Mark Ovenden - Inducted 2023

Mark Ovenden is a Boston native and graduated from Dover Sherborn High School. He attended the University of Richmond (VA), where he was the sports editor of the Collegian. But his gift of gab led to a career in broadcasting. He started his TV career as WTVR's first-weekend sports anchor during his senior year in college. He eventually made it to Sioux Falls and KSFY TV, where his first broadcast was on September 11, 1978. He broadcast boys' and girls' state basketball tournaments and was the radio voice of the Augustana Vikings. He eventually announced USD football. In 1987 he started an advertising agency (Ovenden-Wheeler) and continued his TV career at KELO.

Ovenden moved to KDLT in 1996 as sports director and remained in that capacity for 24 years. He has covered numerous NCAA tournaments and national championships for local colleges in various sports. In 2010, Ovenden and Mike Henriksen launched “Calling All Sports,” a daily radio show that features local, regional, and national guests.

With 45 years in the state, Ovenden has become the most recognizable face of sports in South Dakota. He has hosted more TV sportscasts in the state than anyone in history. Also, his love of golf has made him well-known in that sport nationwide. Ovenden, who considers himself a storyteller, has enjoyed keeping track of South Dakotans who have made it big on the national stage.

Ovenden has won numerous awards for sportscasting over the years at all three stations. He also received the Tom Brokaw Award for excellence in broadcasting.