No league in the State enjoys radio broadcasts of the quality that Bob Sagendorf of WATR 1320 AM produces. Our league is extremely fortunate to have this talented individual with exceptional professional credentials share our passion for high school football. If you've listened on the radio, you've experienced both the expertise and the love of the game. This level of broadcasting comes from years of experience and innovation as evidenced in this summary we were able to maintain regarding Mr. Sagendorf's professional experience.
Bob Sagendorf began his broadcasting career in 1975 on WOWW-AM in Naugatuck. He served in many capacities ranging from news anchor, to afternoon host to News and Sports Director. In 1978, the station was purchased by AL Primo and became 14-NVR. It was at WNVR-AM that Sagendorf met his friend of 30 years, Chris Berman. The two co-hosted a popular night time sports talk show entitled, "Calling All Sports".
Sagendorf worked in the Waterbury market until 1985 when, the man who teamed Bob up with Chris Berman, Joe McCoy, hired him as production director of the nation's leading oldies radio station, WCBS-FM in New York City. During his time at 'CBS-FM, Sagendorf not only built one of the most profitable commercial production departments in New York Radio, he branched out in music production with Columbia/Sony Records working with Billy Joel, among others, and became one of the first digital audio editors in the radio industry.
As opportunities called at CBS, Sagendorf produced the first five Rock and Roll Hall of Fame national radio specials, did fill-in anchor work for CBS Radio Sports and was the primary promotional voice of CBS Radio Sports from 1987-1991.
In 1991, Sagendorf received a call from his friend Chris. ESPN wanted to build a national sports radio network and would he come help the process. On November 12, 1991 Bob became the first employee and one of the primary architects of The ESPN Radio Network.
He served as Operations Manager until February of 2000 overseeing the launch of all programs including; Sports Beat with Brent Musburger, The Fabulous Sports Babe, The NBA on ESPN Radio, MLB on ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio's Extra Point with Chris Berman. In 2000, Sagendorf accepted a new challenge at ESPN, remote producer for The NBA on ESPN Radio, MLB on ESPN Radio and college football bowl games on ESPN radio
During his time at ESPN, Sagendorf also became the lead voice for many ESPN signature programs, which included, NFL Countdown, NFL Sunday Night Football, NFL Monday Night Countdown, National Hockey Night, College basketball and football, The Tour de France, The U-S Open Golf Championship and many college bowl games. At one point Sagendorf's voice could be heard in 169 countries around the world on ESPN International.
These days, Bob is News and Sports Director on WATR-AM and can be heard weekday mornings with Tom Chute. He also is heard Friday nights doing play by play for Connecticut high school football and basketball for WATR-AM, Bird’s Eye Sports and Connecticut Public television. Bob is also one the primary architect’s of CTSN, or the Connecticut Sports Television Network. A joint venture between Connecticut Public Television and WFSB-TV Channel 3 bringing high school and small college sports to Connecticut television viewers. In addition to his local radio and television duties Bob served as an adjunct instructor of Journalism and Radio Production at Briarwood College from 2002 – 2006.
