Monday, April 28, 2008

Drake Relays - George

I attended the Saturday session of the 2008 Drake Relays with son Andrew.  Conditions weren't ideal, but many top performances were turned in.  Andy got us excellent seats in the front row right by the tunnel where the athletes exited the track after their events to retrieve their sweats and do interviews.

I attended my first Drake Relays in 1997 when son Michael was running for Washington High School.  My family sent me for my birthday and I can honestly say that it bordered on a religious experience for me.  It was a treat to watch Michael's 4 x 400 relay team place 6th despite the fact that anchor Rob Brimmer was tripped, then bumped after he picked himself up off the track.

I have always liked track.  I ran in high school and covered the track and cross country teams while working as an assistant to the sports information director at South Dakota State University.  I even took coaching of track.  As a class, we ran the meets that SDSU hosted.  I served as public address announcer.

I have been to the Texas Relays, the NCAA Championships -- even the 1976 Montreal Olympics with brother John.

Over the years at Drake, I have had the pleasure of watching such top athletes as Michael Johnson, Kevin Little, Jeremy Wariner, Joey Woody and Lolo Jones perform at Drake.  It was also a thrill to watch SDSU's Brad Lowery win the 1500 in 2005 after already winning the 5000.

I'm sure I'll be back at the blue track in 2009.

George Dorman - News and Operations Director

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Where's Cary? - Dennis

On the heels of the unfortunate news that local TV station KGAN has dismissed our beloved Cary J. Hahn, many KCCK listeners expressed gratitude that they could continue to hear Cary indulge his OTHER passion, Big Band music, on his weekly show on KCCK.

Well, if you've been listening to Big Band Memories lately, you know that there is an "Iowa Traveler"- sized hole in our broadcast day. Cary has been off the air since March 21.

It has nothing, well, nothing directly to do with his departure from TV. Cary has thrown his hat in the ring for political office in Linn County. Due to federal Equal Time for candidates provisions, this requires him to take a leave of absence from his KCCK show.

Ironically, the restrictions don't apply to office holders, only candidates. So, win or lose, we expect him back on the air in a few months.

In the meantime, the very able Murray Kent will be filling both halves of Big Band Memories during Cary's leave.