I think we all just lived through one.

Ward, who started anchoring the 6 and 10pm KTRK abc13 newscasts in 1968, officially stepped down from the late news last night. He will continue anchoring the 6pm news.

There are many Houstonians, me included, who have not lived a day without Dave Ward being the 10pm anchor. Not only did he help raise the station to unbelievable ratings during that time, but Ward is a Houston institution. He was there through wars, political upheaval, NASA's triumphs/struggles, economic booms/recessions, our sports teams winning/losing...etc. Think of all the city and area county leaders that have come and gone since Ward has sat in the anchor chair.

Now for some personal Ward stories I don't think I've ever shared on my blog. For a high profile TV anchor, Ward is really the most humble news guy you could encounter. Believe me, many in his position would not be that way. Think the Ted Baxter or Ron Burgundy caricature concerning lead anchormen in the zeitgeist. Ward, the man, is actually a quiet presence who you can catch whistling to himself down the hallway who keeps to himself much of the time.

When I first got to KTRK, I was at the station cafeteria, run by Novlean Smith at the time, and who walked in but Dave Ward. I couldn't help but ask did he ever think when he started at the station all those years ago that he would rise to such success and be the top anchor all these years. His answer was something like, "No, but also no one else offered me another job." That is a line I have heard him use other times, but it kind of explains his attitude.

As a young special projects producer, I got quite an early assignment. Go with Dave Ward to Austin and produce his interview with Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. Wow. Talk about pressure for me.

So there I was, the night before the big interview having dinner with Ward, Campbell, Campbell's wife Reuna and the future Mrs. McGuff who was living in Austin at the time.

It was an amazing evening. All I could do was sit back and soak in the stories these two legends were telling.

Afterwards, we had drinks with Ward at the famous Driskill Hotel along Sixth Street. The World Series was on TV and Ward was calling the game between the the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. It was immediately obvious that even in another city, people recognized Dave Ward since they could not stop staring.

My original channel 13 cafeteria questioning continued since I had Ward's undivided attention. Naturally I had to ask about Marvin Zindler and the famous "Thank you Marvin" line. He told me many times it was all he could say without cracking up after Zindler's wild on-air antics.

The next day, Ward and I showed up at the interview with photographer Jim Myers and found some unexpected people at Campbell's office. Turns out, Campbell told friends in Houston that Ward was interviewing him that day. Those friends then drove to Austin to specifically meet Dave Ward and get pictures with him.

Talk about star power.

Back to present day and last night's party, those in attendance were who you might expect to see honoring Ward. Friends ranging from Kitty Borah, to Jan Carson and Ed Brandon all the way to Art Rascon and Melanie Lawson surrounded the Houston TV legend. Former bosses Dave Strickland and Don Kobos joined the crowd calling Ward the best TV anchor in America.

And luckily, we'll still be able to Watch Dave at 6pm.

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Dave Ward honored with street name next to abc13 Houston studios

Dave Ward is so beloved by the city of Houston for his 50 years of broadcasting service to the community, that he now has his own honorary named street next to the KTRK studios.

- The Dave Ward memoir

"I want to thank you all, I can't tell you what this means to me," Ward remarked to the crowd of family and friends gathered for the street sign unveiling. "I got my name on a building now, I got my name on a street. I guess a few people in Houston have heard of me."

As of Tuesday August, 8, 2023, the intersection of 3400 Bissonnet Street and 5200 Westchester has a blue marker on top of the red Upper Kirby district street sign that displays "Honorary Dave Ward Place." 

The abc13 studios are right there at 3310 Bissonnet. Ward's wife, Laura, helped orchestrate the big honor.

Channel 13 employees of past and present were in attendance to show their love for Houston's anchorman. 

"I sat next to Dave Ward for basically, 27 years, and he is more than just a colleague, he was family, he's my friend," former Ward co-anchor Shara Fryer told mikemcguff.com. "And the respect we had for each other, and the respect he showed me as a young person at the time when i came to work here, and now I'm seeing this culmination. There is a Crime Stoppers building named for him. And now a street corner named for him."

"Dave was part of the building and I guess now he's part of the street," joked retired abc13 traffic anchor and "Good Morning Houston" host Don Nelson to mikemcguff.com.

