(Noah Friedman in his own words) – Havre and the Hi-Line. It’s what I start out every sportscast with. It’s a been a privilege. But it’s time to move on. This month marked two years in the “Pride of the Hi-Line”.
I’ve dreamed of being a play-by-play announcer ever since I was eight years old. I got to achieve that dream here in Havre by being the voice of the Havre Blue Ponies, Chinook Sugarbeeters, and MSU-Northern Lights and Skylights during football and basketball season. My first on-air sporting event here was actually baseball, when the Havre Northstars hosted the 2023 Northwest Class ‘A’ Regional Baseball Tournament and won a game against one of the best Legion teams in the region. That was my first taste of commentary I had called in well over a year. I missed that aspect of my life and Havre made me love it again, even having not done it consistently since graduating college in 2018.
I’ve covered a multitude of events that have given me goosebumps, like when Box Elder boys’ basketball went undefeated for the 2023-24 school year and got to clinch the title against the previous two-time defending state champion Manhattan Christian Eagles at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. I got to cover Havre football and basketball from the open-air booth of Blue Pony Stadium to the musty confines of the Blue Pony Corral booth. I was introduced to eight-man football thanks to the Chinook Sugarbeeters and boy, was that an experience that I’ll treasure. I was on the call when MSU-Northern football got its first win in two years, which opened the 2023 season and was also on the call for the next win, which came to close out the 2024 campaign. So many things occurred in between that it’s hard to even think back.
I’ve interviewed countless people here from Hi-Line athletes, coaches, and administrators to (randomly) Robb Nenn, who is on MLB’s all-time saves list, Havre has given me unlimited growth and potential to execute my skills that had frankly been washed up for the better part of five years because of doing production at FOX Sports before landing this gig. Shoot, even the Atlanta Falcons came to town to run a flag football clinic.
All of what I’ve talked about so far was in the first season covering sports and I knew I was in the right place! Havre (truly) has it. I was a professional broadcaster for two years. My dream was achieved, but there’s still more to do in my life occupancy. It’s also because of people like you who are reading this love letter to Havre, the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Whether you complimented me or critiqued me, you made me a better broadcaster, a better reporter, and a better journalist.
There are many individuals who have held this particular job in the last decade or so and it’s been an unbalanced transition between sports directors, which has been rough for a community that does not deserve that. I just want to let you know that as I look back on this experience on the Hi-Line, I gave it my all. Whether I made a mistake that was caught or that someone in the community pointed out, I was grateful. I wanted to put out consistent and local sports news and timely updates, which is why I value the connections I’ve made up here.
To everyone associated with sports in the New Media Broadcasters listening area from all the Class ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, and collegiate ranks, thank you. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to get to know you and do countless phone interviews along with the occasion in-person chat. There are too many folks to name and I know I am going to forget individuals who have helped me along the way, but you know who you are.
To NMB President C. David Leeds, thank you for hiring me two years ago and giving me the chance two months into this journey to be the sports director. Hopefully I am leaving this place better than I found it.
To office manager Yevette Shanklin, you kept me on my toes and bailed me out when I needed to be on the air or schedule sporting events and I’ll always be thankful.
A lot of nights at New Media Broadcasters were spent with program manager/director Kelly Korsbeck, who gave me laughs, told me stories, and encouraged me when I needed a good kick to do the trick. Thank you for always being patient with me, Kelly.
To the two-headed monster of account executives Kyle Leeds and Tony Vigliotti, I wouldn’t have been successful without your coaching and history lessons of this area as well as what it means to be from Havre.
To the two employees left standing from months into my tenure, Kendall Brown and Isreal Hale, you’ve been my consistent work pals, whether it was relieving shift duties or working into the late night hours, you were always there with me. Thank you. And applying that as well to the employees who have come and gone, thank you for all the help on sports coverage, whether it was copying and pasting my recaps when I was in the field or board op-ing my broadcasts.
Now, what’s next for me? The short answer is that I do not know yet. I’ve always tried to be transparent with everyone who asks about me, but to this point, I am still searching for that advancement in my career. Havre can only take me so far.
I’ve written over 1,000 articles in my two years here, a number I cannot even fathom. I’ve spoken on-air more times than that, whether it’s been for news, sports, weather, current conditions, or updates. All of this has come full circle in writing this last article.
I survived my first two North-Central Montana winters as a California kid. I rolled with what it was like to be here during unpredictable springs and summers. I fell in love. I’ve met so many fantastic people. I’ve solidified that this is going to be a place I can come back to with my future children, no matter where I end up. This hopefully won’t be the last you hear from me.
For now, one final time on this platform, Noah Friedman, the now-former sports director with New Media Broadcasters.
