Missouri Valley Conference Television Network Tom Ackerman Play-by-Play/Sidelines
Services/TV
Tom Ackerman is in his tenth season as a member of The Valley TV Network. Ackerman will handle play-by-play duties plus serve as the sideline reporter for the 2013 MVC Men’s Basketball Championship at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. A 1997 graduate of Indiana University, he is in his 16th year at KMOX Radio (AM 1120) in St. Louis, where he is sports director and the morning sports anchor on “Total Information A.M.” The host of programs like “Sports Open Line” and “Sports on a Sunday Morning,” Ackerman has also handled play-by-play duties for University of Missouri men’s basketball and served as a sideline reporter on Mizzou football broadcasts for KMOX Radio. In addition to his radio responsibilities, Ackerman has also served as a host for St. Louis Cardinals post-game shows on Fox Sports Midwest. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Ackerman and his wife Angie live in St. Louis, and have two daughters Erika (6) and Audrey (2).
Mark Adams, Analyst
A nationally respected college basketball commentator, Mark Adams is in his third season with the MVC TV Network. He will serve as an analyst on regular-season telecasts as well as broadcasts from the 2013 MVC Men’s Basketball Championship in St. Louis. Considered by many to be the “Voice of the Mid-Majors,” Adams appears regularly on nationally televised college basketball games on ESPN and has made numerous appearances in studio. Adams was a college basketball coach for 17 years and 10 of those years at the NCAA Division I level. Known as a program re-builder, he took over three different collegiate basketball programs that were a combined 28-54 (.341) in the season prior to his arrival. In his final season record at those same three schools he led those teams to a combined record of 59-32 (.648). His teams won two championships (1985 and 1989) earning him Coach of the Year honors in 1989 and national recognition. A national motivational speaker, he is the author of numerous books: WHY WE WIN -- Followership and Leadership Strategies for Team Success!, MY ESPN EASONS, REDWOODS -- Spread Your Roots and Coach Your Team to Success!, WINNING IN OVERTIME: Championship Sales Strategies From a Championship Coach! He also has published two children’s stories titled: Bucky’s Best Friend and A Boy Named Bucky. Adams received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Cincinnati in 1979 and earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Idaho State University in 1980. Living in Springboro, Ohio, Adams and his wife Judy have four sons: Luke (28), Patrick (20), Jimmy (20) and Robby (7).
Nick Bahe, Analyst
Nick Bahe joins the MVC TV Network telecast team, serving as an analyst for regular-season men’s basketball telecasts on ESPN3. Bahe co-hosts a radio sports talk show called “The Drive” on 93.7 The Ticket FM in Lincoln, Neb. A member of the Omaha media since graduating with a degree in journalism from Creighton University in 2008, he also is in his fourth season as the analyst for Creighton men’s basketball radio broadcasts and telecasts. As a basketball student-athlete, Bahe played two seasons at the University of Kansas for Bill Self before finishing his career playing for Dana Altman at Creighton University.
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He participated in three NCAA Tournaments and a National Invitation Tournament during his career. A Lincoln native, Bahe currently resides in Omaha, Neb.
Bruce Haertl, Play-by-Play
Bruce Haertl is in his fourth year as a member of the Valley Live talent team as a baseball play-by-play voice and his first as a basketball announcer. Haertl began his television career at KWCH-TV in Wichita, Kan., in October of 1984. He now serves as sports director at KWCH and host of Sports Sunday. A native of Greenfield, Mass., Haertl also hosts Sports Daily on radio station KFH in Wichita with Bob Lutz, Wichita Eagle sports columnist. A former Shocker baseball player, he is in his eighth year as the lead on-air personality on the pregame show for the Kansas State University football radio network. Haertl also handles play-by-play duties for Wichita State University basketball and baseball television packages on Cox Media. Haertl and his wife Sarah have four children: Bo (25), Evie (23), Jake (13) and Kate (10).
Mitch Holthus, Play-by-Play
Entering his 18th season as one of the league’s play-by-play voices is Mitch Holthus. He served as The Valley’s lead television play-by-play man for 13 seasons. In 2007, Holthus was named the third recipient of the league’s John Sanders Spirit of the Valley Award -- given to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late MVC staffer and demonstrates passion for the Conference, strong work ethic and sense of humor. A native of Smith Center, Kan., Holthus is in his 19th season as the radio play-by-play voice of the Kansas City Chiefs -- the longest tenured play-by-play announcer in KC history -- on their 80-station network. A 27-year broadcast veteran, he was the play-by-play voice of the Kansas State Wildcats for 12 seasons. He served as television host of the Kansas State football and basketball coaches shows from 1985 to 1996. He also toiled as play-by-play announcer at WIBW Radio, flagship station of the Kansas City Royals, from 1983 to 1996. He has earned the distinction of being the Kansas Sportcaster of the Year eight times -- 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2001 -- from the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters, and has been voted the Metro Sportscaster of the Year by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters nine times. Holthus was inducted into the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in October 2008 and was tabbed the Kansas City Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. This summer he was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) at the 36th Annual Mid-America Emmy® Awards in Kansas City, Mo. A 1979 Kansas State grad, he and his wife, Tami, a former college basketball player at KSU, have a son Brian (30) and a daughter Hayley (27), who both played basketball and graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan.
Kevin Lehman, Analyst
Lehman is in his second season as member of the MVC Television Network talent team as a regular-season basketball analyst. A native of Iowa City, Iowa, Lehman has done analyst work for KFXA-TV and Mediacom Connections Channel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, KXIC Radio in Iowa City and, from 2006-2011, served as an analyst on the Iowa State Cyclone TV Network and Mediacom Connections Channel.