KWQC Sports Director Thom Cornelis To Retire

Tom Cornelis, the longtime sports director at NBC affiliate KWQC Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill. (DMA 100), announced on the air that he will retire on Sept. 16.

A Quad City native, Cornelis graduated from Western Illinois University in 1971. After 12 years at the local ABC affiliate he began his career with KWQC (then WOC) in 1984 where he became the station’s sports director. He has won numerous awards for broadcasting excellence and was inducted into the Quad-City Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Upon retirement he will have completed 44 years in Quad City radio and TV.

“Thom has been a part of so many lives over his 30 years at KWQC,” said News Director Rich Kurz. “We’ll deeply miss his expertise and the dedication to local sports he’s demonstrated over that time. Thom has been such an integral part of major events like the John Deere Classic and Bix 7. We hope he will continue to be a part of special events at KWQC for years to come.”

KWQC General Manager Ken Freedman said: “It is a real honor to have an industry pioneer like Thom Cornelis at the station. His experience, professionalism and passion for sports are unmatched. He will be missed at the station and on-air. I wish him nothing but the best as he moves into a new chapter of his life.”