Mitch Holthus

Mitchell G. Holthus (/ˈhoʊlθəs/; born June 28, 1957[1]), is the play-by-play announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network[2]. Additionally, he hosts various programs and events for 65TPT and the Chiefs organization.[3] He was on call for the Super Bowls LIV and LVII when the Chiefs won their second and third Super Bowl Championships in franchise history.[4] Holthus also hosts the Chiefs Insider program, Defending the Kingdom podcast,[5] Chiefs Rewind and is a contributor with the Chiefs Senior Team Reporter Matt McMullen on Chiefs Field Pass.[6] He also hosts the award winning "Minute With Mitch" television and radio series that is seen and heard in five states. [7]

Mitch Holthus
Mitch Holding Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LIV
Born (1957-06-28) June 28, 1957
Fort Lewis, Washington, US
EducationB.A. in Business administration, Kansas State University
OccupationSportscaster
SpouseTami Johnson
Children2

Early life

Holthus grew up on a family farm near Smith Center, Kansas after his parents finished military duty.[8] He began his broadcasting career while still in Smith Center High School, with his mentor Tad Felts for radio station KKAN in nearby Phillipsburg, Kansas.[9] Holthus graduated with two separate degrees from Kansas State University with a Bachelors in Journalism and a Bachelors in Business Administration.[10] He was named K-State Ambassador while a student there.[10]

Broadcast career

After graduating from K-State with his second undergraduate degree, Holthus worked in Pratt, KS for radio station KWLS. [11] In 1983, he moved to WIBW radio and TV in Topeka, KS.[12] There Holthus began a 13 year stint on the K-State Radio Network, as the "Voice of the K-State Wildcats."[11] In addition, Holthus was very involved with marketing for both the Network and the K-State athletic department.[13] He started the Jr. Wildcat Club in 1989 and was named K-State Catbacker of the Year in 1993.[12] Holthus then became the "Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs" in 1994, making him the longest tenured play-by-play announcer in Chiefs history.[12] Holthus also was a television basketball play-by-play announcer for 28 seasons, and his work was featured on the ESPN family of networks, FOX Regional Networks and other national outlets.[12] He served the Missouri Valley Conference for 26 seasons as their main play-by-play announcer and was awarded the "John Sanders Spirit of the Valley" Award in 2007.[14] Holthus is a past President of the National Sports Media Association and also served on its Board of Directors.[15] Holthus is a five-time Emmy winner for his on camera and online work from Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.[16]

Personal life

He is married to the former Tami Johnson of McPherson, Kansas, a former Kansas State women's basketball player.[17] They have two children. Holthus often sends a radio "shout out" to the Roxbury Fan Club, a greeting to members of his family that live near Roxbury, Kansas. Holthus is a Christian.[18]

Awards
  • 8-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year[16]
  • 9-time winner Kansas Broadcasters Association best play-by-play sportscast.
  • 1996 "Hod Humiston Award of Excellence" in Kansas Sportscasting.
  • 2007 awarded the "John Sanders Spirit of the Valley" by the Missouri Valley Conference.[14]
  • Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame[16]
  • Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame[16]
  • Kansas State University Athletics Hall of Fame[10]
  • Kansas City Sports Journalist of the Year[16]
  • Listed with the Voice of the Royals Denny Matthews as one of the Top 13 "one-two" play by play pairs in America[16]
  • 2020 Missouri Sportscaster of the Year[16]

Chiefs Kingdom

Holthus was the originator of the catch phrase "Chiefs Kingdom" to describe the vast and passionate throng of fans who follow the Chiefs.[19] The organization adopted the moniker in 2014 to strongly identify the ever increasing fan base and popularity surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs football team.[19]

References
  1. "Mitchell G Holthus United States Public Records, 1970-2009". familysearch.com. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  2. "Chiefs Kingdom with Mitch Holthus". November 19, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Holthus, Mitch (April 5, 2023). "About Mitch".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Grathoff, Pete (February 13, 2023). "Here is the radio call from Mitch Holthus of the Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVII".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Defending the Kingdom Podcast". April 5, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Chiefs Official Podcast Network". April 5, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. "Minute With Mitch". April 5, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Holthus, Mitch (April 6, 2023). "Mitch Holthus".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "Tad Felts: Phillipsburg's voice of endearment". AP NEWS. 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  10. "SE: Hall of Fame Spotlight: Mitch Holthus". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  11. Peterson, Rick. "'We're off the chain'". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  12. Kingdom Short: Voice of the Kingdom Mitch Holthus | Kansas City Chiefs, retrieved 2023-04-07
  13. "Mitch Holthus (2016) - K-State Athletics Hall of Fame". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  14. "Spirit Of The Valley Award". mvc-sports.com. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  15. "Mitch Holthus". ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  16. "Mitch Holthus Bio". mitchholthus.com. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  17. DeLap, Mark. "The voice of Kansas City coming to Sioux Center". The N'West Iowa REVIEW. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  18. Pease, Joshua. "Chiefs radio announcer Mitch Holthus sees God's providence in Super Bowl run". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  19. "Mitch Holthus is a storyteller who has elevated play-by-play to an art". Arrowhead Addict. 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
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