Inductees

The story goes that on his first day as Vice President & General Manager of KOLR 10 TV, Leo Henning barely eased into the GM’s chair when a call came in from Jerald Andrews, President & Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

This was in 2012, when Henning sought to expand the community outreach of KOLR 10 and its other media entities at a time when Andrews hoped to ensure more exposure for the Hall of Fame.

Call it the start of a terrific partnership and a wonderful friendship. Henning thew his full support the next eight years behind the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as well as the major summer event it manages, the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.

That’s why Andrews proudly honored Henning with the President’s Award, which is bestowed on an individual who champions the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and supports athletics in the state.

Henning recently retired after overseeing Nexstar Broadcasting’s Springfield media contingent of KOLR 10 TV, Ozarks FOX 5, KOZL and Ozarksfirst.com. He saw to it that the station became a corporate sponsor of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and a lead sponsor of the PCCC. Both are 501c-3s.

“I really believe when you are an individual new to a community, you are not going to have much relevance in the community if you don’t get out and be a significant part of it,” Henning said. “With (Andrews’) portfolio of events, it made sense for us to be involved.”

Understand the power of KOLR 10 and its media contingent. In essence, Henning helped toward the the Hall of Fame’s ongoing success through sponsorships of all events – the Enshrinement, Celebrity Golf Classics, and Sporting Clays Classic.

Additionally, Nexstar greatly promoted the PCCC, which has gifted more than $16.5 million to Ozarks children’s charities since 1990.

“I’m proud to call Leo a friend,” Andrews said. “His leadership showed how a media outlet can help make a difference in the community. The Ozarks have always been a wonderful place to live, and he helped make it better.”

Henning had previously worked 33 years for Quincy Media – he held every role imaginable – before spending six years with Barrington Broadcasting, in which he oversaw 10 of its properties.

When he hit the Ozarks, the country was digging out of the Great Recession, so the challenge was significant. For instance, Nexstar had lost the local FOX affiliate.

In time, Henning enhanced sports programming across the company’s media outlets. KOLR 10 became the official broadcast partner of Missouri State Athletics and agreed to be the main source for Kansas City Chiefs coverage for three other Nexstar stations. He also brought back FOX KRBK TV in 2019.

To Henning, the Hall of Fame and PCCC helped pave the way to the success.

“For a newcomer, (the events) were tremendous networking opportunities,” Henning said. “From a purely selfish standpoint, it was a great investment for the TV stations, and we saw great returns.”

Henning also made certain that KOLR 10’s personalities became more involved in the community, including with Hall of Fame and PCCC events.

Overall, he saw himself like a music conductor leading an orchestra. Which came naturally.

You see, after graduating from Leo Catholic High School in Chicago, he became a classically trained musician while at Quincy University with goals to play for a symphony. Ultimately, after a series of part-time gigs in TV, radio and newspapers, he found his calling in media, with Quincy Media promoting him to his first GM role in 1996.

To him, his success is because of the woman he calls a “hero.” That’s Sue, his wife. They are parents to adult children Matthew and Jeanne.

“I can remember 10 to 15 years ago there were winter nights where we had events and she really didn’t want to go but she still stood by my side,” Henning said. “Without her, nothing could have ever happened.”

He also praised the entire crew at Nexstar’s Springfield media outlets, considering each staffer created an impactful farewell tour of sorts in the business.

“With Springfield, it was the most professionally and personally rewarding time in my career,” Henning said. “It was the most talented group of people at the station I’ve ever worked with. It was important work done by everyone in that building and, for whatever reason, they bought into what I was trying accomplish.”