There’s a running joke about how long the Purdue Calumet Sports Insight radio show has been on the airwaves.
“(WJOB’s) JED (Jim Dedelow) always jokes with me about how we have the longest running radio show in America,” said Wes Lukoshus, longtime host and Purdue Calumet Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications. “…but I joke that I think the Grand Ole Opry has me beat by a few decades.”
While the country music staple might have the title, Lukoshus’ weekly Friday show has its own place in history: it will celebrate its 30th Anniversary this Friday, Oct. 30, with a special hour-long, live broadcast beginning at 5 p.m. CT. on WJOB’s 1230AM station.
The show, which has moved to a pre-recorded format over the years, will be costed by JED in the Region and feature guests Rick Costello, Purdue Calumet Director of Athletics, former AD and current consultant John Friend, as well as John Bobalik, Purdue Calumet’s Fitness Center Director. Chancellor Thomas L. Keon will also be featured via a pre-recorded interview.
The Purdue Calumet Sports Insight show is a 30-minute program that runs every Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Amazingly, it’s held that slot since its first broadcast in the fall of 1985, when Lukoshus and Friend used to co-host it live.
“I had just come on board here and the university was looking for opportunities to to expand and enhance our message more strongly in the community,” said Lukoshus, who began his career at Purdue Calumet as the Director of Media Services and Public Information in the summer of ’85.
“...We kind of billed it as a unique and candid analysis of the sports and educational scene.”
For the first 20 years or so, Friend and Lukoshus interviewed Purdue Calumet head coaches, community sports figures, and even Purdue-West Lafayette athletic coaches when the show first started as a live broadcast. After a while, it became easier to pre-record, and as the Purdue Calumet athletic program grew to its current size of 12 varsity teams, the show has featured all 12 head coaches of the Peregrines.
The show’s impact has been felt, though Lukoshus admitted he didn’t know how much until many in the community have showed their appreciation.
“I didn’t realize that there had been a rather substantial impact and I only know that now because it’s been amazing how many times people have approached me in the community about different interviews and different people we’ve had on the show,” he said. “I know there’s some people out there listening.”
Consistency over the course of 1,500-plus broadcasts has helped, too.
“To be on the same time slot for 30 years, people are comfortable knowing that we’re going to be there from 5:30-6,” Lukoshus added. “In that sense, we’ve done what we wanted to do and that was increase awareness about Purdue Calumet in the community. “