In a heartfelt ceremony last week, the City of Winslow renamed a portion of Cherry Street between Colorado Avenue and Pope Avenue in honor of longtime Winslow broadcaster Loy Engelhardt. Mayor Birdie Cano began the ceremony with a few words about how much Englehardt has meant to the people of Winslow, saying, “You can’t say you’re a sports fan and a bulldog if you’re not very familiar with Loy’s distinct voice.”
Engelhardt has been in radio for over 50 years and is the owner of Winslow’s radio station, KINO. Engelhardt has become the “Voice of the Winslow Dawgs” through his play-by-play broadcasts of thousands of games over the course of his career, dazzling in-person audiences and allowing parents, family and the community to be a part of the action even when they can’t make it to the games.
Through the decades, Engelhardt has remained dedicated to providing Winslow and the surrounding community with multiple local newscasts daily, including coverage of Winslow City Council meetings and other significant happenings in the city. KINO has employed more than 200 Winslow High School graduates, many of whom he remains in contact with today.
In 2019, Engelhardt was inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame, an honor that is well-deserved for his dedication and contribution to the broadcasting industry. Longtime Winslow baseball coach Art Griffith, a good friend of Engelhardt’s, spoke at the ceremony, telling stories gathered over decades of riding together to ball games all over the state of Arizona.
Engelhardt himself also spoke at the ceremony, thanking everyone, including his family and the community of Winslow. The renaming ceremony was attended by many members of the community, including former Winslow High School athletes and coaches who have worked with Engelhardt over the years. His dedication to his job and his community has left a lasting impact on Winslow.
As Winslow moves forward, it is important to remember the contributions of people like Loy Engelhardt, who have dedicated their lives to serving their community. His passion for broadcasting and his commitment to the Winslow community serve as an inspiration to others, and his legacy will continue to live on for years to come.