"Long overdue," former KTRK news director Dave Strickland told mikemcguff.com.  "Dave Ward is a legend and it's good to see his work as the 'Voice of Houston' immortalized next to the station where he dedicated his career."

"Well deserved, Dave is an icon in the community and a well respected journalist who always dealt with facts straight and forward," former KTRK assistant news director/reporter Don Kobos told mikemcguff.com.  "He is highly respected for what he did and what he brought to channel 13."

Right before the big unveiling, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Police Chief Troy Finner and KTRK General Manager Wendy Granato honored Ward. 

"For a long time, we've wanted to do something special to honor Dave's contribution to the community," Mayor Turner told the guests.  "And we thought an honorary street sign near Channel 13 made the most sense because he spent so much of his personal and professional life right here." 

Ward signed-off abc13 as evening anchor in May 2017.

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New KPRC building moves channel 2 into 21st century

MIKEMCGUFF.COM EXCLUSIVE: As the first new TV station to be built in Houston since the 1990s, KPRC is building for the future of TV and employee happiness - get your first look

Dave Strickland and Jerry Martin in new KPRC 2 newsroom SEE MORE PHOTOS

As I followed KPRC 2 VP/General Manager Jerry Martin through the hallways of the Graham Media Group station's future home, it became apparent that he has paid close attention to every little detail.

"Yeah, it's taken up a lot of extra time every day," Martin told mikemcguff.com. "So there's a lot on the general manager to get it done and get it done on time, on budget, etc. So it's my baby, yeah."


Still required to wear hardhats, the tour of Martin, news director Dave Strickland and myself encountered busy construction workers in practically every nook and cranny of the building site.

A representative from DPR Construction told me it has around 100 staffers working on the new 65,000 square foot station, being built directly behind KPRC's soon-to-be old building in the former parking lot. The current station has been there since the early 1970s.

"It was a great building, and I'm not trying to say anything about the architecture or this building, but it just doesn't lend itself to 2016 broadcasting," Martin admitted. "So, normally I think what would've happened is we would've just rehabbed this building, done a serious rehab. And we looked at that. But at the end of the day, we ended up with, a better building, but not a great building. And when we looked at building one in our own parking lot and we did the math on it, the difference between rehabbing this one the correct way and a new building, it wasn't too much of a difference."

And 2016 broadcasting means lots of computer servers and thousands of cable runs. The new building keeps all of that in mind, plus growth for KPRC's digital strategies with two control rooms and studios.

Then there is the employee morale factor.

The current KPRC newsroom looks like a bunker. That's because it was the home of the NBC affiliate's newscasts from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. As a result there could be no windows. Once the news set was moved back to its own studio, the news department now lives in a big gray room with fluorescent lighting. A few artifacts from the old set remain. One employee joked to me it was hard to tell when Hurricane Ike was actually hitting the building with its Brutalist architecture fortress motif.

"In our present newsroom, you wouldn't know if you're working the midnight shift or if you're working at four o'clock in the afternoon," Martin said. "So, I think for employee morale, it'll be a big deal."

New KPRC 2 newsroom SEE MORE PHOTOS

The new KPRC newsroom will be all about light and have an open concept feel similar to what you would think of an internet company. But like those dot com companies, I'm doubting there will be a foosball table and beer pong area...after all it is still a news operation! And forget about fluorescent lighting - the new station is all LED.

Balcony (inside view) SEE MORE PHOTOS

Part of the little details that Martin pointed out to me were an upstairs balcony in the sales department where all employees can get sun light and fresh air. It's an idea Martin had from living in a condo with a big balcony.

"It's a good option for people on both floors, second floor or first floor to get outside, but not be in an enclosed space where, if it rains or happens to rain, you're not going to get rained on at all," Martin explained.

Old and new buildings with tower SEE MORE PHOTOS

That balcony has a covered walkway jutting out of it for employees coming to/leaving work from the parking lot. Then it donned on me. How many TV stations have I ever been to that have covered employee walkways? Not many.

The central area SEE MORE PHOTOS

Next, what Martin calls, "the wow factor." The central part of the building could be called the Times Square of KPRC where all department wings come together in a lounge area enclosed by a grand staircase. Not only is this interior part the center of the station's universe, but much like Times Square, it also has some dazzle. A giant illuminated seven foot KPRC 2 logo will adorn the wall. Martin says employees can work, meet and socialize here.

