Broadcast History

Bob Kurtz enjoyed a long and prestigious career as a TV sportscaster before concentrating all efforts into serving others.

     Bob as WBBH-TV (CBS) Chicago 1968-72

He has received many "Sportscaster of the Year" awards as well as Emmy and ACE nominations for his talent and insight. After receiving his college degree from Yankton College (SD), he earned a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from Drake University and studied for his doctorate in Radio-TV-Film at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

His broadcasting career began in 1968 at WBBM-TV (CBS) in Chicago as the host of the Public Affairs TV talk show, "Wonderful World." He earned his first EMMY nomination for hosting a black history series, "Lift Every Voice" while working at WBBM-TV. During this time he also worked briefly at the CBS-TV affiliate in Rockford, Illinois as a weekend sportscaster.

     Pat Boone and Bob on TV Series "Different Drummers"

Moving to Dallas, Texas in 1972, he was a sportscaster at KRNT-TV (CBS) and also on the highly popular KVIL radio. Then he moved on to Denver in 1975, he became one of the most popular personalities in the Rocky Mountain west. Channel 9 (KUSA-TV) quickly rose to the highest-rated local TV news operation in the nation. Bob also did some play-by-play for the Denver Broncos and is credited for the nicknaming the defense, "The Orange Crush." In addition, he served for four years as part of the radio broadcast team for the Air Force Academy football team.

After a brief stint in Minneapolis (WTCN-TV), Bob made broadcasting history in June, 1980 as the first person, along with Nick Charles, to be on-air for CNN. Part of the original news anchor team, Bob was an important part of the beginning of America's first twenty-four hour news network.

During his twenty-year sports casting career Bob spent as much time as possible covering golf and the PGA Tour. He has covered the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA championships and is a lifetime media member of the PGA Tour. Bob especially enjoyed working with his friend Frank Chirkinian as part of the CBS Golf telecast as well as hosting the National Long Drive Competition on ESPN in 1987.