Media of the Year - 2004

MATT WALTERS
KMAN Radio

Matt Walters has worked as Program Director for Manhattan’s KMAN Radio for four years. He has made sure the sport of wrestling has fit into the KMAN coverage content by airing interviews with Coach Lee Woodford to air during Manhattan HS basketball games, or previewing upcoming competitions on Friday and Saturday morning sportscasts, and by providing post-season coverage for the Indians. Walters and KMAN have also provided off-season wrestling coverage and try to also follow former Manhattan wrestlers at the collegiate level as well.

When KMAN provided post-season coverage six years ago, it was the first time Manhattan High School had received “live” coverage. They cover regional championship matches as well as state semi-finals and finals matches involving Manhattan wrestlers.

“In essence, KMAN tries to give high school wrestling as much coverage as possible,” said Walters, who received a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Kansas State in 1990.

“After getting to know Coach Woodford, I realized just how much effort he put into the sport, so I figured that’s what we should do at KMAN,” Walters said. “Manhattan has always been a premiere program in the state and it needed/deserved to be covered in that manner. Coach Woodford has always been accommodating so KMAN has done what it can over the years to return the favor. Even though I never wrestled, I had many friends who did when I was growing up. I’ve always liked the sport and I felt it needed to be covered at a higher level in our area. High school athletics is at the core of what we do at KMAN…and Manhattan High wrestling is a big part of our coverage.”