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Ed Kilgore: It's not a retirement, it's a new challenge

by jmaloni

Press release

Thu, Apr 11th 2013 05:05 pm

WGRZ has announced that, after a career that has spanned five different decades, Sports Director Ed Kilgore is leaving "2 On your Side" at the end of May to take on a new challenge.

"Channel 2 has been a huge part of my life," Kilgore said. "The station is in better shape now than it has ever been. That's why it's bittersweet to walk away. But, it's also OK to walk away now, knowing I was a part of that recent growth."

During his 40-year career, Kilgore has done much more than just act as the station's sports director. He was the intermission host for the Buffalo Sabres broadcasts for 10 years. He covered four Super Bowls, two Olympics, and two Stanley Cup finals. Kilgore, along with photojournalist Andy DeSantis, won the first New York State Emmy ever for the Buffalo market in 1993. He hosted the popular "Bowling for Dollars" program for many years, as well as the "Lou Saban Show," the "Chuck Knox Show," and the "Jim Kelly Show." In 2011, Kilgore climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and, in 2012 wrote a book on his career covering Buffalo sports.

"It is truly the end of an era for Buffalo Broadcasting. Ed is the last of the TV sports pioneers here," said Jim Toellner, WGRZ-TV president and general manager. "He has been a part of and chronicler of huge changes in media and especially pro sports. A couple sentences are woefully inadequate to summarize his contributions to sports fandom in WNY. We will miss his daily examinations and enthusiasm."

"Ed's legendary status looms large inside Channel 2," said News Director Jeff Woodard. "There is no one in Buffalo television who can offer the perspective that Ed can offer on every sports story that develops. He has been a tremendous resource for the entire staff."

While Kilgore's last day at Channel 2 will be May 24, he is not retiring. He has accepted a position with East Resources, a company run by Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula. WGRZ stressed Kilgore's position will not involve the Buffalo Sabres, so Kilgore, "will continue to objectively cover the Buffalo Sabres during the final weeks of his time at Channel 2."

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