Brad Pautsch, KTIV’s long-time Sports Director, passes away

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – It is with great sadness that we announce that KTIV’s long-time Sports Director, Brad Pautsch, has died.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, Brad passed away at the age of 58.

Back in March 2021, Brad underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his brain. And after his surgery, Brad suffered a stroke, which caused his cluttered speech. He made it through the seven-hour procedure, five rounds of chemotherapy, and stem cell treatments at the Mayo Clinic. Eventually, Brad was able to return to the sidelines and help the SportsFource team with their gameday coverage.

But, in August of this year, Brad’s wife, Sally, noticed Brad’s balance was off and he had fallen a few times. Still, in September, Brad was able to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to see his oldest son Joe get married. Shortly afterward, an MRI showed a new tumor in an area of Brad’s brain that was hard to reach. After this, Brad decided to enter hospice.

Brad is survived by his wife Sally, and his three children, Joseph, Mary and Reggie.

Do you have a memory of Brad Pautsch during his many years at KTIV? If so, you can share your memories of Brad here.

Brad’s Legacy at KTIV

“When I was in high school, someone would have said, ‘Hey, you could work at KTIV for 30 years, and talk about sports the whole time’… I’d take that deal!” said Brad during an interview back in 2022.

Brad was a sports anchor with KTIV since May 1990 and became the Sports Director in 1996. In his many years of dedicated service, Brad won several awards at KTIV, including “Best Sportscast” in 2004, 2012 and 2013 from the Iowa Broadcast News Association and 1st place for “Sports Reporting” in 2007 from the IBNA for his series on the Crestland Cadets football team. He won best sports “Play by Play” from the IBNA in 2004, 2009 and 2010.

“I knew where the gyms were in the school,” said Brad in a previous interview. “I know where the football fields were in the town when I went there. But, then when I started working at a TV station, I just, I loved the video aspect of it, putting a story together and then putting the video to it.”

Brad’s talents took him to the pinnacle of professional sports. From Super Bowl LII, in Minneapolis, in 2018. To the 2015 NFL Draft, in Chicago, to watch Denison-native Brandon Scherff fulfill a lifelong dream. To New York City, and the 2003 NBA Draft, where the Chicago Bulls drafted Sioux City’s Kirk Hinrich. He even took part in the 2002 Olympic Games, in Salt Lake City. Brad was a torch bearer for one leg of the relay in Kansas.

“Going to the NBA Draft, going to the NFL Draft, going to the Super Bowl in 2018 I never thought I’d go to a Super Bowl,” said Brad. “Yeah, I have to pinch myself sometimes, and never thought it would happen.”

Siouxland is a better place because of Brad’s life, and KTIV is a better place because of his work ethic and dedication. Brad Pautsch, the boy from Early, Iowa, who became the Sports Anchor legend of Siouxland.

“People have been very gracious when I’ve been here,” said Brad. “I’ve met so many people that I consider lifelong friends, coaches, players, other broadcasters.”

”It is said ‘we are measured by the footprints we leave behind, the courses we chart, and the examples we set for others to follow,’” said Matt Breen, KTIV News Anchor.

“That means Brad’s spirit lives on in all of the athletes he has covered, the fields and stadiums he visited, and the loyal viewers he had, and met,” said Kieth Bliven, KTIV’s Director of Operations.

“I really like what I’m doing, and it’s made my life better, because I enjoy going to work each day and I enjoy doing what I’m doing,” said Brad.

Thank you, Brad, for everything you’ve done during your decades of service to Siouxland. You will be greatly missed.

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