101 ESPN Contest Winner, Ballwin Native Starts New Radio Show Sunday

After a few weeks of studying up, a Lindenwood University junior is ready to step up to the microphone this weekend. Ballwin native, Brett McMillan, who beat out 175 competitors in a contest last month to see who would earn a one year contract to become the next host at Creve Coeur-based 101 ESPN, will hit the airwaves for the first time Sunday, starting at 6 a.m.

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Since he was selected, McMillan said he's been working with Program Director Chris Neupert and has sat in with hosts to try and pick up the station's culture. He singled out Fast Lane co-host Randy Karraker, a Lindenwood graduate, for his help.

Although McMillan grew up in Ballwin, he moved with his family to Portland before returning to the area and attending O'Fallon Christian High School.

"I love radio. I always have. You never get a bill for radio," McMillan, a broadcast journalism major said. He's embracing the work ahead with a seriousness he would in a school assignment. "It's exciting. This is real life. This isn't playing," he said.

McMillan said he expects the show to focus on the station's local staples--Cardinals, Blues, Rams. He wouldn't tip his hand at an ideal guest for show, but said he'd look to tap into the station's stable of "Insiders" who cover those teams on a regular basis. The station has moved away from taking phone calls on the air from listeners generally, opting for texts and Google voicemails, tools McMillan said he would embrace.

As for what lies ahead, he won't let himself think about if this could segue into a position that will last after a year.

"I'm young, and there's a long way to go," McMillan said.