KPRC management hopes the openness and flow of the new building will lead to collaboration between employees, because unlike the current building, someone from one department could actually run into someone from another. They realized the benefit of department-wide collaboration during the station's annual Habitat for Humanity community building project.

"You end up talking and working with people that you don't necessarily see on a day-to-day basis," KPRC news director Dave Strickland told mikemcguff.com. "And it's really nice, and I think that's what makes this place so unique."

Bottom line, beyond the need for technical upgrades, station management thinks the new building will help keep good employees and attract new ones. Especially as KPRC 2 has steadily moved up in the TV ratings over the last years and has good momentum going forward.

"It's a competitive business, and I think if people are considering Houston as a place to work in the TV business, that's an advantage that we're gonna have," Martin told me. "And we think we have an advantage as it is because we have a very solid management team. And we've got continuity going back now that we didn't have when I got here. We've got much better communication throughout the building, and I think this will just enhance that when we get there."


As the station opens a new chapter with its new building, it closes another as it will demolish the long-time current building. It's location will become the parking lot. I'm told the iconic KPRC tower that decorates the I-69/Highway 59 corridor will remain. A tall vertical KPRC sign will cover the front left side of the new gray and black building.

The new studio SEE MORE PHOTOS

March is the projected time for the first wave of staffers to move into the new building. Houston TV viewers will probably actually see a newscast from the new station in April. Martin told there will be a brand new set too. Don't ask me for details on how that will look since the studio is still under construction. There wasn't even a hint of a set in the room yet.

Meanwhile, excited KPRC employees will have to wait for their move-in day and continue parking in temporary lots. Minor discomfort aside, staffers still work interrupted in their current building and then get a chance to work in the first new television station built in Houston since FOX moved KRIV to its new studio in the 1990s.

"The statement that Graham's making and that Emily [Barr] (President & Chief Executive Officer of Graham Media Group) was making is Houston is a very important part of our station group," Martin added. "And that they're investing in the future, and they believe in broadcasting."

RELATED
- FULL COVERAGE: New KPRC 2 studio building for 2017
- KPRC 2 to get a new station, plus secret of current building
- KPRC 2 new studio construction begins

DID YOU KNOW?

KPRC channel 2 and AM were originally on Post Oak near where the Williams Tower stands today. Former 950 KPRC employee, Jim Bell, told me the old spot was actually across the street by the lake where Hidalgo and Richmond sit today.

Bill Bremer sent me this photo.

Gary Griffin of Retronuvo Media adds that KPRC's original building was a Quonset hut down Loop 610 West behind what is now the giant Houston Community College (HCC) building. That was back when the call letters were KLEE-TV.

Bill Balleza honored with Dave Ward "Excellence in Media" award

Former KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza was honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award for 2023. It's cool to see one Houston news legend honoring another. 

"Humbled and grateful to be honored with an award named after my good friend, Dave Ward," Balleza said on Facebook.

The award was presented during the Crime Stoppers of Houston 2023 Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon held at the Royal Sonesta Houston on April 26, 2023.

Balleza retired from KPRC 2 in January 2020 after a 49-year career in the television news business.  Watch his final channel 2 sign-off.

RELATED
- Shara Fryer and Randy Wallace honored at Crime Stoppers of Houston Heroes Award Luncheon
- Dave Strickland honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award
- Ted Oberg takes home first Dave Ward Media Excellence Award

Dave Ward and Shara Fryer: The interview

Dave Ward interviews 740 KTRH's Shara Fryer for Season 2, episode 4 and 5 of the “Dave Ward & Friends podcast!"

Classic abc13 KTRK viewers will savor this video reunion of the two 27-year evening newscast co-anchors. 

In fact, Fryer just won the 2022 Dave Ward Media Excellence Award. Previous winners have been KPRC 2 news director Dave Strickland an dabc13 KTRK reporter Ted Oberg.

Wendy Granato is KTRK abc13 news director

UPDATE AUGUST 07, 2019
Wendy Granato named KTRK President and General Manager

Wendy Granato gets newly expanded role of KTRK abc13 Vice President of News and Digital Content

Wendy Granato

Yesterday, the news came out of KTRK abc13 that special projects executive producer Wendy Granato is taking over the seat left by longtime news director Dave Strickland in July. This makes Granato the first female news director in the station's history.

