Don Olson

Don Olson began his love for broadcasting while he was still a child spinning records in his room. He would hang out a W.C.U.E. radio in the mid 70’s picking up whatever he could about the business.

 His journalism career started as a sports writer at The Falls News while a junior in high school at the age of 17.

 Don became the “Voice of the Zips” in 1979. Don’s broadcasting career began at the University of Akron’s campus station, W.Z.I.P., then W.A.U.P.

 He obtained his first commercial broadcasting  job as a disc jockey, news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and reporter at W.N.I.R., then W.K.N.T. A.M. & F.M. while still a sophomore at the University of Akron. Don rose to major-market radio at 1220/W.G.A.R. in Cleveland at the age of 22 in 1982. His first assignment was serving as “Wolfman Jack’s” newsman on Saturday nights. Don worked as a news reporter/anchor at six radio stations in Cleveland , Akron and Anderson , Indiana before obtaining his first TV job at W.J.W. in 1984 at the age of 24. After spending nearly two years in the I-Team, he reestablished the W.J.W.-TV Akron Bureau in 1986, serving as Akron Bureau Chief for the next eleven years. Don has been a tireless advocate for Cleveland television stations to cover Akron news. Don has made many appearances on national television and broke the story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer being from the area.

 By the age of 26 he was already a four-time Emmy Award winner and had been nominated eleven times. He has won numerous Cleveland Press Club and United Press International awards and has worked on behalf of many community organizations including the D.A.R.E. program of Akron and Fairlawn, Multiple Sclerosis, OPEN-M food pantry, Shoes and Clothes for Kids and the American Heart Association.