WCBL Radio Honored with Prestigious Statewide Award

Kentucky station recognized for excellence in sports broadcasting

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:51pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a high school basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and gold, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.WCBL Radio's decades of dedication to covering local high school sports is celebrated through a cubist, geometric interpretation of the energy and action of a basketball game.Benton Today

WCBL Radio in Benton, Kentucky has been selected to receive the Dr. Rudy J. Ellis Distinguished Service Award from the Kentucky Athletic Administrators Association for its dedication, commitment, and service in making a lasting impact on athletic coverage in the commonwealth.

Why it matters

Local sports coverage is a cornerstone of WCBL's programming, and the station's recognition by the KAAA highlights its longstanding commitment to serving the Marshall County community through comprehensive high school sports broadcasts.

The details

WCBL will be formally recognized at the KAAA's Award Banquet on April 23rd in Louisville, where the station will be honored alongside other recipients of this year's award. WCBL has provided extensive coverage of Marshall County High School football, basketball, softball, baseball, and soccer for decades, with a team led by longtime Sports Director Jeff Waters.

  • WCBL first went on the air in 1954.
  • Jim Freeland joined WCBL in 1969 and expanded the station's sports coverage.
  • Jeff Waters became WCBL Sports Director in 1994 and continues in that role today.
  • The KAAA Award Banquet will take place on April 23, 2026.

The players

WCBL Radio

A radio station in Benton, Kentucky that has provided extensive coverage of Marshall County High School sports for decades.

Kentucky Athletic Administrators Association (KAAA)

The organization that selected WCBL Radio to receive the Dr. Rudy J. Ellis Distinguished Service Award for the station's excellence in sports broadcasting.

Jim Freeland

A former owner and general manager of WCBL Radio who joined the station in 1969 and is credited with expanding and enhancing the station's sports coverage.

Jeff Waters

The current Sports Director at WCBL Radio, who has held that role since 1994.

Marshall County High School

The high school whose sports teams WCBL Radio has provided extensive coverage of for many years.

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What they’re saying

“WCBL has long considered itself a partner with Marshall County High School and Marshall County Athletics, and we are blessed to have such a wonderful working relationship.”

— Jeff Waters, Sports Director, WCBL Radio

What’s next

WCBL Radio will be formally recognized at the KAAA Award Banquet on April 23, 2026 in Louisville.

The takeaway

WCBL Radio's recognition by the Kentucky Athletic Administrators Association for its excellence in sports broadcasting highlights the station's longstanding commitment to serving the Marshall County community through comprehensive high school sports coverage, a partnership that has endured for decades.