ESPN Radio 1410 to Become the Voice of Husker Nation in North Platte

Lincoln, Neb. – Hail Varsity owner Aaron Babcock announced Monday that North Platte’s KOOQ 1410 AM has signed an agreement to become the newest affiliate to carry the popular daily sports talk show.

KOOQ will begin carrying the Hail Varsity radio show Tuesday, February 18, becoming the third station to carry the show. The show, which originates from KLMS 1480 AM in Lincoln, can also be heard on KJSK 900 AM in Columbus.

The show is hosted by Chris Schmidt and David Gustafson and airs weekdays 4-6 p.m. It can also be heard on Saturdays in Omaha (KOZN 1620 AM) and Lincoln (KLMS 1480 AM). The Saturday program is hosted by Schmidt and Mark Kraynak.

“We are excited to introduce listeners in the North Platte area to the Hail Varsity Radio Show,” Babcock said. “Chris Schmidt and David Gustafson bring an incredible work ethic and commitment to the program. They continually line up entertaining guests from around the country.”

Some of the regularly scheduled guests include former Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride, former Husker and NFL veteran Ralph Brown, former Husker assistant football coach Jack Pierce and Gerry DiNardo of the Big Ten Network.

KOOQ Sports Director Robert Lovell said the show helps the station increase its local coverage.

“I have been looking for ways to make our programming more local or regional and Hail Varsity Radio is the perfect way to do that,” Lovell said. “It might be considered regional, but when you’re talking Husker sports in Nebraska that’s as local as it gets. In my opinion, the North Platte area will be getting an entertaining show with a knowledgeable host and unmatched Husker insight.”

KOOQ is a 5,000 watt station and has been an ESPN affiliate since 2007. The station is a part of a three-station cluster that includes KELN-FM Mix 97.1 and KNPQ-FM Q Country 107.3 and is owned by Eagle Radio.

Hail Varsity launched in 2012 and is the only Nebraska-owned Husker magazine and publishes 16 issues per year, including its annual football yearbook. For more information, visit HailVarsity.com.