About
Tom believes you learn by doing. Examples here on campus would include, but are not limited to; working at the Promethean, the student campus newspaper or at KUWS 91.3 radio. Whatever your passion is, get involved and gain some experience, that is what news directors and employers are looking for. Tom is an award-winning TV, radio, online, broadcast announcer and sports anchor. He’s former sports director at KBJR6/KDLH3 TV for 23 years and has 36 years in Twin Ports media experience. Duties included writing and reporting sports stories and features in the Duluth/Superior market. Tom anchored 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and morning sportscasts with extensive play-by-play in high school and college athletics covering both women’s and men’s sports. He’s still doing so with a regional TV sports broadcast network and previously worked at KDAL Radio as a morning announcer and producer. For over three years from 2013-2016 was a member of the UW-Superior marketing and communications staff as a University Relations Specialist.
Tom understands communication is the key in any successful organization. He has outstanding communication skills in all forms: verbal, written, online, broadcast and oftentimes under deadline pressure. He has worked well with others in a group environment as well and has done so with diverse groups and organizations both on campus and in the community. Listening is also a must-have skill in the working world and in homes and Tom understands the need to have time for others. Social media plays a big role in today’s world and environment and he understands that and even played a role in doing so as part of the University Relations team here on campus for several years and does so even today in his current media work in radio. Tom is also the faculty advisor for the Promethean student newspaper, which was named the Program of the Year by Student Involvement for 2021-22, and is proud of the work that the students have dedicated to it to improve the quality of journalism here on campus. The newspaper turned 100 years-old in the 2019-20 academic school year.
Tom has been involved with the following organizations:
- DECC Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee
- John Baggs Scholarship Committee
- University of Minnesota Duluth Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee
- Superior-Douglas County Leadership Program, University of Wisconsin-Superior
- Sustainable Twin Ports Program, University of Wisconsin-Superior
- The College of St. Scholastica Athletics Hall of Fame Committee
- St. Francis Xavier Church, Superior, WI
Tom enjoys spending time with family and friends when not attending or covering local Twin Ports sporting events. Tom admits he needs to play more golf and go bicycle riding more often when time and weather allow. He’s passionate about news reporting and storytelling and doing so in a responsible and ethical manner. Tom is proud to be a UW-Superior alumnus, a member of the UW-Superior Athletic Hall of Fame and a member of the Communicating Arts faculty. Tom married a UW-Superior alumna who played softball at the university and raised his family here in Superior not far from school. Local stories about local topics and teams have won him numerous broadcasting awards and honors over three decades in the radio and television industry but most importantly wants to be kind to others. Live. Laugh. Love. Always. Everyday. Tom offers these six words to a successful life and career: Work hard. Be Kind. Have fun.
Awards
- 2022 – Advisor of the Year, University of Wisconsin-Superior Student Involvement
- 2016 – Spirit of McNair Award, University of Wisconsin-Superior McNair Scholars Program
- 2013 – Bruce Bennett Service Award, University of Minnesota Duluth Athletics
- 2010 – Chapter Play-by-Play Award (for first game at Amsoil Arena UMD Hockey vs. North Dakota), Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association
- 2009 – Regional Emmy Award (for live TV coverage of boy’s high school hockey)
- 2008 – Marsh Nelson Media Award, Grandmas Marathon
- 2006 – Inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletic Hall of Fame
- 2002 – First Place, Small Market Sports Reporting, Northwest Broadcast News Association
- 2000 – Minnesota Emmy Award, KBJR Newscast
- 1999 – Chancellor’s Outstanding Media Award, University of Minnesota Duluth
- 1998 – Honorable Mention, Sports Reporting, Radio Television Digital News Association
- 1993 – Merit Award Minor League Baseball Series, Radio Television Digital News Association
- 1989 – School Bell Merit Award, Duluth School Bond Election, Minnesota Education Association
- 1984 – Sportscaster of the Year, KQAL-FM, Winona, MN
- 1982 – Scholarship for Election Coverage, KAGE-FM, Winona, MN
Education
- 1989 – Master of Arts (M.A.) – Communications, University of Wisconsin-Superior
- 1985 – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Communications, Winona State University