The Voice of Douglas: A Conversation with Hall of Famer Dennis Switzer
If you’ve lived in Converse County for more than five minutes, you know his voice. Whether he’s calling a nail-biter Bearcat game or keeping you company on your morning commute via KKTY, Dennis Switzer is the undisputed heartbeat of Douglas athletics.
But while we all know the “Voice of Douglas,” I wanted to sit down and talk to the man behind the microphone on this episode of Converse County Conversations. I wanted to hear the stories that shaped him, the entrepreneurship that built a local media staple, and the heart that makes him such a pillar of our community.
Check out the video below to see the whole interview:
A Poignant Time Capsule of Family Pride
It’s important to share that Dennis and I sat down for this conversation last Fall. Since we recorded this episode, our community has mourned alongside the Switzer family following the heartbreaking loss of Dennis and Vickie’s youngest son, Paul Switzer.
As you listen to our chat, you’ll hear the unmistakable warmth in Dennis’s voice when the subject turns to his family. It is a beautiful, bittersweet reminder of just how much his wife, Vickie, and their children mean to him. Paul was a source of immense pride for his parents, and that legacy of love is woven into every story Dennis tells. We share this episode today with the deepest respect for the Switzers, honoring the man Dennis is and the family he and Vickie have built right here in Converse County.
Turning the Mic Around
How does a local broadcaster become a “historian of our daily lives”? For Dennis, it wasn’t just about the equipment or the airwaves—it was about a commitment to the people of Wyoming.
Recently inducted into the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Dennis has spent a career capturing our triumphs and trials. In this episode, we “turn the mic around” to explore the moments that made him:
The Early Days of KKTY: The grit it took to build a radio legacy from the ground up.
Small Town “Fame”: What it’s really like when your voice is recognized in every aisle of the grocery store (Timestamp: 16:20).
The Weight of the Message: The unique responsibility of being the person the town turns to during big events and local milestones.
Why Local Radio Still Matters in a Digital World
In an era of endless streaming, Dennis makes a powerful case for why small-town radio is more relevant than ever. It’s about more than music or scores; it’s about connection. When the wind howls across the plains or the Bearcats are headed to state, we don’t turn to a national playlist—we turn to Dennis.
He shares his favorite memories from the sidelines and his “one piece of advice” for the next generation of Converse County residents (Timestamp: 25:00).
Join the Conversation: Let’s Honor the "Voice of Douglas"
Dennis Switzer is more than just a broadcaster; he is a local historian, a mentor, and a true pillar of Converse County. Whether you’ve listened to him on your morning commute for years or cheered along as he called a legendary Bearcat victory, we want to hear from you.
What is your favorite memory of hearing Dennis on the air? How has his presence on the radio impacted your connection to our community? Please, leave a comment on the YouTube video and join us in celebrating a lifetime of local leadership. We want this blog post and video to serve as a digital “thank you” to Dennis and his family for everything they have given to our town and our neighbors.
If you know a local legend whose legacy deserves a spotlight, please reach out. Let’s work together to make sure the stories of Douglas and Glenrock are recorded, celebrated, and shared for years to come.
