Linzmeier: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart'

To Jamestown,

You may have heard by now that after 8 1/2 years and over 1,000 broadcasts, I was informed that my employment was no longer needed at the radio station.

When I moved here in November of 2011, I never thought I would stay very long. I figured this would be a footnote in some great broadcasting career. Little did I know that the people of this town would embrace me and make leaving this place damn near impossible.

It has been a privilege to have a front-row seat to what Luke Heck called, a “sports revival” in Jamestown.

I saw the greatest decade in Jimmie women’s basketball history and got to be along for the ride at seven national tournaments. From Jessica Buck’s game-winner against Dickinson to “The Dawgs” making poor point guards cry with their intense pressure, it is something I will forever cherish.

I was there for the Jimmie baseball team’s run to the final game in Oklahoma City as they tried to end a decade-long World Series drought. Unfortunately, we didn’t win that final game as OCU had “one more arrow in the quiver,” but that week was special.

I got to be along for the ride of a lifetime when Jacoby Lloyd and his boys went an incredible 27-0 and won the first state basketball championship in 23 years. The fact that my voice will be forever linked to Mason Walters imposing his will inside, Boden Skunberg’s stop-and-pop triples, Jared Kallenbach’s floaters and the legendary Dawson Douty bank shot, is something that broadcasters dream of.

One of the greatest nights of my life was the GPAC Men’s Basketball Championship in Sioux City. The silence of that crowd when the clock ran out and Jamestown ended the 27-game home winning streak of Morningside is something that will stay with me for a long time. But, nothing will ever compare to the six-hour bus ride home. There was a buzz the entire time; I don’t think anyone had slept when we arrived back in Jamestown at 3:30 a.m.

The week I spent in Sioux City last fall with the Jimmie volleyball team was quite an experience. What those women did that week was something out of a fairytale. All the years of frustration that they had experienced at the national tournament came pouring out in wins over Lindsey Wilson and Northwestern. The fact that I got to live that with you all is stunning to me. There is no doubt in my mind that under different circumstances, that red banner would be hanging in Newman Arena.

I can’t forget the 2013 Jamestown High volleyball team. I don’t mean to make this about me, but for a second I would like to. That night in Minot was my breakthrough in Jamestown. I owe a lot of my personal success to that team. It opened a lot of doors for me in this community. I won’t ever forget the emotion that ran through me on that final point, I was so incredibly happy for that team and our city.

To the coaches, I couldn’t have done what I did without access to you and your teams. You trusted me from day one and I hope that I lived up to my end of the bargain. I can’t truly put into words what our friendships mean to me.

To the athletes, you all mean more to me than you’ll ever know. I had a front-row seat to all your amazing athletic accomplishments, but more importantly, I gained many lifelong friends. I’ve got so many great stories that I can’t wait to reminisce with all of you in the near future.

To the listeners, what can I say? You all embraced me and made me feel at home. I couldn’t have done what I did without such great support. This community is special and I am honored to be a part of it. I don’t have plans to leave as of now, so make sure to stay in touch.

Lastly, the outpouring of support I have received in the last few days has been overwhelming. I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words what that has meant to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.