Jon Winkler, Riverfront Broadcasting Pierre, was awarded the 2025 Sports Broadcaster of the Year by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association (SDBA) at their annual leadership conference in Sioux Falls.
The award recognizes a South Dakota sports broadcaster for their contribution to the field of sports broadcasting and for contributions to their broadcast communities.
Winkler covers multiple sports including baseball, softball, swimming, trapshooting, golf, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, competitive cheer and dance, track and field, cross country, and rodeo. He hosts Coaches Corner, emcees local events, and serves on nonprofit organization boards He has been instrumental in covering Pierre Governor Sports, contributing to the broadcast of six out of the last seven State Football Championship games. He is one of the few hockey sports broadcasters in the state, delivering play-by-play coverage for the Oahe Capital’s boys’ and girls’ games and serving as the voice of the South Dakota Amateur Hockey Tournament for both boys’ and girls’ varsity tournaments.
Winkler has not only witnessed and covered historic moments across various sports, he has been honored to cover many local athletes as they sign letters of intent to advance their sports careers.
The SDBA is a trade association representing South Dakota’s radio and television stations. The Association provides education, regulatory assistance and legislative representation to its members.
