Pete Knutson tabbed as next Express radio broadcaster
Local Clear Channel broadcaster becomes team’s fifth announcer
Eau Claire, Wis. – February 10, 2014 – The Express front office today announced the hiring of Pete Knutson as the fifth radio broadcaster in team history. Knutson replaces Doug Raftery, who departed from the Express in November of 2013 after serving as Play-by-Play Announcer in 2012 and Director of Broadcasting and Media Sales in 2013. Knutson enters his first season in the Northwoods League but has a variety of broadcast experience to bring to the Express.
“As a new Eau Claire resident and local sports broadcaster, I am both excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the voice of the Express this summer,” Knutson stated. “I look forward to getting to know more people in this very vibrant and welcoming community. I hope to help make the 10th Anniversary Season of the Express a memorable one.”
Knutson’s experience before relocating to Eau Claire includes time working at the University of Kansas and also at KJHK 90.7 FM. While at KU, he broadcast baseball, softball, soccer and Track & Field. At KJHK, Knutson broadcast KU baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and football along with hosting a weekly sports radio show. Since October, he has been broadcasting local high school, college football and college basketball games at Clear Channel in Eau Claire.
“We are very fortunate to be able to add someone with Pete’s experience to our organization,” Express General Manager Andy Neborak said. “We pride ourselves on having a professional and informative broadcast and Pete’s track record makes him the perfect fit to ensure that standard continues to be met.”
In addition to broadcasting all 72 Express games in 2014, Knutson will likely contribute in sponsorship sales in the spring and media relations in the summer months.
The Saginaw, Mich. native attended Saginaw Valley State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. From there, he proceeded to Central Michigan University where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts. He follows Greg Pangallo, Scott Montesano, Rob Silvers and Doug Raftery to become the fifth broadcaster as Eau Claire enters its tenth year of play in the Northwoods League.
The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.