If Granato's last name sounds familiar...there's a reason for it. Her husband is longtime sports radio talker John Granato (now 1560 KGOW; Formerly 610 KILT, Houston Texans sideline reporter & KNWS 51).

 The couple's quarterback son also made news when Rice University creatively recruited him from Kinkaid.

I don't know if KTRK bothered to send a press release like the other stations do for such a big hire, so I'm posting the internal memo KTRK general manager Henry Florsheim sent the staff:

After literally speaking with candidates from coast to coast, it turns out the next ABC 13 News Director was already right here in Houston. I’m most pleased to let everyone know that Wendy Granato has a agreed to become the new Vice President of News and Digital Content at KTRK-TV. Along with an extensive news background, everyone who has worked with Wendy knows she has suburb communication and organizational skills. As technology has allowed viewer patterns and consumption practices to change, she has taken a leadership position in the newsroom embracing and initiating any number of new digital projects. At a time when our industry and business is facing unparalleled change and challenge, Wendy has time and again demonstrated an ability to create top quality content across a wide range of formats and platforms.

Over the last twelve years at the Station, Wendy has a proven track record of success on multiple high profile projects in both the News and Programming Departments including signature Station events that cross departments . As senior Executive News Producer, Special Projects for a decade, Wendy has overseen special promotable news reports, medical reporting, and consumer reports, alerts, and investigations. For many seasons she coordinated much of the station’s pre and regular season Texans coverage; and has served as Executive Producer of the Houston Marathon programming and race coverage. Wendy has moved from News to Programming and back throughout her career. She first came to the station in 1998 to join the Programming Department. She was promoted from Producer, to Senior Producer to Executive Producer of the Debra Duncan Show.

Wendy’s first broadcast experience was in News as a producer/reporter/ anchor/ assignment editor and Executive Producer at various times at KATC-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana. She moved to Houston to a position of anchor/ producer at KNWS-TV--the 24 hour news operation-- in 1993. Over time, as had occurred previously, she found herself increasing drawn toward production; and over a span of three years held a series of positions culminating in being named News Director from 1996 to 1998. During that period she oversaw editorial content, staffing, and operations of station.

An Louisiana State University graduate, Wendy double major in Broadcast Journalism and History. In case you haven’t heard, she’s said to have a keen interest in football. I’m sure we’ll all give her a hand as she steps into her new role.

RELATED
- Houston Internet musical "Horrible Turn" debuts with KTRK 13 cameo
- Don Kobos retires from KTRK abc13
- KTRK abc13 EP Jerry Vazquez to be KTMD news director
- KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland resigns

PICS: KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward's 45 year party

I blogged a few weeks ago about the big '45 years on the air bash' held for KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward. The party was thrown by Ward's wife, Laura, at Tony's (for those not in Houston, arguably the best restaurant in town).

I came across some fantastic photos taken at the event.  These pics give us a view of what the lucky 1% or so of KTRK staff who attended got to experience. Shelby Hodge reported there was "a surprise video greeting from Diane Sawyer." I can add some of the menu choices included Seared Sea Bass, Fire Roasted Amish Hen, Veal Piccata Romana and Riviera Salad.

KTRK General Manager Henry Florsheim, Laura and Dave Ward - Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

KTRK News Director Dave Strickland, Wayne Dolcefino, Ted Oberg - Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

Art Rascon and Melanie Lawson with Ward - Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

Ward with Ilona Carson - Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

Don Nelson, Doug Brown and Tom Koch - the old team back together - Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

See all of the photos taken at the party through CatchlightGroup.com.

It's break time, 101 KLOL and where is Dave Ward?

See you soon and subscribe to my social media accounts below to keep informed

Mike McGuff and 101 KLOL Runaway Radio

Wow! The summer started off slow for about two weeks and then the Houston media news went full throttle.

Right now we are waiting to see who will be named KTRK abc13 news director, if there will be an interim named in the meantime, has someone already been hired or will a certain KTRK reporter's husband be waiting in the wings to assume the position. Try saying all of that five times fast.

Also where the heck is anchor Dave Ward?

I think the other stations are fairly stable right now...or at least more stable than KTRK at the moment. KPRC will have to hire a new assistant news director, but that's about all I remember. Oh yeah, and KHOU could name a new consumer reporter soon.

