by Steve Dunford 

Before I get into taking about Kelly Mason, allow me to give a little history of WEBQ’s coverage of sports.

All my life I listened to high school basketball on WEBQ in Harrisburg.  The station always covered more than the Bulldogs. They cover have the GEC heavily. Over the years.

Since WKSI in Eldorado, went off the air nearly a couple of decades ago, the station covers the Eagles.  WEBQ-FM is now on the old WKSI frequency of 102.3.

Before then WEBQ-FM’s frequency was 99.9  It was known as Rock 100.  Several years ago Zimmer Broadcasting (now River Radio) bought the 50,000 watt blowtorch, and it is now Z-100..

There were three play by play men that always had the WEBQ sound as I call it; Mackie Nichols, Dave Bard and Wyatt Drake. These legends should never be forgotten for their broadcasting ablility and their dedication.

Occasionally on High School broadcasts, you would hear Dr. W (Larry Walton) doing color.  He tried to set the Guinness book of World Record for staying on the air consecutively the longest. He fell short by a few hours.  You would also hear Briggs Gordon (aka. Uncle Briggs) as a color man.

The station has always been a trendsetter covering sports.  Several nights, they broadcast and  stream three games on AM, FM, and on the internet.

A few years ago I listened to a T’ville streaming broadcast and Kelly Mason was at the mic.  She has a conversation with the listening audience.  The best comparison I can make of her style is recently retired Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully.

I asked her how she got her start.  She was listening to WEBQ. and heard they needed some on air talent to cover sports. The station was having a live remote at a hardware store, that just opened up in Eldorado.

She was talking to Sales Manager Sonny Dotson and Cathy Horton, who has wore many hats at the station over the years.  She asked them about the position, and the rest is history.

The 1983 Eldorado graduate lettered in many sports, as well as at John A. Logan College.  She went on to be a golfer for SIU.

While she was at Southern, she did a little coaching at John A. Logan. My cousin, Michelle Marvel was on a volleyball scholarship at the time.  She said she knew her well, but lost contact.  I told her that she is a chiropractor, practicing in West Frankfort and Eldorado.

The conversation turned to Redbird Girls Coach Matt Hampleman. I told her that we used to work out together, ate supper at our house a lot, and  was my brothers best man.  She said he is one of the “good guys” in the business.

She then told me that some were not accepting of her, when she got her start.  She said the late West Frankfort broadcaster Bruce A. Fasol, was an encouragement and a great help to her.

Kelly does play by play for several sports for the station.  She told me she has not called a football game yet.  Two sports that are unique she calls, is volleyball and soccer.

The conversation switched to Morgan Griffith.  I told her I wish I could have been at every game, but my health prevented me from it.  I told her that she is an incredible individual, and she already has an Associates degree from John A. Logan.  Most of all she is an outstanding young lady.

The conversation switched to the GEC.  I told her that I watch every Thompsonville game on YouTube and that is mainly how keep up with the conference. I told her that I have developed an awesome relationship with T’ville coach Pete Gordon and his wife. I then told her I talk to Gallatin County coach Doug Miller and there have been times I have talked with Hardin County coach Rodney Lane to the wee hours of the morning.

This is what she said about the GEC.  “I love covering that conference.  They gyms are packed every night.  It gives you a Hoosiers feel.

She told me that she would like to see more girls coverage.  She covered nearly 40 softball games for Harrisburg and Eldorado.  She got her wish.  WNSV in Nashville carried their game against West Frankfort.    Michael Marlo, who is growing by leaps and bounds as a broadcaster, was doing play-by-play for Q 106, during the Benton-Harrisburg game.

To promote her broadcasts, she had 2,000 business cards printed up, and handed them out to the other team.  She encouraged them to listen to the broadcasts  She said if I don’t have listeners, all I am doing is practicing.

She did not call last Tuesday night’s regional game from the broadcast booth.  She was sitting in a lawn chair among the Harrisburg faithful. I thought this was cool sitting in the crowd calling a game.

Last Thursday we swapped places.  I was in Harrisburg with my good friend Brian Johnson, covering the regional game with West Frankfort.  She was in West Frankfort covering the regional championship game between Harrisburg and Nashville.

There was a rain delay at West Frankfort.  The cell that prompted the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings missed Harrisburg.  After getting home from Harrisburg, I was able to start listening to her broadcast at the top of the third.

Nashville scored two runs in the top of the sixth to win the game 2-0.  She painted a wonderful picture of excitement.  After the tough loss, she said several times the Bulldogs were the best 17-19 team you would see.  She also had some encouraging words in the post game show.

I am going to rewind back a couple of months.  Kelly was flying solo calling the Christopher-Gallatin County game, at the NCOE Class 1A sectional.  The Bearcats were  down by double digits at times during the game.

In the fourth quarter they staged a huge comeback.  It was a barn-burner as the Hawks pulled it out 42-40.

This was also the night that an EF-4 tornado touched down in Perryville, and dissipated just south of Christopher.  She was giving tornado warnings and weather information and not missing a beat calling the tight game.  They were timely, she was sometimes ahead of Channel 12.

The broadcast that night was outstanding.  I am not a radio man, but I think her performance that night, is worthy of being nominated for a Silver Dome award.

I have covered local sports for the second school year now.  One of the great things is the relationships you make along the way.  When I met Kelly Mason last Tuesday, it was like we known each other for 20 years.  I am looking forward to crossing paths with her in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35469423/unsung-hero-isaiahs-new-leg

MARION, IL  (Ashley Smith- WSIL TV Please click on the link to read the full story and accompanying video.  Here is an exceprt)

A Marion teen is playing his favorite sport with ease thanks to a generous donation.

Isaiah Parrish plays basketball with his friends at Marion Junior High School. He runs up and down the court and sinks his shots with finesse.

But that hasn’t always been the case for this active 14-year-old.

Isaiah was in a lawn mower accident 10 years ago.

Doctors were unable to save his leg.

That was devastating news for his mom, Brandy Parson. She says Isaiah has always been an active kid.

NOTE:  I am very familiar with Nubability, and DuQuoin athlete Sam Kunert during his high school playing career.  He was an inspiration to several people including myself.