By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Press Box Suite C at Gowans Stadium has been renamed the Rusty Hilst Broadcast Booth, honoring the longtime voice of Hutchinson High School and Hutchinson Community College athletics.
Hilst, who died in June after a battle with ALS, spent more than 50 years calling football and basketball games for the Salthawks and Blue Dragons. Known for his warm and steady delivery, he became a fixture on the local airwaves and a trusted source for generations of fans.
The dedication was held Friday at Gowans Stadium, where family, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate Hilst’s legacy as a teacher, coach and broadcaster.
“Rusty started broadcasting Blue Dragon athletics in 1969,” HutchCC sports information director Steve Carpenter said. “He called 870 Blue Dragon football games, winning 692, and 1,681 Blue Dragon men’s basketball games, winning 1,274. In the later years, he even did 249 women’s basketball games, winning 226. During that time, he got to call three national basketball championships, 19 men’s conference titles, six women’s titles, 14 men’s Region VI titles and six women’s Region VI titles. In football, four league titles and 16 bowl appearances. Rusty got to call a lot of good stuff.”
Over his career, Hilst earned numerous accolades, including Kansas Sportscaster of the Year and the Hod Humiston Award from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. He was inducted into the Hutchinson High School Wall of Honor and later became the first non-player inducted into the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club Hall of Fame.
“When you name a room after an individual, it’s a permanent way to recognize their importance to a team, school or organization,” HutchCC athletic director Josh Gooch said. “Today is a special day. We get to honor and memorialize a legendary broadcaster that we all got to enjoy.”
Friends and colleagues said Hilst’s influence extended beyond the press box, recalling his kindness, mentorship and commitment to the Hutchinson community.
“On behalf of Hutch High and USD 308, I just want to say how thankful we are for Rusty,” Hutchinson High athletic director Steve Kappenman said. “Myself, growing up, those are my first memories of listening to Hutch High and the Blue Dragons with my dad — that voice in our house. We didn’t have smartphones, so it was that radio tuned into Rusty each time.”
One of Hilst’s longtime broadcast partners and the current voice of the Salthawks, Glen Grunwald, shared stories from years of traveling to and from games together.