My path to the anchor desk

My work ID 20 years ago

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Earlier this week I realized today (June 25) marks my 20 year anniversary in the news business. I had graduated college six months earlier and was working as an assistant manager at Chuck E. Cheese Pizza in Cape Girardeau. I finally decided it was time to get serious about my career search so I moved back to St. Louis. I had a freelance writing gig for a local newspaper and was substitute teaching until summer break started. 

Then I started working for a division of McDonnell Douglas changing out hardware on employee computers. It was the furthest thing in the world I wanted to do, but with a wedding one year away and no other source of income I happily showed up to work each day.

One night I saw an opening in the paper (the internet was still pretty new) for a Broadcast Assistant at KMOV. Basically it was a person who separated scripts for the anchors, producer and director and ran the Teleprompter during the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. I knew I was not going to land a reporting job in a top 25 market right out of school so at least getting my foot in the door could help me start networking with other journalists. I applied and got a call a short time later that the job had been filled. It was a 13 week position and I'd be added to the list of interested candidates for the next cycle. 

I was getting ready to leave to cover a city council meeting for the paper when my phone rang. On the other end was Aleta Harris, the executive producer at KMOV. She informed me the person they hired didn't show up and if I wanted the job it was mine. I eagerly accepted and was told I'd start the next day.

Julius Hunter & Larry Conners

That day was the first time I'd ever been inside a newsroom. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 3 p.m. and there was a hustle and bustle going on with reporters, producers and photographers moving around the room. Copies of scripts were being printed. Writers were typing away feverishly at their desks. Anchors asked questions about content and what the plan was for the night.

Margie Ellisor
Courtesy: Fox 2 News

I was in awe. I soaked it in while trying not to be a fan boy. I had grown up in St. Louis and seeing the likes of Julius Hunter and Larry Conners in person was a nerdy news fan's grew come true. I also had a chance that evening to meet Margie Ellisor, someone who would become a mentor to me once I transitioned into a permanent job at KMOV. My 13 weeks ended and I was hired on as a production assistant. 

A tough assignment as KMOV
Arm wrestling the Honky Tonk Man

I worked any and all shifts, but primarily was on the morning show, where I bonded with Margie and her co anchor Marc Cox and reporter Kathryn Jamboretz. The three offered me so much advice and encouragement during my year long stint that I'll be forever grateful. They'd take me out on stories with them, help me shoot stand ups and do whatever it took to prepare my own resume tape. Margie also took me out for my first wrestler meeting with the Honky Tonk Man (another fanboy moment).

20 years later with the News 3 This Morning on air team

Fast forward to today and I would have never in a million years imagined I'd still be in the business and anchoring the morning news. I started here at WSIL in 2004 and have been given some amazing opportunities. I can only sum up the last 20 years with one word: grateful. Thanks to all who have influenced and been a part of this journey.

You're Fired

WOWL in February 1999

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's hard to believe that 15 years have passed since I lost my first on-air job.  I was working at WOWL-TV in Florence, Alabama and had been there for about 18 months when the station's co-owner and acting general manager, Bruce Lumpkin, was killed in a car accident.  We all knew that the station would eventually be switching from an NBC affiliate to UPN, thus ending the local newscast.  Bruce had asked us all to stay on board until the transition, which was scheduled for September 1999, and he'd keep those of us who couldn't find reporting jobs elsewhere on staff as sales and production members.

Bruce's accident happened in May.  That's when Bruce's business partner, who was in Atlanta, informed all of us that the promises made by Bruce went to heaven with him the day he died. That statement was made on a Thursday evening in late June. Friday morning there were memos in all the news employees mailboxes that there was a mandatory meeting at 11 a.m. Monday.

Hanging out in the newsroom

At that point, I was not only running the newsroom, but I was also producing, reporting, and anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast.  So I showed up Monday morning, knowing in my heart that we were all about to be fired, but went ahead and started setting up the stories for the day.  Zero hour finally arrived, and we headed to the conference room.  

The owner sat there and talked to us about all the changes that were coming to the station.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he said "Friday was your last show."  (We didn't have weekend or morning newscasts).  I think he wanted us to all start crying and carrying on at him, but we all sat silently. He finally looked at me and said, "Kevin, please say something."  My response, "I have nothing to say.  I have a wife who is four months pregnant.  I need to find a job now."  

He promised us all two weeks severance and any vacation pay that was owed to us.  So we all headed back to the newsroom and started packing our personal belonging as the HR supervisor wrote out our checks.  One of my coworkers noted that the check was just one week's pay.  So we all waited patiently as new checks were cut.