If we get any answers, well, they will have to wait to be put on this blog. I'm taking some time off. Got too much going on!

I am putting the finishing touches on my Rock 101 KLOL documentary script. By the way, if you have any KLOL related photos/videos (like you with a KLOL DJ or even in a KLOL shirt) or stories email me!

I'm also building websites for clients to help pay for the cost of this amazing documentary.

And most importantly, I have my two kids with me who have no more organized activities.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what's going on while I'm away. I'll still feature some news there that won't be on the blog like usual.

BTW, I have some great blog material coming up when I return. New Houston media job announcements and some TV talent acting naughty. I think mikemcguff.com might have to come in and spank them!

IN CASE YOU MISSED SOME BIG HOUSTON MEDIA SUMMER NEWS
- Demond Fernandez moves to WFAA from KTRK abc13
- Bill Young, broadcasting legend, is gone
- 'Live Well Network' plug pulled by Disney-ABC Television Group
- Darby Douglas to return to KHOU 11
- Lauren Talarico joins KHOU from WLTX Columbia, SC
- Mary Benton is leaving KPRC 2
- Former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard has died
- Katherine Whaley leaving KHOU 11
- Courtney Zubowski leaving KHOU 11
- Rhonda Errer LaVelle is new KPRC 2 news director
- Tracy Clemons heads to KTRK abc13
- KTRK and ABC stations to start central master control hub
- Simone Eli is new KPRC 2 weekend sports anchor
- Jacob Rascon now at NBC News
- KTRK abc13 news director Dave Strickland resigns
- Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX

Texas TV news and radio job moves November 2021

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

TAB Launching Statewide Broadcast News Awards Program - Successor to Texas AP Awards, Entry Window Opens Jan. 3.

2021 Lone Star EMMY winners
Texas 2021 NAB Marconi Radio Awards Winners

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Univision promotes Calixto Gonzalez to vice president of news at KUVN Dallas from assistant news director role at Univision’s KWEX San Antonio.

Anchors at FOX 4 KDFW celebrated getting new duratran backgrounds on its 15-year-old set.

How WFAA’s Marc Istook Does the Holidays.

KCBI/Dallas-Ft. Worth Taps Sonny Delfyette For PM Drive.

CUMULUS MEDIA Signs New Deal With Mark “Hawkeye” Louis, Longtime DFW Morning Personality on New Country 96.3/KSCS-FM.
- KSCS (New Country 96.3)/Dallas' Mark 'Hawkeye' Louis Will Host New Podcast, 'Hawkeye On Hawkey

Former TV anchor Brendan Higgins among 9 suing over alleged priest sex abuse.

DFW teacher moonlights as online journalist hoping to inspire his students.

Audacy Makes Alternative Lineup Changes In Dallas & Kansas City As Klein & Ally Go Back To Los Angeles Only.

Former DFW radio host indicted on sexual assault charge from New Year’s Eve party.

North Texas Radio Host Gets 3 Life Prison Terms for Targeting Listeners in Scheme.

D Magazine Booted off Grocery Store Magazine Rack.

Nick Starling joins CBS 11 KTVT DFW
Natalie Solis leaves FOX 4 KDFW
David Goins joins NBC 5 KXAS
Kalee Dionne to leave WFAA Dallas
WFAA 8's Chris Lawrence interviews Santa Claus

HOUSTON

Freddy Cruz Exits Middays At KRBE/Houston After 21 Years.

Hulu Pulls abc13 KTRK ‘Astroworld: Concert From Hell’ Documentary After Backlash 

Mitchell Zevallos joins Telemundo Houston KTMD as an MMJ.

KPRC 2 sports journalist Alex Radow leaves to join the Angleton School District as their Multimedia Coordinator.

Landry Locker Takes Something From Everyone.

VMG Announces Sale of the Houston Press.

Cox Media Group Houston Names Melissa Rivera Integrated Sales Manager.

Former abc13 KTRK reporter Foti Kallergis becomes Director of Public Relations and External Communications at Comcast from Director of Communications and Public Relations for Houston Airports, the City of Houston's Department of Aviation.

Tom Zizka enters into a new contract with FOX 26 KRIV.

Click2Houston.com wins EPPY Awards.

According to social media, Moriah A. Ballard leaves abc13 KTRK to go across the street to KPRC 2 to become a digital producer.

