Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Sid Hielema wrote, “Each of our faith journeys is a “jagged line” of ups and downs, but just as God patiently walks with us […], we patiently and hopefully walk with others, keeping our eyes fixed on the goal.” (p 14)
Lord,
Our lives are filled with highs and lows, good times and bad, times of struggle and times of ease. You are with us through them all. Give us compassion and grace, not only for ourselves, but for others, no matter where we may be along the jagged line.
Amen.
Announcements
Tri-Star Soccer
Co-chair Mike Creech announced that Tri-Star Soccer will take place on September 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the field behind Magsig. Volunteers for registration and scoring can sign up through the Member Calendar. No soccer experience is needed, as high school students will be running the stations. They need several more volunteers.
Euchre Party
Beth Duncan announced a Euchre Party on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 6:30 PM at ContempoRoast. Cost is $5 at the door. Bring an appetizer and a beverage of your choice.
Annual Officer Installation Dinner – Register Now!
Beth Duncan announced that the Annual Officer Installation Dinner will be on September 30, 2025. Gary Smiga will be the emcee for the evening. Register online using the Member Calendar.
Team Captains Needed for the Christmas Tree Lot
Greg Griffin reported that the Christmas Tree Lot is ready to go for 2025. The club has city approval for locating it in the DMV parking lot and the required insurance certificate. Anyone interested in serving as a team captain should let Greg know.
Jack Pohl – From Sports to the News Desk at Channel 2
Early Inspiration in Centerville
Scott Langer introduced our speaker, longtime broadcaster and Centerville native Jack Pohl, who graduated from Centerville High School in 1983 before attending Sinclair and Wright State. Jack grew up in Centerville, where his love for broadcasting began early. At just five years old, he was putting on a sport coat with “ABC” written on it in crayon and pretending to be on television. In grade school he even won a talent contest by doing a Howard Cosell impersonation. By high school, he found his way into the WCWT radio program at CHS, a turning point that set him on the path he still follows today.
From Radio to Television
Jack initially played football for the Elks but gave it up after two years to focus on radio and play-by-play announcing. He landed his first real break at WTUE, working Sunday mornings from 5 to 10 a.m., mostly running public service programming but cherishing his 15 minutes at the end of the shift as a DJ. Persistence was the key as he bugged the station for months until they finally hired him. That same persistence later helped him break into television.
In radio, Jack is best remembered for co-hosting the Z-93 morning show with Kim Faris. But as syndicated programming took over and the tone of radio shows shifted, he felt the pull toward TV. His foot in the door at Channel 2 came through a lighthearted “Breach Match” comedy segment covering high school football with Jim Booker. Eventually, WDTN hired him, first for weekends, and in 2002 he became the Sports Director.
Covering Sports in Dayton and Beyond
For more than 20 years, Jack covered Ohio State’s national championships under both Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, Reds playoff games and the All-Star Game, the Bengals’ postseason runs, NCAA tournament games with the Flyers, and even the Winter Olympic Training Center in Utah. He also served as play-by-play announcer for Wright State basketball.
Jack is a huge Bengals fan, so covering the team was a dream. He said being at the Super Bowl was something he will always remember, but admitted the experience felt sterile compared to the excitement of regular season and playoff games. Those were the moments when he was working directly with the teams and fans, and the atmosphere was far more enjoyable.
Sports reporting also came with perks. Unlike news, which takes you to accident scenes and tough stories, the sports press box always had a spread. From bratwurst and cheese curds in Green Bay to prime rib in Seattle, sports coverage came with meals that kept broadcasters going late into the night.
Mentors Who Shaped His Career
Jack credited two mentors who influenced his career: Omar Williams, the legendary Channel 2 broadcaster, and Steve Kirk, a well-known Dayton radio personality. He said he learned both professionalism and showmanship from them, and his trademark energy on camera traces back to their guidance.
Transition to the Anchor Desk
Covering sports for three decades was both a thrill and a grind. Lugging heavy cameras through rain, snow, and gymnasiums wore him down. In 2023, an unusual chain of events opened the door to the anchor desk. Main anchor John Seibel left for another opportunity, co-anchor Brooke Moore went on maternity leave, and other anchors were unavailable. With a newsroom in need, Jack stepped in. Viewers responded well, and by January, 2024 he was named a permanent anchor.
