Jun 17, 2024

Eagle Media, KCOW Radio welcomes Canon Rath as the next “Voice” of the Alliance Bulldogs

Posted Jun 17, 2024 6:05 PM
Canon Rath calling the UNK Women's basketball game in November 2022 (Courtesy Photo)
Canon Rath calling the UNK Women's basketball game in November 2022 (Courtesy Photo)

Panhandle Post 

Alliance, Neb. - Eagle Media, Panhandle Post and KCOW Radio are excited to welcome Canon Rath as the new “Voice” of the Alliance Bulldogs. Rath currently serves as a News Director for Eagle Media and works throughout the Nebraska Markets for North Platte Post, Sandhills Post and Panhandle Post. He will maintain his current position with this new expanded role.

Last season, Rath called games for our sister market, Sandhills Post, calling local area games of the week on Flatrock 100.7. His duties included doing play-by-play for football and basketball.  

“We are thrilled to have Canon expand his role at Eagle, becoming an integral part of our team in Alliance and Chadron,” said Olivia Hasenauer, Nebraska Regional Manager. “With his extensive experience in play-by-play coverage and his deep knowledge of the teams and players in Western Nebraska, Canon is the perfect fit. His grandpa, has ties in the Bayard area further enhance this seamless transition.” 

Canon Rath and former KLPR sport staff at the 2024 NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament. L-R: Canon Rath, Jon Willis and Ethan McCormick (Courtesy Photo)
Canon Rath and former KLPR sport staff at the 2024 NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament. L-R: Canon Rath, Jon Willis and Ethan McCormick (Courtesy Photo)

Rath has over eight years of sports broadcasting experience and six years of radio broadcasting. Throughout his career, he has called games at the high school and collegiate level. Canon also had a once in a lifetime opportunity to call the 2020 Class D2 Football State Championship between Dundy County Stratton and Burwell for Nebraska Public Media (formerly known as NET). 

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to become the new “Voice” of the Alliance Bulldogs and getting to know the coaches, student-athletes and community starting this fall,” said Rath. “I can’t wait to get to work and bring Bulldog athletics on KCOW radio!” 

L-E: Trevor Bentley and Canon Rath calling the 2020 Class D2 Football State Championship for Nebraska Public Media (formerly known as NET) (Courtesy Photo)
L-E: Trevor Bentley and Canon Rath calling the 2020 Class D2 Football State Championship for Nebraska Public Media (formerly known as NET) (Courtesy Photo)

KCOW Radio and Panhandle Post are excited for this next chapter and looking to be the premier provider of coverage for the Panhandle Region. 

“This is an exciting time not only for our dedicated audience, who passionately follow AHS sports on KCOW 1400AM/92.5FM and Panhandle Post, but also for the schools we cover. In Western Nebraska, being local and embedded in our communities is crucial,” said Hasenauer. “We pride ourselves on providing top-notch coverage for our young student-athletes. At Eagle, we are committed to being the premier provider of news, sports, and entertainment in the Panhandle Region.” 

About Canon Rath 

Rath graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in May 2023 as a dual major in Sports Communication and Sports Management. During his 5-year tenure as a Loper, he was heavily involved with the student run radio station 91.1 KLPR, where he hosted a weekly sport show, hosted a weekly sports update and did play-by-play/color for Loper Athletics.

He spent four years on the KLPR Sports Staff and was Sports Director for his last three years of college. He has been nominated many times at the national level for his work for Loper Athletic broadcast, his weekly sports update “Loper Update” and the longest student running show “Throwin Lopes” where he created it with fellow student Grant Tighe in 2020. 

Canon Rath in New York City in March of 2020 with his IBS Award for "Best Sports Update" (Courtesy Photo)
Canon Rath in New York City in March of 2020 with his IBS Award for "Best Sports Update" (Courtesy Photo)

Rath got his start in broadcasting when he was a Junior at Kearney High School when he joined the Bearcat Sports Network, which is Kearney High School’s Striv program. Canon got his start in radio his freshman year in college when he joined Platte River Radio as a board op and producer. He would regularly produce the Doug and Daddy Show, studio engineering many sporting events, and more. Rath also hosted the "Rutts and Rivals Scoreboard Show" for two years. After a 2-year stint, Canon would join KRGI as a color analyst announcer for the St. Paul Wildcats football team.  

Rath just recently celebrated one year with Eagle Media earlier this month. He has done work for Panhandle Post along with Sandhills Post and North Platte Post. During his free time, Rath enjoys playing golf with his grandpa, going on walks, playing pickleball and playing video games. Feel free to follow Canon Rath on X (Formerly Twitter).