Fargo Radio: Dan Hammer To Exit KFGO-AM

Dan Hammer

A well-known radio voice and longtime sportscaster in the Red River Valley will be hanging up the headphones and heading in a different direction — west.

Tallh host Dan Hammer, 58, will be signing off from his 2 to 5 p.m. time slot at KFGO 790 AM early next week, the radio station's operations manager Joel Heitkamp confirmed Wednesday, July 20.

According to inforum.com, Hammer also made the announcement on his show Wednesday, saying, "It's an opportunity for me to realize something that is very personal to me. It is for the most personal reason I am making this decision." His last day will be Tuesday, July 26.

Hammer will be moving to Minot and out of the broadcasting business, Heitkamp said.

"We're disappointed and yet happy," Heitkamp said of Hammer's decision. "He's moving a different direction in his life, away from broadcast, and in a place that he's incredibly happy. What better can you get than see a friend be happy?"

Hammer was hired last December for the radio slot, leaving Midco Sports Network and his position calling University of North Dakota men's hockey games. He filled the position at KFGO held by Mike McFeely, who left to become a columnist for The Forum and radio host for WDAY-AM 970.

It wasn't Hammer's first stint at KFGO. He previously spent four years there and at its sister station 740 The Fan.

"Dan came back to work with us when we asked him to and he did a fabulous job," said Heitkamp, who is also well-known to radio listeners with his "News & Views" program from 8:30 to 11 a.m. weekdays.