SportsMap Radio Launching 'Fred Nation.'

Kyle King joins 104.1 KRBE as part-time on air talent. 

Daniella Guzman rejoins KPRC 2
Patrina Adger joins abc13 KTRK
Dave Froehlich joins KHOU 11
Addison Green leaves KHOU 11
Tom Koch shaves his mustache!
Rilwan Balogun joins KPRC 2
Justin McKee is HPM's New Director of Creative Services
Kevin Lightfoot joins WCBS NY as assistant news director
Brian Shannon returns to Houston at KHOU
Houston's SuiteRadio racking up affiliates
Laurie Johnson-Ramirez promoted to HPM news director
Dave Strickland & Rod Ryan honored by Houston Children’s Charity
Fmr. Houston TV producer talks hyperlocal news
89.3 KSBJ Recognizes Outstanding Service with Community Impact Awards
Dave Ward honored by Houston Police Foundation
Houston TV getting ATSC 3.0 December 2021
Maggie Flecknoe is married
Charly Edsitty in “Our America: Indigenous and Urban”
Vida Unida to debut on 91.7FM Houston
Broadcast Bulletin TV News podcast launches in November
Tom Abrahams is in the top 10!
Former KPRC reporter talks "Disrupting The News"
Houston TV traffic anchors battle over METRO buses
Larry Weidman: From KPRC 2 to NBC News

SAN ANTONIO

Emily Baucum is officially the permanent Sunday evening newscast anchor for News 4 SA WOIA and FOX 29 KABB.

Morgan Burrell announces she is leaving News 4 San Antonio and KABB FOX 29 News San Antonio where she has worked as multimedia journalist for the last two years.

Why KENS 5's Vinnie Vinzetta makes helping foster children a priority.

Leigh Munsil, an editor at CNN Politics, has been named the next editor-in-chief of the nonprofit San Antonio Report, succeeding founding Editor Robert Rivard.

Alek Halverson named PD, KJ97/San Antonio.

Deborah Knapp steps back from KENS 10pm, anchors 5pm
Sarah Forgany talks KENS 5 career and baby life
Audrey Castoreno named KENS 5 noon and 4pm anchor
Leigh Waldman joins KSAT San Antonio
Alanna Sarabia is married
Sarah Duran joins KENS 5
Ryan Shoptaugh joins KENS 5 San Antonio

AUSTIN

KXAN's Britt Moreno, Robert Hadlock discuss journalism with Nightly News' Lester Holt.

Stef Manisero leaves Spectrum Austin, where she was a sports anchor and MMJ, returning to New York as a Spectrum NY1 MMJ.

“Texas Standard’s” Joy Diaz turns the page on her journalism career to start a new season of public service.

Christopher Nunley, Ph.D. joins KVUE Austin
Dominique Newland joins KVUE
Daranesha Herron promoted to KVUE anchor
Tori Larned leaves KVUE Austin
Kelly Saberi joins FOX Austin
KVUE Austin gives thanks

AROUND TEXAS

400 Consecutive Football Broadcasts for "Voice of the Baylor Bears" John Morris.

Fidel Moreno-Meza joins KDBC CBS 4 El Paso as morning reporter.

Diana Maldonado joins CBS4/NBC23 KVEO Rio Grande Valley as assistant news director after working in newspapers for nearly 15 years. 

KCEN 6 News' Kris Radcliff named best local TV personality.

KCEN Holds Veterans Day Fundraiser For Fort Hood USO.

CBS19 KYTX in Tyler Sports Director Johnny Congdon returning to Alabama to work for ABC 33/40 WBMA as a Sports Reporter Birmingham.

CUMULUS MEDIA Appoints Nadia Cowart as Digital Sales Manager for Beaumont/Lake Charles.

CBS7 KOSA Odessa’s Joshua Skinner has been promoted to weekday anchor.

Tyler, TX AM-Translator Combo Sold.

Trevor Thompson joins KTSM 9 News El Paso
Texas Country Reporter host Bob Phillips celebrates 50 years
Texas TEGNA stations make major changes November 2021
WTAW College Station celebrates 100th anniversary of first play by play US broadcast
Stephania Martinez joins KMID
Amanda Atwell to leave KVEO Local 23/CBS 4 RGV
Greg McAlister named GM KCBD-KLCW Lubbock
DeJonique Garrison leaves 12News KBMT Beaumont

REMEMBERING

KUT/Austin Weekend Host, Veteran Commercial And Sports Producer Bill Harwell Dies.

