Mark Ovenden

Mark grew up in Boston as a huge sports fan, broadcasting the games that were played in the yard/driveway. So broadcasting was a natural choice and he's loved every minute of it!

His professional career started in Richmond, VA where he was a journalism major at the University of Richmond. Mark was hired as the weekend sports anchor at WTVR in his senior year. Then it was on to Rockford, IL as Sports Director for WIFR before moving to Sioux Falls in 1978 for a quick 2-year stay at KSFY. The chance to do radio play-by-play was what him to South Dakota since that was what he really wanted to do career-wise. After 9 years at KSFY, Mark started an advertising agency and eventually worked at all 3 stations in Sioux Falls, with the final 24 at KDLT as Sports Director. He is also the co-host of Calling All Sports, a daily radio show heard on numerous stations throughout the region.

Needless to say, this has become home and a great place to raise his 3 sons (Ryan, Nick, and Nate) and now he's the proud grandpa to 10 grandchildren (5 boys, 5 girls) and luckily they are all living in this area.

Mark loves what he does covering local and regional sports on a nightly basis and has had the good fortune to work with many great people during his time in South Dakota. And the stories that he has covered and people that he's met, as a result, have made this a very rewarding and enjoyable profession after all. "It's fortunate when your job is something you are passionate about," says the Sports Director of Dakota News Now. During his time in South Dakota, Mark has been named Sportscaster of the Year by the SD Coaches Association, won numerous Sportscasts of the Year, received the Distinguished Service Award from the SDHSAA, was recognized by the SD Volleyball Coaches Association, and received the prestigious Tom Brokaw Award.