Bluffton shock jocks create buzz
By Natalie Nikitas
What happens when two college sport fanatics get together with access to a sound board and division three athletes? The Beaver Buzz is born.
Those sport crazy college fans are sophomore Evan Skilliter (BHS grad) and freshman Mitch Gatzke, both of whom are involved in the communication major at Bluffton University.
Together with their love of sports, the idea of a radio show dedicated solely to broadcasts concerning all forms of athletics seemed perfect for the pair. "The Beaver Buzz is the first of its kind here at Bluffton," Skilliter said. "It's a show focused just on Bluffton athletics from the perspective of players, fans, and students".
Recently, the show's focus has been directed towards the more obscure sports on campus, choosing the tennis and track teams for its maiden broadcasts. This decision proved interesting for the two shock jocks.
"The track and tennis people are very appreciative of us getting their respective sports attention and recognition," Gatske said. "However, it was really different covering a sport I wasn't familiar with and I got to have a pretty interesting learning experience with all the different terms and lingo of the two sports."
Along with gaining new insight to different sports, the two are drawn to what the radio show has done for the community of Bluffton. "It's cool to walk around campus and have people come up who listen to the shows talk to you and even request stuff," Gatske said. "The students have been really receptive and I feel like when we come back next year, we'll be able to do even more stuff and get people more interested."
The pair has also taken on another endeavor, broadcasting their own individual opinions concerning national sport teams weekly. The Weekly Roundup, a show dedicated to updating listeners on the world of sports, is another show created by Skilliter and Gatske.
"We just want to keep people updated on any relevant national story that has to do with sports," Skilliter said. "We want to keep the two shows going for however long we can because it's something we feel that's good for Bluffton and the community."
The Beaver Buzz airs Wednesday s at 10 p.m., followed by re-airings on Friday at noon and Saturday at 11 a.m.. The Weekly Roundup airs on Friday and Saturday immediately following the Beaver Buzz at 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Note: Bluffton Connection is linked to The Icon. You will find the link just below this column. Click on "Continue reading at Bluffton Connetion." Once it opens click on "streaming on WBWH" on the top of the home page.
Natalie Nikitas is a 2014 Adolescent Young Adult History Major and Communication Minor from Jeffersonville, Ind., and a student in the Broadcasting and Journalism program at Bluffton University.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Pirate football downs Patriots in Region 22 final
- Owen D. Ziessler worked for Accubuilt
- Weekend Doctor: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Agenda for Bluffton Council on November 25
- Super Cute Dresses ships 10,000 packages via Bluffton Post Office in 2024
- Volunteer opportunities at Bluffton Hospital
- Invitation to provide monthly display at Bluffton library
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information