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Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Discussion pertaining to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, and Michiana
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dwp49423
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:46 pm
Location: West Michigan

Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by dwp49423 »

Brent Ashcroft posted the following earlier today to his Facebook page:
LIFE UPDATE
2022 will be the beginning of a new chapter for me. My contract is up at WZZM and I have chosen not to re-sign.

My last day at the station will be Thursday, December 23.

It would be impossible for me to thank everybody I have encountered or worked with over my 31 years in the TV News industry. I've made many friends for life and for that I am grateful.

I think I'm most proud of reinventing myself from being a full-time sports guy to a full-time storyteller.

Starting in January, I will be joining my friend Ben Soldaat working for ‘Grand Rapids Coins,’ which is a national and international buyer and seller of coin collections and precious metals. We will be opening a storefront in Rockford soon after the new year begins!

SHAMELESS PLUG: If you possess some old coins, or know somebody who does, look no further!

All best,
Brent Ashcroft
I remember him best as the first sports anchor at Fox 17.
---
Scripps Community News: Take Away the Anchors and People Will Tune to Another Station
Sholmes
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 4:33 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by Sholmes »

I wonder when Jueliett will be announcing her departure. They already replaced Brett with Montgomery as the storey teller

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Pot it up
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:39 pm
Location: Grand Rapids

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by Pot it up »

More likely that Nick would depart next. Brent's departure leaves a H*** hole at 13.
Blister
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 9:54 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by Blister »

[quote="Pot it up" post_id=685255 time=1638197470 user_id=842]
More likely that Nick would depart next. Brent's departure leaves a H*** hole at 13.
[/quote]

Hardly.
Jon Mills does a great job on the Lakeshore. Other than that ZZM’s reporting has been the weakest in the market since Peter Ross left.
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48125er
Posts: 375
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:50 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by 48125er »

Sholmes wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 8:05 pm I wonder when Jueliett will be announcing her departure. They already replaced Brett with Montgomery as the storey teller

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Will Kirk become a host on an NPR show soon?
inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by inmyopinion »

Pot it up wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:51 am More likely that Nick would depart next. Brent's departure leaves a H*** hole at 13.
Yes, Nick is leaving. Isn't that common knowledge at this point? Gone in December.
MasterB
Posts: 1600
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:59 pm
Location: Kalamazoo

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by MasterB »

All the best to Brent Ascroft as I remember him more being Fox17 sports anchor when Fox17 News At 10 debuted in 99, I think there was another sports anchor at first only lasted for a couple of weeks at Fox17 then was never heard from again LOL.
Go Pistons, Let's Go Redwings.
Sholmes
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 4:33 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by Sholmes »

inmyopinion wrote:
Pot it up wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:51 am More likely that Nick would depart next. Brent's departure leaves a H*** hole at 13.
Yes, Nick is leaving. Isn't that common knowledge at this point? Gone in December.
Are they getting rid of the guys tied to the Shannon Grove issue?

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BirdieKingBobo
Posts: 178
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:34 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by BirdieKingBobo »

I just found out that Lee Van What's his face passed away two years ago... Seriously, where have I been??? Oh... outside of the area.
If you ever get a chance, there is a video of Kirk Montgomery skiing when he was at KUSA in Denver back about 10 years ago... It is hilarious.. And Mr. Montgomery was a great sport about it. A good guy.
Good Luck to Brent... He's put a lot of time in and hasn't been treated very well in the past.
chuck1973
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by chuck1973 »

Asscroft got shafted from TV-17 years ago, after literally building that team (they did the same to Chan). Hopefully not the case again. Apparently he's either retiring or the coin adventure will be more lucrative than TV-13. Best of luck, Brent.
inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by inmyopinion »

chuck1973 wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:43 pm Asscroft got shafted from TV-17 years ago, after literally building that team (they did the same to Chan). Hopefully not the case again. Apparently he's either retiring or the coin adventure will be more lucrative than TV-13. Best of luck, Brent.
Honest Q, every time someone known in this market leaves, why do people (like the above) bring up $ or "the shaft"? It shouldn't be hard to comprehend that for many people, it's simply about getting some type of normal life. Look no further than Larry F's post, working nights, (or early mornings) weekends, holidays, etc. This biz really doesn't offer a good shift and believe it or not, sometimes, even when making good $$, it makes more sense to bail on this business that ain't changing its hours.
whitebalance
Posts: 230
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:46 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by whitebalance »

13 has been a mess since Price Communications bought it years ago. It never recovered from the great West Michigan Telecasters days. Revolving door.
inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by inmyopinion »

whitebalance wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:34 pm 13 has been a mess since Price Communications bought it years ago. It never recovered from the great West Michigan Telecasters days. Revolving door.
While you're not wrong about 13, aren't most stations these days a revolving door? I know most on here think WOOD walks on water, but even they have seen several people bail of late. The industry simply isn't what it once was (too many other ways to get information, fake or real for that matter) so the glitz of it has clearly worn off to the point that it's hard to justify working crappy hours any longer for anyone above their 30's.
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Big-D
Posts: 57
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:18 am
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Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by Big-D »

whitebalance wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:34 pm 13 has been a mess since Price Communications bought it years ago. It never recovered from the great West Michigan Telecasters days. Revolving door.
I hope Bob Price is roasting in hell.
Southpaws airs Saturday nights at 11:00 on Global Community Radio Channel 1; weekly on Pacifica Radio affiliates KCEI-FM 90.1, Taos, NM; KZGM-FM 88.1, Cabool, MO; KEPJ-LP in San Antonio, TX. Available on Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, & Pandora.
BayCityJohn2337
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2020 8:36 pm

Re: Brent Ashcroft leaving WZZM

Unread post by BayCityJohn2337 »

I remember the good ole days when it was Brent Ashcroft and Michele Deselms. Didn't they launch together on Fox 17 back in the late 90s together?
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