Lone Star EMMY Silver Circle 2023 inductees

Carolyn Mungo, Raul Peimbert, David Strickland

The Lone Star EMMYs have announced the inductees to the chapters Silver Circle for 2023.

"I'm floored," Dave Strickland, one of the 2023 honorees, told mikemcguff.com.  "What an honor to be associated with some of the legends of Houston and Texas Broadcasters. I have had a great run and worked with some of the very best. It's just an incredible honor."

I had the honor of working for Strickland when he was the abc13 KTRK Houston news director.  He also went on to lead the KPRC 2 newsroom.

Other 2023 honorees include anchor Raul Peimbert of Univision 45 KXLN.

"Raul is very deserving of being inducted into this prestigious Society of Honor," Martha Kattan​, Vice President of Content TelevisaUnivision, Inc. told mikemcguff.com.  "It is a testament to his dedication, commitment and passion to excellence in Spanish language broadcast journalism. What an honor and blessing to work alongside such a respected, trustworthy and recognized Hispanic journalist in the United States.  We are extremely grateful to have Raul Peimbert in the Univision family and congratulate him on this very special recognition."

Kattan is a 2017 inductee of the Silver Circle. 

Former Houston TV journalist (KHOU 11/FOX 26 KRIV) and now WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth General Manager Carolyn Mungo is also joining the Silver Circle. 

"I’m blessed to have built a career in this crazy business," Mungo told mikemcguff.com.  "I’m proud to be a journalist and still love what I do. Pretty good deal."

Outside of the local television news world, Ron Kabele of Texas Parks and Wildlife is also inducted.

According to the chapter website: 

 "The Silver Circle honors media professionals who began their careers in television at least 25 years ago, either in a performing, creative, technical or administrative role within the industry or in an area related to television such as TV journalism education, advertising, promotion, and public relations. They must also have made a significant contribution to the Lone Star Chapter television for at least part of their 25-year career. The Lone Star Chapter of NATAS has been honoring and celebrating our Silver Circle members since 2003."

You can see those already in the Silver Circle here.

The Lone Star EMMY Chapter awards show will take place November 11, 2023 at the 713 Music Hall in Houston. 

Fmr. KTRK sports reporter Bruce Gietzen retires from TV

Former KTRK abc13 sports reporter and Houston Rockets broadcaster Bruce Gietzen to leave TV news and remain in Waco


After 33 years in the TV biz, Bruce Gietzen is leaving TV screens.

For the last 12, Gietzen has been anchoring the news from behind the desk of KXXV News Channel 25 Waco, Temple and Killeen. Today marks his last day at that gig. Starting at the end of the month, Gietzen will become the Director of Communications for the Waco Independent School District.

"Now [I] will have a schedule that mirrors my wife's," Gietzen told mikemcguff.com. "She's a terrific teacher who changes lives every year, and that's so much more important than doing TV. Education has become a passion of mine and I'm excited to take on a new challenge."

Houstonians will know Gietzen from his days as the sports reporter for KTRK abc13 and as a member of the Houston Rockets and Astros broadcast team.

I got Gietzen to tell me about some of his favorite Houston sports stories he got to cover.

On his time at KTRK:

"Our sports department at KTRK in the eighties was a great group - Bob Allen and Tim Melton, two great guys, and myself, and our sports producer was Dave Strickland, who years later was the News Director of what was one of the top news operations in the country. With Marvin [Zindler] and Dave Ward and Ed Brandon, KTRK was a real powerhouse.

They were one of the first stations in the country to go to an hour newscast at 6 p.m. and it had two sportscasts. That second one came on about 6:40 and that's why I got hired at Channel 13 - they wanted "people stories" in that second block, not typical highlights and scores, and Bob came up with the idea to call it "Time Out with Bruce Gietzen" and I had a blast -- and pretty much free reign doing those stories.

Mike Tyson was just a few months into his professional boxing career and had won his first 11 or 12 fights all by knockout in the first round. He came to Houston as part of the Budweiser boxing series and was fighting a guy named Eddie Mitchell. Tyson was up and coming, and I went to do a story on this kid who was the talk of the boxing world, getting video of a workout a couple days before the fight.

