Rich Hawk was a programmer and station manager whose long tenure helped define KILO's modern rock identity.
Hawk worked in Colorado radio before arriving at KILO in the late 1970s. He spent roughly 28 years as station manager and program director of KILO and later KRXP, becoming closely associated with the active-rock format and KILO's reputation for supporting new rock music.
His professional recognition included three Billboard Station of the Year awards in 1988, 1989 and 1990, a Program Director of the Year honor in 1992 and a Golden Ears award in 1990, according to his obituary.
Trade coverage from 1998 listed Hawk as KILO's station manager/program director with Don Jantzen as assistant program director/music director. Hawk died March 7, 2013, at age 59.
Southern Colorado stations: KIIQ, KILO, KRXP.
Sources: Colorado Springs Gazette obituary for Richard Hawk (2013); Radio & Records; published KILO history.
Awards & Recognitions
Documented awards, honors, and finalist or nomination recognition associated with this station or broadcaster.
- 1992WinnerBillboard Radio AwardsProgram Director of the YearRich HawkRich Hawk obituary
- 1990WinnerRecord industry recognitionGolden Ears AwardRich HawkRich Hawk obituary
- 1988–1990WinnerBillboard Radio AwardsStation of the YearRich Hawk received three Billboard Station of the Year awards during his KILO/KRXP career.Rich Hawk obituary
Stations They Worked At
FROM THE TIMELINE
Career Moments
Rich Hawk and KILO cap major late-1980s rock run
Rich Hawk was a central programming figure during KILO's major rock-radio run. Later biographical records credit KILO with Billboard Station of the Year honors in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and Hawk with a Golden Ears award in 1990.
Rich Hawk named Program Director of the Year; Catherine Swendsen promoted
Rich Hawk received industry recognition as Program Director of the Year. Catherine Swendsen was promoted to music director after three years with KILO.
KILO 1993 management and programming roster
The 1993 Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook lists Rich Hawk as KILO station manager and program director, Greg Allen as promotions manager, Craig Kopp as music director, Gary Street as news director and John Gray as chief engineer. KILO remained album-oriented rock under Bahakel Communications and was listed at 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
Hard Report profiles Rich Hawk and KILO’s evolution
A December Hard Report profile documented Rich Hawk's unusually long tenure at KILO and the station's evolution through changing rock formats, ownership and frequency. Hawk recalled arriving in Colorado Springs in 1973, working in news and mornings at KPIK, and becoming part of the group that created KILO after Bob Telmosse and a partner acquired the FM.
KILO 1995–96 management snapshot
KILO listed Lou Mellini as GM, Jerry Cobb as GSM, Rich Hawk as PD and John Gray as chief engineer, operating from 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
KILO 1998 programming team documents active-rock additions
R&R lists Rich Hawk as station manager/program director and Don Jantzen as assistant program director/music director. An October reporting panel shows KILO adding Jerry Cantrell, Black Sabbath and Janus Stark, illustrating the station's active-rock/new-music orientation.
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