R.I.P.: KKXL Grand Forks Host Scott Swygman

Scott Swygman

The longtime radio voice of University of North Dakota sports and KKXL 1440 AM The Fan morning host Scott Swygman has died from cancer.

He was 59-years-of-age, according to the Grand Forks Herald.

He knew how to put listeners in the moment, never sugarcoating plays, said Tim Hennessy, a close friend and co-host with Swygman on the "Tim & Swyg in the Morning" show on 1440 AM-The Fan.

"He had a unique ability to do that; where listeners knew what was going on, and they knew exactly what was going on, whether it was good or bad," Hennessy said. "If the home team was not playing well, you knew that they weren't playing well."

Behind what Hennessy called the gruff exterior of Swygman was a heart of gold, one that will be missed by listeners across the region.

He grew up in Hopkins, Minn., before attending UND as a football player. After that, he started his career in radio, calling UND games from 1980 to 2009. He sometimes called football and men's hockey, but he was known best for his play-by-play voice for men's and women's basketball.

On his radio show, he gave the impression he was a "grumpy, old man," Hennessy said, joking. But what most people remembered him for was his honesty, whether it was for calling games or giving opinions.

"The thing that was most impressive about Swyg was you knew where you stood with him," he said. "He was honest, brutally honest at times, but you knew where you stood."

That gruffness didn't carry over off the air, Hennessy said, adding Swygman was kind, loving and generous. The radio show host was there when people needed him, Hennessy said, adding Swygman always was willing to lend a helping hand. He even worked as a bartender at UND hockey games.

Community members rallied behind Swygman when they learned he had cancer. An Aug. 4 benefit for him raised thousands of dollars to help with medical expenses.