Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR) - "I was at a loss for words when I got the call," a humble Howard Simon said on Wednesday while present on the Buffalo State University campus as the 2024 Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame class was introduced.
Simon, the longtime morning host on WGR Sports Radio 550, is no stranger to the campus, and is a graduate of the communications program at the school.
Simon is part of a class of inductees that includes television producer/writer/actor Nick Bakay, nationally syndicated talk show host Stephanie Miller, former WGR-TV news anchor/reporter Sheila Murphy, former WKBW-TV reporter Mary Travers Murphy, 97 Rock morning radio team Shredd & Ragan, WGRZ-TV videographer J. “Dooley” O’Rourke, former Director of National Sales for Buffalo/Toronto Public Media Jim DiMino.
"To be with some of the people that I respect and admire greatly in this business, people that I learned from, and now to be in that same group, it's unbelievable," Simon said.
Simon is also no stranger to WBEN, as he hosted the evening 'One on One Sports' program, taking over after John Murphy left the post for a television position at WKBW.
TV came calling and Simon went on to the Empire Sports Network and all sports WNSA radio before taking over the morning show on WGR, a position he retired from in 2023.
Howard remains a contributor on WGR, and also appears on WBEN occasionally, in addition to fill-in hosting for the Buffalo Sabres and numerous local colleges and universities.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19 at Samuels Grande Manor, located at 8750 Main Street in Williamsville.
Tickets can be purchased at https://buffalobroadcasters.com .
Here is a brief biography for each inductee:
Nick Bakay is a proud Buffalonian. He has done almost everything
on network television. He became widely known as a sports commentator
on ESPN. He’s guest-starred many of TV’s biggest shows ranging from
Seinfeld to Murphy Brown to That 70s Show. He’s also produced and/or
written many major series including: King of Queens, Two And A Half
Men, Mom, Komisky Method, Young Sheldon and Bookie.
Stephanie Miller is host of the nationally syndicated Stephanie Miller
Show. Her first radio experience involved doing comedy bits on Sandy
Beach’s morning show. She then took an on-air job at WLVL in her native
Lockport, where she quickly moved from evenings to afternoon drive to
mornings. Stephanie later moved to Rochester to be part of the morning
show at WCMF, before moving on to major markets including Chicago and
New York City. She began her talk radio career at KFI in Los Angeles, then
hosted afternoons at KTZN and evenings at KABC Radio. She started
the Stephanie Miller's Happy Hour podcast. Stephanie also is a stand-up
comedienne, has had TV acting roles and she is a best-selling author.
Sheila Murphy holds the distinction of being the first female TV news anchor, sharing the NewsCenter 2 set with Rich Kellman for several years. Sheila began her career as a hard-hitting, radio news reporter and anchor. She began her career at WYSL and by 1972 was working as a news reporter and anchor at WGR Radio. She then moved to the co-owned WGR-TV. In 1980,
Sheila was the first woman to be elected as an At-Large member of the Buffalo Common Council. She later was named Assistant Secretary of State for the Western New York Region. Sheila returned to radio later in her career at WBEN.
Mary Travers Murphy is best-known for her work on WKBW-TV as a reporter, anchor, and consumer advocate for the station’s Action 7 franchise from 1985-2005. Since 2010, Mary has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Erie County Family Justice Center, a position from which she retired in 2023. Mary is married to Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Member, John Murphy, the longtime Buffalo Bills Radio Network broadcaster.
Howard Simon was already active in broadcasting while attending Buff State, working at his college station, WBNY, most notably working in sports. After graduation, he worked in Elmira and Toledo, before returning to the Buffalo area. Howard worked at WJJL, WBEN and the Empire Sports Network and moved to WNSA when it became an all-sports station. Howard joined WGR in 2004, where he remained until retiring in 2023. During his career, he covered four straight Super Bowl appearances for the Bills, the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals, all four of the big four schools in NCAA tournaments, the Bandits winning titles, the Bisons winning a title.
Shredd & Ragan The show, hosted by Ted “Shredd” Kasten and Tom Ragan has been a mainstay in Buffalo for 30 years, achieving consistent ratings success. Ted and Tom worked in Buffalo Radio for several years prior to becoming a duo. Starting at the 1994 launch at WEDG-FM(103.3 The Edge), the built a show based on humor, characters, and current events. Ted and Tom also became famous for stunting and creating events for their listeners and the community. In addition to national recognition, the show as consistently been the winner of Artvoice’s Best Radio Show in Buffalo award. In 2021, the team was moved to sister station WGRF-FM (97 Rock), where
they continue to enjoy ratings success.
J. “Dooley” O’Rourke began as an intern at WGRZ-TV. The station soon became his career home. In 1984, Dooley worked on NewsCenter 2 Overnight, giving him the opportunity to begin shooting news. Later in his career, he evolved into a complete storyteller as both the reporter and videographer becoming a multi-media journalist, long before it was standard practice. He retired in early 2024, as an award-winning photojournalist. Dooley on many awards from the NYS Associated Press Association, New York State Emmys, RTDNA, Edward R. Murrow Award, National Association of Black Journalists and National Press Photographers Association.
Jim DiMino recently wrapped up 26 years with Buffalo/Toronto Public Media where he served in a number of roles including Director of National Sales, Sales Manager, and Corporate Sales. Jim started his broadcasting career as an account executive at WYSL/WPhD in 1977, and moved to WGR-AM and WGR-TV where he was a local sales manager. He later became
VP/General Manager at WBUF-FM, before heading to Syracuse as VP/General Manager and General Sales Manager at WXRA-AM/WEZG-FM. Jim then returned home to Buffalo as Local Sales Manager at WUTV/WNYB. He also served in sales management capacities for the Buffalo Sabres and Empire Sports. Jim’s career has reached into six decades, a career in which he is still
engaged as President of JD Media Consultants.
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