John Tisdell
I’ve always wanted to be in broadcasting. I joined WHIO Radio in 2002 after graduating from the University of Dayton and have worked every shift (overnights, evenings, middays, weekends, etc.), now mainly produce Miami Valley’s Morning News. I also serve as halftime and postgame host for Dayton Flyer football and basketball games. I co-host Flyer Feedback after road games and you may hear me do a story on our newscasts. I am a native New Englander, spent the first nine years in Barrington, RI and moved to Brentwood, TN (suburb of Nashville) in 1987 where my parents still reside. I am a huge sports fan. You will catch me supporting the Dayton Flyers, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Tennessee Volunteer Football, UNC Basketball (yes I rooted for the Flyers in the 2010 NIT Title Game and was at there!, Nashville Predators, Tennessee Titans, etc.
Q & A
Where were you born? Attleboro, MA
Where did you grow up? Barrington, RI and Brentwood, TN
What was your favorite TV show then? Perfect Strangers
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be? Play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox
How might someone have described you in high school? Shy and nice
What was your first job? Bagger/Stockboy at a grocery store
What was your first job in radio? Producer and announcer at UD campus radio station
What do you like about your job? My co-workers and the fact when you come in, you don’t know what to expect.
What do you not like about your job? Hours are long
What might people be surprised to know about you? Enjoy learning the country’s history; ranging from the American Revolution to the Civil War, World War II to the present.
What is the hardest thing you ever did? Worked 11 hours on the day of the Boston bombing and kept my emotions in check because it took place close to home for me.
What would be a perfect day for you? Red Sox win the World Series, Patriots win the Super Bowl, Volunteers win the national title, Celtics win the NBA Title, Dayton Flyers make it to the Final Four
What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business? Get involved early. If you’re in college, get involved in any campus media outlet (radio, TV, and/or newspaper). Internships, you will gain experience from those. Also, when you get your foot in the door, take advantage of any new positions.
If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it? Mix of halftime and postgame reports from football and basketball games, Flyer Feedback.
Favorites
Favorite book: Greatest Generation
Favorite radio program: Miami Valley’s Morning News
Favorite dream car: Convertible
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite hobby: Working in my Yard
Favorite Miami Valley place: UD Arena, The Greene
Favorite movie: Clue, Back to the Future
Favorite music: '80s Rock
Favorite travel destination: Mattapoisett, MA