Courtesy KHAS-TV

(January 18, 2010) Those that were at Thursday night's basketball doubleheader at Ord between the Chantacleers and Burwell Longhorns were very fortunate. They had a chance to see an overtime thriller in the boys contest as well as honoring one of Nebraska's legendary broadcasters. He has called 5006 games with many more to come.

That voice is a most familiar one, that of Walt Smith on KNLV Radio, who has broadcast over 5,000 games for the station in Ord. Walt's voice is one of the most recognized in Nebraska and Thursday night it was time to recognize his achievement between games of the Burwell/Ord girls–boys doubleheader. Fellow announcer and long time friend Doug Duda was emotional.

"Everyone at the Grand Island Independent, Lincoln Journal State, Kearney Hub and Omaha World Herald have all sent wishes and they all say that Nebraska sports is a better place because of you," said Duda.

To know Walt Smith is to know his family, a family that could make up two starting basketball teams.

"I have never been around my kids when they were little. I got to know them when they grew up because of all the work that has do be done with 10 children. It takes a lot of money and a lot of effort to keep things going but I am proud of what was done there but I am really proud of my wife and what she has done," said Smith.

Walt's love of sports and broadcasting started many year ago in a place far from Nebraska where he was on the court against at least one legendary player.

"You know I had to play when I was a young man back in Philadelphia when I was a kid back there and I had a chance to play against people like Wilt Chamberlain back then," Smith said. "It was never a factor in any of the game but played against some pretty good peop[e in my young days and I was hooked on sports as a little kid. I have an uncle that was a Hall of Fame boxer and another one that was a soccer all–american. I cannot play anymore but I can talk about them."

As for broadcasting Thursday night's game, an overtime thriller in which Burwell defeated Ord 58–55, well there is no place where Walt Smith would rather be.

"You know when you sit here and you look over in the stands and see everybody jumping up and down and screaming and yelling for their team and their youngsters, their own children, it is just a great time and it is great competitivness between Burwell and Ord, where does it get any better than this. I do not care if it is college or where you go, you do not get better than what is here tonight," Smith said.

What is great about Thursday night is that there are many more games for Walt to broadcast of a lot more play by play excitement.

"So for myself and Jim McCoy here at Ord where Burwell won an overtime thriller over Ord, good night and we will see you again another night. Good night everyone."

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