Bison Radio Network Announces Temporary Broadcast Team Changes, Expands Coverage Area

Former National Football League standout and Bison Athletic Hall of Famer Phil Hansen will temporarily put aside his color analyst duties with the Bison Radio Network this fall to focus on his run for the District 4 Senate seat in Minnesota.

Hansen, who joined the broadcast team in 2004, will be replaced in the booth by former North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker. The announcement was made today by NDSU Director of Athletics Gene Taylor.

“We will miss Phil (Hansen) in the booth while he is focusing on his political campaign. We wish him the best and look forward to when he will return,” said Taylor.

“We are very excited to have Steve (Walker) step in for Phil and really look forward to his insight and analysis. Steve has a great deal of passion and energy for our program, and I know that will show up in his color commentary.”

Hansen said, “The time commitment required in my run for the state senate demands my full attention and I didn’t feel I could juggle both football and a rigorous campaign schedule. I will be eager to get back in the booth when the time is right. In the meantime, I will intently watch the progress of the Bison as the season unfolds.”

A two-time Great West Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Walker is NDSU’s all-time passing leader with 7,033 yards and 60 touchdowns from 2004-07. He had a 30-6 record as a starter including back-to-back 10-1 seasons in 2006 and 2007. That record included the 2006 conference championship, and wins over Ball State, Minnesota and Central Michigan.

Veteran announcer Scott Miller returns for his 15th year as the play-by-play voice of the Bison and 17th year overall, while NDSU Director of Broadcasting Jeremy Jorgenson will report from the sidelines.

For the third straight year, the Mighty 790 AM of Fargo serves as the flagship station of the Bison Radio Network. Jorgenson announced eight new affiliates will join the Bison Radio Network this fall including an affiliate switch in Minneapolis. The network affiliate list grows from 11 to 20 stations for the 2012 season.

The new affiliates include Grafton’s KAUJ 100.9 FM and Dickinson’s KLTC 1460 AM in North Dakota; and Minneapolis/St. Paul’s WLKX 95.9 FM (North) and KBGY 107.5 FM (South), Albany’s KDDG 105.5 FM, Fergus Falls’ KZCR 103.3 FM, Glenwood’s KMGK 107.1 FM and Fosston’s KKCQ 96.7 FM in Minnesota.

In addition, KRWK 101.9 FM of Fargo will simulcast the games for expanded coverage in the immediate area at night.

“The expanded coverage in the Twin Cities, along with the overall market growth in Minnesota says a lot about our momentum, to nearly double the size of the network in one calendar year is remarkable,” said Jorgenson.

The Bison Radio Network game day coverage starts 30 minutes prior to kickoff and concludes 30 minutes after each game. NDSU’s “Bison Feedback” with head coach Craig Bohl and Miller returns each Monday night from 6-7 p.m. during the football season on KFGO 790 AM and select affiliate stations. 

Bison Football Radio Network

20 stations – 17 markets

North Dakota Station list

Fargo – KFGO – 790 AM (simulcast on KRWK 101.9 FM)

Bismarck – KFYR – 550 AM or ESPN – 710 AM

Minot – KHRT – 1320 AM

Jamestown – KSJB – 600 AM

Williston – KEYZ – 660 AM

Devils Lake – KDVL – 102.5 FM

Harvey – KHND – 1470 AM

Rugby – KZZJ – 1450 AM

Bowman – KPOK – 1340 AM

Grafton – KAUJ – 100.9 FM

Dickinson – KLTC – 1460 AM

Minnesota Station list

Detroit Lakes – KRCQ – 102.3 FM

Minneapolis/St. Paul – WLKX 95.9 FM (North) / KBGY 107.5 FM (South)

Albany – KDDG 105.5 FM

Fergus Falls – KZCR – 103.3 FM

Glenwood - KMGK – 107.1 FM

Fosston – KKCQ – 96.7 FM