Radio and television stations from across Wisconsin were recognized over the weekend at the 2024 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala. The awards were handed out at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton with 400 in attendance. WFDL AM 1170 (93.7FM-FDL, 103.3FM-Waupun), Sunny 97.7 FM, and 95.1 & 96.1 The Rock (WTCX) were recognized with a dozen awards in the Medium Market category.
Nick Rusch took home the first place trophy in Best Sports Coverage for his coverage of the Laconia and Waupun girls basketball teams’ trip to the state tournament. Rusch also won an award for Best Sportscast for his coverage of local teams and took second place in the Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement for an All-Phase Heating and Cooling commercial. Rusch produces the on-air program ‘Senior Soundwaves’ presented by Visiting Angels. Visiting Angels is a FDL senior home care provider. The program received an award for Best Significant Community Impact and has won the award multiple times over the years.
Kerry Longrie and Rusch received a first place trophy for Best Original Digital Content for a livestream high school prep football preview.
Gregg Owens and Keith Heisler were recognized with a Best Sports Coverage award for ‘The Game Plan.’ The popular show is broadcast ‘live’ from Fat Joe’s Burgers and Brew in Fond du Lac on Monday evenings following Green Bay Packers games on 95.1 & 96.1 The Rock (WTCX) and features a Packer host and guest player. Heisler and Owens ask insightful questions, recap the game, and take questions from the audience. The show has received multiple awards over the years.
Steve Winterhack received an award for Best Sports Play by Play coverage. Winterhack has won multiple awards over the years for his sports announcing.
News director Greg Stensland won first place in Spot News for his coverage of a deadly shooting last year outside a Fond du Lac apartment complex. He also took second place in that same category for his coverage of a tragic drowning at a Fond du Lac swimming pool. Stensland’s Continuing Coverage of the apartment shooting also earned him an award. Stensland received an award for Best Investigative Reporting for his coverage of a woman who tried to get her pet dog back from the Humane Society, and he received a second place award for Best Feature for an in-depth story about teenage pregnancy. Over the years Stensland has won more than 150 awards from the WBA and Associated Press.
Competition for this year’s awards was as strong as ever with 1,535 award entries. A total of 120 stations participated. Entries were judged by professional broadcasters outside Wisconsin. “The atmosphere at this year’s awards gala was electric, reflecting the amazing work Wisconsin’s broadcasters did in 2023,” said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. “Wisconsin should be proud of the public service provided by local radio and TV stations. They are truly making a difference.”
