Individual Awards
Learn more about KAB’s Individual Awards, listed below. Click on the links to see more information, nomination details, and the past winners of each award.
Hod Humiston Award for Sports Broadcasting
The Hod Humiston Award is given annually to a Kansas broadcaster who has made significant contributions to the The Hod Humiston Award is given annually to a Kansas broadcaster who has made significant contributions to the field of sports broadcasting as well as work in the community. The award is named for Hod Humiston who was the first television sportscaster in Kansas when he did play-by-play coverage of college games for KTVH (now KWCH TV), channel 12, Wichita.
Hod was founder and a co-owner of KSKU radio and was also employed as an announcer for KWBW and KWHK radio stations in Hutchinson. He was instrumental in bringing the national junior college basketball tournament to Hutchinson, where it has been since 1949.
See nomination details and previous winners by clicking below:
Dr. Ian Punnett Award
The Dr. Ian Punnett Media Educator Award is an annual honor recognizing exceptional Kansas educators who inspire a passion for media careers and make a transformative impact on their students. This prestigious award celebrates educators at both high school and college levels, acknowledging their innovative teaching, dedication to excellence, and profound contributions to media education.
Named in memory of the late Dr. Ian Punnett—renowned Kansas State University professor, media professional, and KAB Hall of Famer—the award debuted in 2024 with Dr. Punnett as the inaugural (posthumous) recipient. Each year, the honoree is announced and celebrated at the KAB Student Broadcast & Sports Seminar, spotlighting their achievements and commitment to shaping the future of the media industry. Nominations are due March 1 each calendar year.
See nomination details by clicking below:
Mike Oatman Award for Sales Excellence
The KAB established the Mike Oatman Award in 2003 to honor his memory and to recognize outstanding achievement in Kansas broadcast sales, sales management and mentoring others to sales success over a period of time. It was presented the first year, posthumously to Mike Oatman. This award is given annually to a Kansas broadcaster who has demonstrated the values Mike Oatman embodied: leadership, commitment to success, and sales excellence. Nominations are due August 1 each calendar year.
Mike was a partner with Mike Lynch in Great Empire Broadcasting Inc. until his retirement and the sale of Great Empire’s 13 radio stations to Journal Broadcast Group in June 2001. He continued to do his five-minute daily show of poetry and homespun humor on Wichita’s KFDI/KFTI radio. “A character that is defined by compassion, love and kindness toward all living things might be our only chance at being remembered more than a few weeks after the funeral” – Ol’ Mike
See nomination details and previous winners by clicking below:
Rising Star Award
The KAB Rising Star Award seeks to recognize young broadcasters who have made a significant impact on their stations and communities. Nominees must be under the age of 40 at the time of their nomination and must have spent a minimum of ONE year at a radio or TV station in Kansas. Finalists will be selected based on their contributions to the industry, spirit of innovation, and community involvement.
Nominations are due August 1 each calendar year.
See nomination details and previous winners by clicking below:
Sonny Slater Award for Service to Station and Community
The Sonny Slater Award was established in 1992 to honor Sonny Slater and to recognize a Kansas broadcaster, who is not an owner or general manager, for long time service to his or her station and community. Sonny Slater was farm director at KSAL Radio in Salina for 40+ years. Sonny was one of Kansas’ senior broadcasters in terms of years spent covering state farm meetings and workshops and farm Extension events.
This award is given annually to a broadcaster who has made substantial impacts in serving both their station and community. Nominations are due August 1 each calendar year.
See nomination details and previous winners by clicking below:
