By Nick Fornicoia
Jason Brandt is the 2012 recipient of The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Publicity Award. The Publicity Award is for someone who selflessly promotes the great sport of wrestling.
Jason Brandt is the Assistant General Manager at KSCR/KBMO Radio, in Benson, and has been the Sports Director and play-by-play voice since 1991.
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg assistant wrestling coach, Steve Ricard, nominated Jason for this award. Steve said: “I have been in High School sports for a long time. For the last 21 years I have been in the Benson/Kerkhoven area. The thing that impresses me most about Jason is his ability to call the plays so technically well. If he doesn’t know what the move is, he asks and he gets better. His knowledge of the sport, he was a basketball player by trade and we don’t hold that against him, is tremendous. He just got better and better.”
Wes Haglund, K-M-S head coach also has high praise for Jason Brandt. Coach Haglund says Jason’s biggest talent is putting the listener in the gym with his colorful commentary. “If you’re listening on the radio he makes it like you are sitting in the stands watching or by the field or whatever it is whatever sport it is he makes it like you are right there watching it.”
Jason says he has always been a fan of sports and wrestling and he works hard to become more knowledgeable about the sports and athletes. “I have always been a fan of wrestling. You just try to learn by immersing yourself in it.”
Mr. Brandt is not in this business for money or fame. He is in this business because he enjoys giving recognition to the athletes and coaches. Steve Ricard wants to make sure Jason gets the recognition he deserves. “I think sometimes we take it for granted, but we as coaches in the area remind our athletes just how lucky we are to have such good play by play.”
Congratulation to Jason Brandt, the 2012 Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Publicity Award recipient.