Four Nebraska broadcasters—John Knicely, Kevin Kugler, Steve Lundy, and Ken Siemek—will be inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) Hall of Fame on August 11 in Lincoln.
This prestigious event, part of the NBA Annual Convention, will increase the Hall of Fame membership to 127 members.
John Knicely’s career spanned over five decades, starting as a TV sportscaster before becoming a news anchor for Omaha’s WOWT TV, where he served for 34 years.
He built a reputation for credibility and trust in Nebraska’s highly competitive television market and retired in 2025. John was known for his calm demeanor during crises like tornadoes, terrorist attacks, and the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic.
He focused on impactful stories like public safety and local government accountability. Additionally, his popular segments “John at Work” and “Knicely Done” uplifted local stories, and he earned numerous industry accolades throughout his career.
Beyond broadcasting, John took pride in mentoring young reporters and anchors, teaching them to prioritize storytelling over opinions.
Kevin Kugler boasts the most extensive play-by-play resume of any Nebraskan, with national recognition. Starting his career at KAWL in York, he went on to host “Big Red Wrap Up” and other shows on Nebraska Educational Television.
Kevin’s career spans play-by-play broadcasting for college football, Major League Baseball, and over 100 NFL games since 2020, including calling college basketball for the Big Ten Network since 2012.
As the radio voice of the NCAA Men’s Final Four since 2008 and a commentator on Westwood One Sports Network, Kevin continues to reach new heights in the industry.
Steve Lundy, with nearly 50 years in the radio industry, is a legendary figure in Nebraska. Starting at KHUB in Fremont in 1977, Steve worked at top stations such as KOIL, KEFM, and KQKQ in Omaha, eventually co-hosting “Steve & Gina in the Morning” at KXKT.
His influence on Nebraska’s radio landscape spans various formats, earning him countless honors. Outside of the airwaves, Steve is deeply committed to his community, reading to schoolchildren and supporting at-risk elementary students.
Ken Siemek, a meteorologist with a career spanning 44 years at KOLN (Lincoln) and KGIN TV (Grand Island), retired in 2025 after guiding weather departments through major technological advancements.
From handwritten weather symbols to cutting-edge radar systems, Ken’s work kept Nebraskans safe during life-threatening events, including the 1997 snowstorm, the 2004 Hallam tornado, and the 2019 statewide floods.
His steady presence during storms reassured communities, and his mentoring of younger colleagues reflected his compassionate approach to broadcasting.
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