Late broadcaster honored for decades of service

CLARKSVILLE - The Clarksville School District held a special ceremony Friday night to honor the memory of longtime River Valley sportscaster Steve Rinke for his years of service to their community.

Rinke was a Clarksville native, who worked for over two decades with stations KLYR and KXIO before moving to Fort Smith in 2004. During his time in Johnson County he served as the play-by-play voice of the Clarksville Panthers, and would later join 1230 KFPW to become the play-by-play voice of the Southside Rebels football and basketball teams for seven seasons. In addition to his sports play-by-play duties, he hosted a morning show on Cool 104.7

In a shock to the broadcast community, Rinke died of a sudden heart attack at the Fort Smith Radio Group studios in 2011.

Accepting the plaque on behalf of his family was his son Connor Rinke. According to Clarksville High School Athletic Director Michael Banning, it will hang in the football field press box.