John Minko, Butler University graduate and former WCVL/WIMC announcer, is returning to Crawfordsville today to do play-by-play for the North Montgomery vs Greencastle game on 103.9 WIMC.
Minko, a New Jersey native, graduated from Butler in 1975, worked at WART in Plainfield for a while and then at WIBC in Indianapolis. He drove to the Montgomery County area on Friday nights to announce games in 1985.
Minko was then hired to work at America’s first all sports radio station (WFAN in New York City) and worked there for 32 years. Over the years, he gained a great reputation in New York through his hard work and dedication. He never had an agent and credits all his success to Gary Havens (WCVL Program Director in 1985) and Rick Cummings who helped him make it to New York City.
Minko is also the play-by-play announcer for St. John’s University Basketball, following the Red Storm to a Big East conference and tournament championship, along with a trip to the NCAA tournament, this past March. He also covered basketball for the Brooklyn Nets, in addition to covering the Indiana Pacers while he lived in Indy.
Minko is returning to Indiana today to announce the North football game to have a night to relive the past. He got his start in play-by-play announcing right here in Indiana so this holds a special place in his successes. Minko said “doing the games are not about me” when asked his thoughts about announcing a game at North Montgomery High School and Madison Square Garden in the same calendar year. He is excited to come back and do play-by-play at a football game for the first time in 16 years. He will be returning to announce alongside Jeff Nelson, who did stats and color for Minko back in ‘85.
Dave Peach, station manager at WIMC, followed Minko doing Bulldog sports while in school, worked with him at WIBC in the mid 80’s and has maintained contact with Minko through his work as public address announcer for Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. He made arrangements for Minko’s return to Crawfordsville.
Tune into WIMC today to hear the return of Minko and share his experience of reliving his younger years and taking a quick flashback at some of the places where he got his start in broadcasting.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. with coverage starting on WIMC at 6:40 p.m.
