(April 28, 2015) For many people working radio in Kansas, landing at 580 WIBW in the capitol city of Topeka is a goal. The station is legendary and has the largest signal in the state. For STAA member Nick Gosnell, the goal has been achieved. Gosnell is joining WIBW in a role that will allow him to contribute to both news and sports coverage.
“Initially, I will help produce their morning programming and provide local sportscasts on 580’s NewsDay AM, and the morning sportscasts on the [statewide] Kansas Information Network,” says Gosnell.
Gosnell is the fourth STAA member on the WIBW staff, joining Jake Lebahn, Pat Strathman and Alex Gold.
Gosnell, his wife Pamela and their three sons move to Topeka from KNGL/KBBE in McPherson, KS where Gosnell has worked for the past 10 years. Coincidentally, it is the same station where STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik started his sportscasting career in 1989.
“WIBW is a good fit for me because it allows me to gain experience in a larger market and provides room for growth in my career while still allowing me to balance that growth with being the father of three boys and remaining close to my wife’s family, as she is a Kansas native,” says Gosnell.
In his initial contact with WIBW Program Directory Keith Montgomery, Gosnell sent the link to his STAA Talent Page. “It was extremely valuable in expediting the process,” Gosnell says. A couple weeks later, Montgomery contacted STAA to request Gosnell’s phone number. Chelesnik says, “When Keith called me, he said he wanted to create a new position for which Nick was uniquely qualified.”
“I am excited about the potential for a better quality of life for my family and the opportunity to be heard daily on a statewide network,” Gosnell says excitedly. “It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
(Visit Nick’s STAA Talent Page).