After leaving our now former employer, we all decided a drink or two was in order. So the entire news crew sat at one of the local establishments in town, drinking, laughing, and reminiscing.  It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon.  I can only imagine what the other patrons were thinking as everyone they usually saw on the news was getting lit up like a Christmas tree hours before the news was to start.  As Tom Brokaw signed off the NBC Nightly News and said stay tuned for the local news, the station rolled an infomerical. 

Some WOWL alum from way back when

Even though I wasn't fired for being a bad employee, my departure from WOWL still hurt.  I learned to stay positive and persistent, as I spent the next six weeks looking for work.  My wife, who as I mentioned was pregnant, was working at the time and had insurance.  She'd come home everyday for lunch and dinner was always on the table when she got home.  I'd watch Mama's Family reruns as I searched the web for jobs.  I was becoming quite the house husband, but then in mid-August I got an offer from WLFI in West Lafayette, Indiana.  

I still look back fondly on my days at the Owl and miss the friends I made while I was there.  It's been nearly 15 years since we lived there, and we've never been back.  I'd love to return one day and show the kids the area that helped mold me into the journalist I've become.  

10 Years Later

10 Years go by fast

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

January 19, 2004 I started a new journey in my career.  After spending nearly four and a half years in West Lafayette, Indiana at WLFI, it was time to move on to something new.  I grew up near St. Louis and went to school at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, so moving to the region had always been a goal of mine.  I had talked with past news directors at all three TV stations in the market on more than one occasion.  

Finally, in October 2003 I had a chance to interview with the news director at WSIL, Mike Snuffer.  There was no formal interview set up, I just called and said I'd be in the area and wanted a few minutes to meet with him.  I had a couple of co-worker friends from WLFI working at WSIL at the time, so they kept me in the loop.  I thought the interview went well, but about a month later Mike emailed me and told me he'd hired someone else for the position.  He encouraged me to stay in touch, as he anticipated more openings after the first of the year.  

Then in early December, Mike emailed me again, telling me the woman he offered the job to accepted an offer elsewhere.  He wanted to see an updated tape, which I sent it to him immediately.  On December 26, 2003, he called me to offer me the job (general assignment reporter).  

Covering a big fire in Carterville

When I joined the team, I had no idea what life would be like for me here at WSIL.  I was given the opportunity to fill in on the anchor desk, and by August 2004, the news gods were on my side and I was asked to become the co anchor of News 3 This Morning.  

I've had so many amazing co workers and friends here.  In my nearly ten years on the morning show, I've had six different "permanent" co anchors and countless fill-in anchors.  There have been four weather people, nine producers, five directors, three graphics operators, and 33 associate producers.  I promise they haven't all left because of me.  

Besides have great co workers and friends, I've met some of the most inspirational people while sharing their stories with the public.  Some of the moments that stick out in my memory include meeting Sean and Natalie DeMello.  Their young son Evan was in need of a heart.  The four year old finally got the organ transplant, but sadly died from complications of the surgery.  I remember talking with his parents before the operation and after, and their optimism and upbeat attitude, even after losing their son made an impression on me.  

I met the DeMellos because at the time I was also the health reporter at WSIL.  That position allowed me to meet many people with a variety of medical conditions.  Some of those people are no longer with us, but their stories were important to tell and may have saved other lives in the process.  Bobbi West, Cheryl Collins, and Deanna Heal are just a few of those who have passed away.  I appreciate their families staying in touch and allowing me to share their stories with the region.

Wyatt Eisenhauser
An American Hero

In 2005, I interviewed the family of Wyatt Eisenhauer, shortly after the Perry County native was killed in Iraq while serving our country.  His family's strength that afternoon as they recalled their hero was truly inspiring.  I've stayed in touch with them, as they continue to honor and pay tribute to others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The Eisenhauers remind us all that freedom isn't free.

Tasering

There are have been plenty of fun moments too over the last decade.  I've interviewed "Happy Days" star Marion Ross, "The Incredible Hulk" Lou Ferrigno, and more professional wrestlers than you can shake a stick at.  

My job also led me to getting into the ring and having a match.  I've whacked a grown man with a metal folding chair live on the air.  I've been the sparring partner for an MMA fighter, and I've been zapped with a taser.  People still ask me about the tasering incident, and honestly, it hurt in a way I can't really describe other than to say it was shocking.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg.  I could go on forever here, but people would get bored.  I know I'm forgetting people and stories too, and if that I'm sorry if I left you out.  Thank you all who have watched and supported the last decade here.  Words can't express what it means to me and my family.