By James Massara
On behalf of the entire staff
The North Central Ohio Media Group staff wishes to remember one of its own who made an impact on those who knew him during his 20 years at the station.
Jim Hahn died April 13, and the news shook the staff of WBCO, WQEL and Crawford County Now.
Hahn was an evening personality on WQEL which included responsibilities such as on-air, production and commercial and board-operation and engineer work for all local sports including phone board and coaches shows and live high school games. He also worked professional and college games with the Indians, Browns and Buckeyes.
Many remember Hahn’s incredible knowledge of music, especially early rock and roll.
“I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the music from the original rock n roll era, but nobody could beat ‘The Professor’ when it came to music knowledge,” said Davey Jones, who said he was the one who nicknamed Hahn as The Professor based on his music knowledge. “I always enjoyed Jim’s early evening “Drive at 5″ programing on WQEL. Jim would bring back so many music memories and was a wealth of music information that totally amazed me.”
Fellow on-air personality Will Beard also remembered Hahn’s knowledge of the industry.
“Jim was an encyclopedia for music knowledge. If it had to do with music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, Jim was very knowledgeable about that genre of rock and roll,” Beard said. “Jim earned the nickname ‘The Professor’ because he didn’t just enjoy the music or read up on the liner notes on an album; Jim followed and studied these groups and became very well-rounded on specific details about these musical artists, which allowed Jim to pass along his wisdom in conversation not only away from the radio but along to listeners who tuned in on a nightly basis.”
The staff at the station, especially those who knew him best, wish their condolences.
“I along with a host of your friends and colleagues will never forget you,” Jones said. “To all of Jim’s friends and family, our deepest sympathy and condolences.”
North Central Ohio Media Group General Manager Kim Goyer summed up the feeling of the entire staff with a single thought.
“The Professor will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”