John Rendleman to pass WWAY Sports torch to Dustin Dorsey

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After spending most of the last decade leading WWAY’s award-winning sports coverage, John Rendleman is moving on.

In addition to the last 9+ years, John also worked at WWAY in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In between he had other jobs in TV, business and education.

“I started at WWAY in 1989 as the weekend sports anchor,” John said. “Gene Motley was the sports director at the time. I will always cherish my time with Gene.  He will likely be inducted into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame in the near future. Keep in mind two of the best aren’t in it: Michael Jordan and Gene Motley. I never envisioned filling Gene’s shoes several years later as the main sports anchor at WWAY, but an opportunity to return to WWAY occurred in 2008, and I couldn’t say no.”

John Rendleman and Trot Nixon hosted WWAY’s “5th Quarter” from 2010 through 2016. (Photo: WWAY)

During his time at WWAY, John has won several awards, including Best Sports Reporting, Best Sportscast and Best Sports Special. John has also won awards for his news reporting, and has long shown his versatility through his regular contributions to the news side of WWAY, including everything from Hurricane Matthew to his monthly series years ago on New Hanover County Dangerous Dog Appeals Court. He’s been joined in his on-air work by co-hosts like World Series champ Trot Nixon, UNCW legend Brett Blizzard, NC Sports Hall of Famer Chasity Melvin and more.

“It’s funny that most of the sports stories that I cover involve teamwork. Some schools are better at it than others, but I can’t stress enough how much of a team effort it takes on a daily basis to put our product on the news each night,” John said. “There are so many working and floating parts, and somehow it comes together when it’s time to go on TV, but without master control, production, engineering, sales and everyone else in the news department doing their part it would never happen.”

John’s coworkers know he’s been a key part of the team.

“Probably the best thing about working with John is that you rarely if ever had to worry about him,” WWAY News Director Kevin Wuzzardo, who has worked with John since 2008, said. “You knew he was going to give it his all, whether it was putting together ‘5th Quarter‘ or ‘Full Court Press,’ covering a regular night of sports or helping cover breaking news when no one else was available and so much more. John has done some of the most memorable stories we’ve ever aired. And his network of contacts around the region is invaluable.”

Next up for John is a move to Charlotte. His last day on-air at WWAY will be Thursday.

“I honestly believe WWAY is part of my DNA. I’ve somehow been a four-decade employee here, but it’s time to move on. I believe the timing is right. I hope the timing is right, but it may be a while before I honestly know the answer to that. I don’t know where I’ll be working yet, but I’ll certainly listen to any and all suggestions and job offers, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in TV,” John said. “It hasn’t been an easy decision to leave WWAY. I will truly miss leading the Team of the Week chants, putting those stories together, and seeing a lot of the coaches and players that I see on a consistent basis. Can’t fail to mention the fans. There are so many people that I walk past en route to the court or the field that always have a friendly wave or something nice to say as I enter or leave an event. I can’t tell you how proud I am to work at WWAY, but it’s time to move on.”

Dustin Dorsey and John Rendleman cover the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship in North Charleston, SC, on March 6, 2017. (Photo: WWAY)

Succeeding John as sports anchor/reporter will be no small task, but Dustin Dorsey is ready to take on the challenge. Dustin joined WWAY as a news reporter last fall, but his experience and passion is in sports. Since joining the team, Dustin has been a regular part of “5th Quarter” and “Full Court Press.” He also joined John in covering the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship last month and traveled to Orlando to cover UNCW basketball in the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m so excited to be the next WWAY sports anchor,” Dustin said. “I have not been in North Carolina for long, but I know how important sports are here, and I’m looking forward to being able to follow all the local teams and athletes. It has been my dream to be a sports anchor since I was a senior in high school. I couldn’t be where I am today without the help and guidance of John Rendleman. He allowed me to learn under his leadership and taught me what it’s like to be a sports anchor. He has been an icon in the sports community for years, and nothing will make me happier than trying to continue his legacy while living my dream.”