NDSU men’s basketball season has now come to an end. It was a remarkable year and just to get to the NCAA tournament let alone win the first game is a huge credit to Saul Phillips and his amazing cast of players. I know literally nothing about college basketball and when I was sitting in the studios watching the NCAA Selection Show, the number 5 seed Oklahoma Sooners popped up in the West Bracket and they were to face the number 12 seed North Dakota State University out of Fargo North Dakota. Right away I’m thinking that people in the sports world are once again eyeing Fargo after ESPN’s Gameday and the Bison Football Championship. But for some reason I told our Brad Anderson who was running the control board that I liked this match up for the Bison. Right away sports websites are picking THE upset for the first round. Bison to beat the Sooners. Honest, I just took a shot and said I liked this match-up. Now with nearly everybody saying upset, I thought the dreaded word. “JINX”. We sat around with many Bison Fans at the Gastropub cheering them on, because we’re leading most of the way and then the Sooners pull ahead with a minute remaining. Things were slowing down and I headed for the car because it looked like I would have to go on the air after the post game show on KFGO. On the drive back to the station I never heard so many “My Oh My’s” come out of Scotty Miller’s mouth as the Bison tied it up to go into overtime and win. Unfortunately things didn’t fair to well with San Diego State. Even if it was only one win, it was one more win then the last time the Bison were at the “Big Dance”. There was also some speculation about Saul Phillips and if he would get an offer from a bigger school. Just like I said about Craig Bohl, if Saul stays here great for us, if he moves on, then great for him and his family.
R.I.P Ed Milligan
We lost Old Sarge last weekend. Ed Milligan who has hosted KFGO’s Veteran’s Hour for the last number of years. This was one man who was highly devoted to his military comrades. If you had any questions; from Military benefits to proper flag edicate,,, if he didn’t know the answer he would have a phone number for you for someone that did. If I remember correctly Ed was in the Vietnam conflict and also did a short stint in Korea. He had over 24 years of service to our nation. Ed also received a purple heart from injuries suffered from a mortar shell.
Two things I remember vividly about Ed. He helped the push to get Woodrow Wilson Keeble a posthumous Medal of Honor from President Bush. Though he may not have been the one to fill out all the paperwork, he was heavy getting the word out of Keeble’s qualifications for the Award.
Through Ed’s devotion to his ‘Veteran’s hour” KFGO received the 2007 American Legion Press Award. It was given to the station but in reality it was Ed’s baby. We just gave him the microphone to help get the word out on whatever subject was at hand concerning our Veterans. I was honored to accept the award at the Legion in Wahpeton on behalf of KFGO with Ed.
I also remember one year we road in a parade in downtown Fargo together and his vehicle sign read “Ed Mulligan” instead of “Milligan”. (I’ll substitute a couple of words here). “Those fella’s have known me for over 25 years, those gentlemen probably did it on purpose.”
When Ed did his show once a month he usually came in with a joke, before the microphones’ were turned on…were they funny? Well funny is in the ear of the beholder I guess. But we usually got a chuckle.
You Veteran’s of Military Service never had a bigger supporter, a man in your corner, a man who has been where you’ve been. R.I.P Ed Milligan!