Peoria’s WMBD TV Sports Director Kurt Pegler was honored with his IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award on Friday, March 8, 2019, at Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Renaissance Coliseum was hosting the IHSA Class 3A Boys Basketball Sectional Final between Peoria’s Notre Dame High School and Peoria’s Manual High School.

Pegler’s presentation occurred at halftime of the contest, where he was joined by family, friends and co-workers. IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson and administrators from each of the Mid-Illini Conference (Canton, Dunlap, East Peoria, Limestone, Metamora, Morton, Pekin, Washington) high schools were on-hand to present Pegler with his plaque, as the entire league had jointly nominated him for the accolade.

After receiving his award, Pegler addressed the near capacity crowd before the start of the second half.

Pegler started the day with the tweet above encapsulating the full circle nature of his career, while social media exploded that evening with praise for Pegler and his career, which began at WMBD in 1987.