Norm Hilson - Inducted 2006

The sports director at WNAX-AM in Yankton from 1956 until his death in 1990, Hilson was the voice of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits for most of his career. He also did countless broadcasts of high school sporting events and even briefly did play-by-play of University of South Dakota games.

Five times he was named South Dakota Sportscaster of the Year, including the first person to win the coaches' version of the award. He was the first sportscaster elected to the North Central Conference Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the SDSU, South Dakota Broadcasters and South Dakota High School Basketball Coaches halls of fame.

A 1946 Knox (N.D.) High and 1953 Brown Institute of Broadcasting grad, Hilson worked briefly in radio at Fergus Falls, Minn., and Fairmont, Minn., before joining WNAX. In addition to his play-by-play duties, he also did several daily sports shows, popularly known as "Hilson on Sports." Despite offers from bigger markets, Norm loved South Dakota and South Dakota sports and always decided to stay.