Longtime Southern Illinois high school sports broadcaster Dave Rigg will be honored Thursday, October 15, with the Illinois High School Association’s Distinguished Media Service Award, recognizing a broadcasting career spanning 59 years.
The presentation will take place at Edwards County High School in Albion during Thursday night’s girls volleyball matchup between Edwards County and Hamilton County. The ceremony is scheduled for approximately 6:40 to 6:45 p.m., following the junior varsity match and before varsity competition.
A graduate of Edwards County High School, Rigg attended Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, where he studied radio and television broadcasting.
Rigg began his broadcasting career in 1967, covering Mt. Carmel Aces football and basketball on WSAB-FM. His interest in broadcasting was inspired by legendary St. Louis Cardinals announcer Harry Caray.
Before entering radio, Rigg gained experience as a public address announcer for Bone Gap Little League and Pony League baseball. While attending Wabash Valley College, he volunteered to assist with Mt. Carmel football broadcasts and eventually stepped into the play-by-play role when the regular announcer became ill.
In 1971, Rigg joined WFIW-FM in Fairfield, providing play-by-play coverage of basketball games involving Fairfield, Cisne, Wayne City, Edwards County, Mills Prairie and Grayville.
He also covered the first three Illinois Class A Boys Basketball State Tournaments in Champaign in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
After stepping away from radio broadcasting in 1975, Rigg continued serving as the public address announcer for Edwards County football. He returned to play-by-play broadcasting in 1979, concentrating on Edwards County football and basketball.
In 2002, Rigg expanded his coverage to internet webcasting, broadcasting Edwards County basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball games.
His career included coverage of several IHSA State Finals appearances, including Edwards County volleyball in 2012, 2013 and 2014, Webber Township baseball in 2014 and Wayne City softball in 2015.
Rigg was also the first to provide internet coverage of every Edwards County girls volleyball and basketball contest.
Known throughout Southern Illinois for the bright red sports coat he frequently wore while calling games, Rigg became a familiar presence at high school sporting events across the region.
Rigg has said one of the most rewarding parts of his career has been working with student-athletes and providing broadcasts for fans unable to attend games in person.
Away from sports broadcasting, he enjoys researching historical newspapers and writing stories about people and events from the past.
Thursday’s award presentation will recognize Rigg’s nearly six decades of dedication to high school athletics and sports broadcasting throughout Southern Illinois.