Mike North

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Mike North has been a sports talk radio show host at WSCR "The Score 670" in Chicago since 1992. North is also the assistant varsity basketball coach at Notre Dame High School for Boys, located in Niles, Illinois.

North resides in Park Ridge, Illinois, a Northwest suburb of Chicago. He often refers to his house as "Pappy Land"; with a multi-television sports bar in his basement. His wife, Be-Be appears on his show frequently. North also often refers to his dog “Lucky”, a black lab mix from the Anti-Cruelty Society.

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[edit] History

Raised in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood, North's first real job was as a hot dog vendor at Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park in 1969. North served in the military had held several jobs with the City of Chicago until 1985, when North opened his own hot dog stand, named Be-Be's. Among North's frequent customers at Be-Be's was the staff of Diamond Broadcasting, owners of WXRT-FM and WSBC-AM. After suggesting the idea of a sports show to the Diamond management team, North launched the “NFL Handicap Show” on WSBC in 1990. North became one of the original WSCR personalities when The Score was launched by Diamond Broadcasting in 1992, teaming with Dan Jiggetts on The Monsters of the Midday show (a twist on the popular Chicago term, Monsters of the Midway.[1]

[edit] Radio Timeline

  • 1990- “NFL Handicap Show” on WSBC
  • 1992- WSCR was launched. North teamed with former Chicago Bear, Dan Jiggetts on The Monsters of the Midday show.
  • September 1999- North began hosting his own show, “The Mike North Show”, from 12-4pm Monday through Friday.
  • 2002- North teamed up with former Chicago Bear, Doug Buffone, and they soon became known as “The Wise Guys”.
  • August 2002- North signed a multi-year contract worth an estimated $1.5 million a year,[2] making him one of the highest paid radio personalities in Chicago.
  • September 2004, North agreed to host The Score's morning show to compete with rival WMVP's syndicated ESPN Radio morning show, Mike and Mike in the Morning. Until this move, North's shows had generally been broadcasted during mid-day or afternoon time slots.
  • Spring 2006 North called his own station while driving drunk.[3]

[edit] The Mike North Morning Show

North can be heard every weekday from 6am-10am with Fred Huebner on The Mike North Morning Show. The show's Executive Producer is Jen Patterson, John 'Rock' Mamola and Matt Weber are Associate Producers.

[edit] Segments

Jagbag of The Day- North calls-out an individual and discribes why he dislikes them or what about the individual he has an issue with. Thoughout his show, North often uses the term "jagbag" to label an individual whom he dislikes or has taken issue with.

Kudos of The Day- The opposite of Jagbag of The Day. North gives recognition to an individual that has done something North deems positive or has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Fred Huebner's Hip Hop Moment- Huebner recites the lyrics of a hip-hop or rap song in his normal reading voice.

[edit] Controversies

Calling Chicago Cubs Korean pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu a "Chinaman."[4]

Opining that Hispanic-American newscaster Antonio Mora could get better ratings if he wore a sombrero during his newscasts.

On May 18, 2007, North engaged in a much-publicized argument with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén during his show, in which Guillen frequently cursed at North before hanging up on him.[5]

[edit] Outside of WSCR

North has released a CD, Caucasian Man, with music and interview highlights.

North had an acting role in the movie Eden Court. In spite of being complete for a year, the film has only been screened at obscure festivals and has not secured commercial distribution.[citation needed]

North has appeared on WBBM-TV, WMAQ-TV and WFLD-TV, and is frequently a featured guest on and occasionally the guest host of Comcast SportsNet Chicago's "Chicago Tribune Live" show.

ESPN's "Top Five Reasons You Can't Blame Steve Bartman for the 2003 Chicago Cubs' Collapse."

North appeared in the slot formerly filled by Imus in the Morning on WFAN May 29 and 30, 2007.

[edit] Awards

  • Achievement in Radio Award (four times)
  • 1996 Radio Broadcaster of the Year
  • Best Midday Show in Chicago
  • 1997 Best Sports Show (North and Dan Jiggetts)
  • 1999 Softball Hall of Fame Man of the Year
  • 2002 Best Talent on a News, Talk, Personality, or Sports Station
  • 2004 Ellis Island Medal of Honor
  • 2005 Telly Award for a commercial that he did for the Score
  • 2 Chicago Emmy Awards
  • Special Children’s Charities Entertainer of the Year Award
  • Irv Kupcinet Award
  • Richard J. Daley Award by the Red Cloud Athletic Fund
  • Silver Circle Award from The National Conference for Community and Justice of Chicago and Greater Illinois
  • 2006 Inductee into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame- the first radio broadcaster ever to be inducted
  • 2006 Media Excellence Award from the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

[edit] External links