Local radio commentators cover state final

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Since 1980, Mike Meyer has been a voice on local radio for sports events.

A 1979 graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Broadcast Journalism, his “radio voice” has been heard at local sports events to just recently, the state championship competitions. He was born and raised in York and followed the radio broadcaster, Denny Matthews of the Kansas City Royals. Recently, he and his partner Jerry Meyer were given the honor of calling the D-6 Nebraska state football championships in Kearney, a new experience for Mike.

Mike started off in radio at KSRD in Seward for five years. He shared his experiences in early radio on the drive to Kearney for the championships.

“I can remember the telephone company putting in a special phone line for games in the 80’s” he said.

He also shared the memorable games.

“I covered a Wood River game when Scott Frost was a senior and froze outside sitting on a 2x10 bench in a pouring rain,” he said.

The other stories related to the size and accommodations in the press box.

“Some boxes are only 8 feet wide and you’ve got three stations and the announcer jammed in there … makes for a crowded scene,” he said.

The biggest change he’s seen over the 40 years is technology.

“You used to comb the newspaper for stats and scores,” he said. “Today, pull it up on computer and hit print and you are good to go. You see it also in the technology we use to communicate to the station – no more dedicated phone line. We use Marti, a transmitter to the station.”

He really enjoyed covering local sports teams and appreciated the honor of calling state title games in football in Memorial Stadium over the past few years. Mike had called many of Seward High girls’ basketball games and championships. The call to do 6-man football was a new experience for both Meyers.

Mike and Jerry Meyer were the dedicated radio broadcasters for Seward High School football this past season. They called for KoolRadio out of York. Mike was the dedicated play by play announcer and Jerry was the color commentator. The duo traveled and called from home all nine regular season games.

The announcers were called late in the season to call an 8-man game in Stromsburg. After that game, they were given the honor of calling the D-6 Nebraska State Championship Game at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Nov. 20. Neither announcer had called a 6-man game, so they prepared by watching film and interviewing players and coaches.

The Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at UNK is a 5,000 seat capacity, ultra-modern facility for the UNK Lopers. It also is the home for the 6-man football championships every year. The press boxes overlooking the stadium are impressive with monitors showing the most current game stats.

This year’s game featured the high scoring offenses of McCool Junction and Sterling. The game, on paper, looked to be an even match of two powerhouse teams. But McCool Junction dominated the game, 70-20. The game featured McCool Junction’s Owen McDonald (22 carries for 393 yards and 8 touchdowns) who dominated the game.

“If you haven’t seen a 6-man football game, you are missing out. It is truly fast paced and so much fun to watch,” said both Meyers.

“I looked over at Mike after the first couple of plays and he was trying to keep up with the stats on his notepad. I told him, ‘Look at the stat screen when you need numbers. Just call the action like you do,’” Jerry said.

The game, invented in Nebraska in 1934, was something to watch with the different rules, field dimensions and scoring. Both broadcasters were in awe of what the game meant to the small communities of McCool Junction and Sterling.

“We asked ourselves, after looking at the crowd, is there anyone left in those two towns?” they said.

Both Mike and Jerry look forward to calling Seward High School games in 2021.

“We are truly blessed that we are such good friends and enjoy our company on road trips, and we love calling high school football,” Jerry said.

Mike and his wife, Rhonda, have lived in rural Seward since 1979. Jerry and his wife, Mary, moved to Seward in 2014 where he’s the Nebraska National Guard Historian at the local museum.