WDAZ says Goodbye to Phil Neumann

Over the years, you contact with and meet great, professional people. Some of these people leave a lasting impression on you. Over time, some of these people end up being your acquaintances and or friends. Behind the scenes, these are hard working, solid people. I would put Phil Neumann as one of those solid, professional people.

While Neumann came to Grand Forks as a young television reporter, you could tell that he was very gifted and energetic. Some television people have a knack, and it appeared to me Neumann had all the tools to be very successful. I figured his stay at WDAZ would be pretty short. He quickly made his way to sports anchor after Pat Sweeny took a job at UND. It will be interesting to see who steps up and fills that role. Sports reporter Maddie Saddler is new, but also very good.

This past year, I really liked the coverage Phil did for WDAZ at the Frozen Four and the Cincinnati Regional. The reports from the two events were very well done. Also, a really nice touch was the post game video Brad Schlossman and Neumann did after UND won the Frozen Four. I going to miss that.

This past weekend, Neuman announced that he'd taken a job in New York, his home state. I like many others are saddened today that Phil will no longer be part of the hometown team.

Again, we were very lucky to have Neumann here in Grand Forks.  I wish him good luck in the next step.

It's been an incredible 2 years, but today will be my final day anchoring the sports at WDAZ. Thank you RR Valley! pic.twitter.com/PIwKbfJINH

— Phil Neumann (@Phil_Neumann) May 13, 2016

The last two years have been more than I ever could've asked for or expected. Thank you @WDAZsports and its viewers! pic.twitter.com/XEiU8gVQwD

— Phil Neumann (@Phil_Neumann) May 14, 2016

WDAZ to Broadcast Fighting Sioux Hockey Game With RPI

Nice to see that the Sioux hockey game is going to be picked up by ABC, if there are any changes I will post them to the blog. Nice to see the game on TV and not on ESPN3.COM which is unavailable in Grand Forks, ND on Midco Communications.

Grand Forks, ND --- WDAZ and all North Dakota ABC network stations will televise the UND men's hockey game against RPI, Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the NCAA Midwest Regional in Green Bay.

The North Dakota ABC network includes:

WDAY-TV Channel 6.1 in Fargo.
WDAZ-TV, Channel 8.1 in Devils Lake/Grand Forks.
KBMY-TV, Channel 17.1 in Bismarck.
KMCY-TV, Channel 14.1 in Minot.
KXMA-TV, Channel 2.2 in Dickinson.
KXMD-TV, Channel 11.2 in Williston.

If UND wins, it will play either Denver or Western Michigan in Sunday’s regional championship. That game will be broadcast at 4:30 p.m. on ESPNU, which is available on Midcontinent digital cable in Grand Forks on channel 320.


Regional and national television options have not been announced yet.