GRIFFINS CAPTURE SIXTH BROADCAST EXCELLENCE AWARD

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins hockey on Newsradio WOOD 106.9 FM & 1300 AM was honored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) during its 2012 Broadcast Excellence Awards, held Wednesday night in Lansing.

Griffins hockey was named best in the play-by-play sports category for Market 2, which includes radio stations in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw and Tri-Cities. The award is based on the criteria of presentation, production values and interest of stories presented.

For Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting Bob Kaser, this marks the sixth time in the last 12 years that his broadcasts have been recognized by the MAB. Griffins hockey on WOOD also won “best” awards for 2006, 2003, 2002 and 2001, along with a “merit” award for 2004.

During home games at Van Andel Arena, Kaser is alternately joined by color commentators Larry Figurski, news and sports anchor for WOOD-TV 8, and Lou Rabaut, a Grand Rapids attorney and longtime youth hockey coach and advocate.

“We at WOOD Radio are proud of Bob for this accomplishment and proud of our association with the Griffins,” said Tim Feagan, VP market manager, West Michigan for Clear Channel Media + Entertainment. “The quality of the play-by-play broadcast that Bob does for the Griffins is, and has been, one of the best in our industry. We are glad to see him get the recognition that is so well deserved.”

Kaser has become one of most revered and honored broadcasters in hockey during his 34 seasons behind the microphone. Now in his 13th season as the Griffins’ play-by-play voice, he received the American Hockey League’s 2009-10 James H. Ellery Memorial Award for excellence in radio broadcasting, and he is a three-time winner (2006, 2005 and 2002) of Michigan AP’s award for Best Live Sports/Class II Radio.

A Kalamazoo native who grew up in Flint, Kaser has been involved in hockey since 1979, most notably spending 10 seasons (1990-2000) as director of communications and broadcasting for the International Hockey League’s Kansas City Blades. He was twice awarded the Bob Chase Award as IHL Broadcaster of the Year (1997-98 and 1993-94), and his public relations staff earned recognition as the best in the Western Conference on four occasions (1999-00, 1997-98, 1995-96 and 1994-95).