A member of the 1998 state runner-up Galesburg Silver Streaks will join the WGIL Radio booth as a color analyst for Galesburg boys basketball games during the 2022-23 season.
Jason Wessels will team with longtime play-by-voice of the Streaks Brad Bennewitz on the call of Galesburg boys basketball starting with the season opener Monday against Canton in John Thiel Gym.
Wessels said Galesburg Junior/Senior High School Associate Principal Nick Young gets the assist for getting him behind the mic.
“It’s always really kind of been a dream of mine to be on the radio, so when Nick asked if I would be interested, I said ‘heck yeah,’” Wessels said. “The next thing I know, Brad is reaching out to me. It’s all moved pretty fast, but here I am.”
On Facebook: Silver Streaks basketball
Wessels was a key player off the bench for the 1997-98 Silver Streaks when he contracted bacterial meningitis on Christmas Day of 1997. Gravely ill in Peoria’s OSF St. Francis Medical Center for three weeks, he underwent life-saving amputations of his fingers and both legs below the knee on Jan. 21, 1998. But he was able to rejoin his teammates in Peoria that March as Galesburg placed second in the Class AA state tournament.
“So to now be involved with Silver Streaks basketball, it gets no better than that. I’ve missed the program, I’ve missed the gym, I’ve missed the atmosphere.” — Jason Wessels
Being back around Silver Streaks basketball is exciting for Wessels.
“I’ve been a sports head my whole life, whether it was playing, or watching on TV or listening on the radio,” Wessels said. “Before I was a Silver Streak, I’d always listen to (radio announcers) Jimmie (Carr) and Robb (Strack). It’s just always piqued my interest. There was no way I could turn this down.
“So to now be involved with Silver Streaks basketball, it gets no better than that. I’ve missed the program, I’ve missed the gym, I’ve missed the atmosphere.”
Bennewitz said he believes it’s important to have a partner who has ties to the program.
“I am super excited to have Jason on board,” Bennewitz said. “And quite honestly, I’m also excited because he is excited. Jason will help to make sure we are continuing to tell the story of the tradition of the program.
“To be able to have guys who have been a part of the program — guys like Steve Cheesman, Jeremy Pickrel and now Jason — and be able to tell those stories is so important.”
On Twitter: Silver Streaks basketball
Wessels admits there will be a learning curve to being on the radio, but is confident he’ll mesh well with Bennewitz.
“I’ve been around basketball all my life,” Wessels said. “I played, I’ve done some coaching — so I know basketball. I grew up with Kevin Heimann and was around Coach (Tim) Heimann, and he was a real big part of my life. Then I played for Coach (Barry) Swanson and Coach (Mike) Miller, so I’ve learned from some of the best. It’s in my blood.
“Hopefully, I can spread a lot of my knowledge and passion to the listeners.”
He added, “My biggest thing will be not stepping on Brad’s feet, because he’s just so good at what he does.
“It’s all going to be brand new for me, but I’m excited.”
WGIL 93.7 FM & 1400 AM will have live play-by-play of Monday’s opener vs. Canton. The pregame show starts at 6:40 p.m., with the tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. The game also will be streamed on WGIL.com.