We shot him sparring with someone, jumping rope, and doing one armed push ups...then did an interview.

One question I asked him was, 'Did you always want to be a fighter? You look more like a football player than a boxer.'

He answered in that high pitched voice, 'Yea? You look like you eat too much.'

I told him he was right.

A few minutes later we were packing up and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and Tyson sincerely said, 'Jimmy told me my comment was uncalled for and I needed to apologize to you. I'm sorry I said you look like you eat too much.' (Jimmy was his manager, the legendary Jimmy Clayton.)

Of course I replied, 'No problem Mike. We're good.'

'You sure,' he asked.

'Yes, absolutely.'

He then shook my hand and said thank you for coming out and doing the story.

What was I going to do? Get mad at him? I don't think so.

Tyson knocked the guy out a couple nights later 22 seconds into the first round.

He and I can share that special interview moment!"


On his time with the Houston Rockets broadcast team:

"I left [KTRK] in '88 to be part of the broadcast team for the Astros and worked with Milo [Hamilton], [Larry] Dierker and Bill Brown. Another really good group of guys, and Milo was an old school baseball encyclopedia. I learned a lot from him about preparation and timing.

The job doing Rockets studio work came about almost by accident. The Rockets were on the road in December in Detroit and the TV play by play guy was either Ron Franklin or Bill Worrell at that time ('89 or '90). They had a sore throat and laryngitis so Channel 20 called me and asked if I could be on standby to fly to Michigan to help with the broadcast if they couldn't go the entire game. Then Franklin said he could do the game, but we decided to send it back to the Houston studio for the half-time and post-game to save his voice. We did all that on less than 24 hours notice and had to scramble to get some video and stories put together since that was before the internet and all the digital revolution.

We did two of those studio shows on that road trip and the GM at Channel 20 liked them, so that's how those got started. At that time I think we were the second team in the NBA to do the studio wrap around shows besides either Sacramento or the Knicks. We had a lean and mean staff, but put together good, creative broadcasts, and I know the league showed tapes of our telecasts to other clubs to utilize that same format incorporating studio shows.

They evolved into pre-game, half-time and post-game, and we got a stable of ex-players to rotate joining me in the studio as the guest/analyst. It was Elvin Hayes, Purvis Short, Mike Woodson and Robert Reid came in some, so did Mike Newlin and John Lucas.

Their gifts for working were things like a pair of cowboys boots or a gift certificate for dinner or gasoline. After Kenny Smith retired, his agent called us one day and said Smith would like to get in that rotation and we said 'sure!' Then the agent said he'd do it for $5,000 a game and we had to say no, it wasn't in the budget, and told him what the other guys got.

A few days later the agent called again and said 'okay, he'll do it for $2,000 a game.' Kenny didn't get on our shows. Every time I see him now with Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, I think about that, and he may be getting that fee now!

Those were fun teams to cover, a diverse group of personalities. I remember in '94 we had to come from behind to beat the Knicks for the title. The format then was three middle games in a row in NY, and the feeling was the league offices so wanted New York to win the title. It was a hard fought defensive series and no team scored 100 points and we heard a lot of griping from New Yorkers.

We tried to do a mixture of hard core sports and fun things in those studio shows, to appeal to a wider audience. One year I challenged Elvin Hayes to a free throw contest, with no expectations. I beat him (Calvin Murphy said that was no big feat) and it became an annual story, and I'm not sure Elvin ever got over that embarrassment."



On his time in Waco TV:

"I got out of broadcasting in '96 and worked in Atlanta, then Washington DC in sports Marketing, then came back to Dallas. In 2003 I got back in as a news anchor in Waco, and that wasn't as fun as covering sports, but it was still good. There's a lot of news here for a market this size - big stories like the West fertilizer explosion, the two shootings at Ft. Hood, the Twin Peaks biker shootout, and of course Baylor's new stadium and athletic program.

Waco has a lot of positive things going on. Walking into McLane Stadium crossing the Brazos is one of the great college football experiences in the country, and of course you should do that right after having an infamous "gut pak" at Vitek's BBQ nearby.

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is right on the river, as is the Texas Ranger Museum, and the Baylor Campus. We also have our first National Park, the Wooly Mammoth Site, which is fantastic."