Jack admitted that working 2 p.m. to midnight for so many years came with sacrifices. He missed some of his children’s activities and regrets that part of his career, though he joked that “at least we talk about it in therapy every week.”
A New Approach to Broadcasting
Jack described the differences between sports and news. In sports, he picked the stories and edited his own video. In news, he relies on a team producing four hours of content daily. Still, he approaches anchoring the same way, keeping it conversational, easy to follow, and uplifting, knowing most viewers are multitasking as they watch.
He also reminded us that most news is not bad news, and he chooses to emphasize optimism whenever he can. That is fitting for someone who has always been upbeat and enthusiastic. He laughed that viewers expected him to “yell the news” because of his enthusiastic sports style, but said that is just who he is as the youngest of eight children.
WDTN History
Jack shared some fun history about WDTN’s studios. The building was originally built to be a skating rink before running out of money and being sold to Channel 2 (WDTN). In earlier years it hosted programs like Bowling for Dollars and even live wrestling matches, long before WWE, right inside the building.
Life Beyond the Studio
Outside of work, Jack enjoys golf at Yankee Trace, skiing, biking, and spending time with his family, including his children and grandchildren. He is grateful to still be living out his dream at age 60.
Thank You
Thank you, Jack Pohl, for sharing your journey from sports to the news desk.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” – Benjamin Franklin
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Bill Fischer, Third Reading, Sponsored by Mike Bevis
- Tony Feldkamp, Induction, Sponsored by Larry Lynde
Happy Bucks
- Beth Duncan gave $5 in Happy Bucks to thank Scott Langer for arranging her idol, Jack Pohl, as today’s speaker.
- Tim Mach is happy to have won the 50/50 two weeks in a row. He had to pay a Happy Buck because the sergeants told him he would be fined if he did not.
- Karl Frydryk was happy to share that Mike Thonnerieux will be the Head Kernel for the 2025 Beavercreek Popcorn Festival.
- Scott Langer announced they are welcoming a new grandchild.
- Gail Aiken celebrated shooting a 9-hole round of golf and winning a new golf bag.
Sergeants at Arms Fines – Dave Kay and Denise Green
- Stan Fronzaglia was selected by the Random Fine of the Week.
- Beth Duncan was lucky the club doesn’t have a Human Resources department after joking about her “idol” Jack Pohl.
- Jay McAlpine picked the wrong name badge.
- Paul Stull said he never wins the 50/50, and we are an Optimist Club.
- Don Kelley was fined for being “lazy” after hitching a ride from the parking lot in a golf cart to the Yankee Trace door.
- Mike Bevis tried to buy his 50/50 ticket with a $2 bill, which was jokingly called “counterfeit.”
- Beth Duncan was selected when Jack Pohl tapped the spin button on the Wheel of Misfortune on Sergeant Dave Kay’s phone.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Amy Kopp | Mike Bevis |
| Bill Fischer | Mike Bevis |
| Jack Pohl | Speeakr |
| Michael Mogan | Jim Mogan |
| Michael Smith | Mike Bevis |
| Tony Feldkamp | Inducted Today |
| Lorisa Motko | Craig Dring |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Dawn Arrowood | August 26, 2019 | 6 |
| Penny Culhane | August 26, 2019 | 6 |
| Mary Madden | August 26, 1998 | 27 |
| Ken Peacock | August 31, 2001 | 24 |
| Jeff Busch | August 31, 2001 | 24 |
| Drew Mckenzie | September 1, 1987 | 38 |
| Frank DePalma | September 1, 1979 | 46 |
| Larry Lynde | September 1, 1988 | 37 |
| Gary Anderson | September 1, 1979 | 46 |
| Jerry Stahley | September 1, 1986 | 39 |
Birthdays
| Rick Kempfer | August 28 |
| Julie Cochran | August 31 |
| Chris McAlpine | August 31 |
| Jim Mogan | August 31 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received this Week
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slide Deck from this week’s meeting