Scott “Alan” McIlrath, age 59, was pronounced dead at the scene in eastern McLean County, Illinois on Monday evening in a two car crash on his way to start his new position as Vice President of Operations for the Bloomington Bison Hockey Team in Illinois. Yesterday would have been his first day in that new position.
Scott “Alan” McIlrath was a part of the 50,000 Watt WSHW Shine 99 radio experience for years. Scott brought his witty, wacky quick sense of humor to mornings on Shine 99 for nearly three decades. Scott served advertisers and listeners for Kaspar Broadcasting Co., Inc. from October 18, 1993 until April 30, 2023.
1964-2024
Scott’s gifted, unique, engaging and entertaining sense of humor served him well as MC/announcer for the Indy Fuel Hockey Team, Indianapolis Indians Baseball Team and Indy Eleven Soccer team in Indianapolis. Scott was also a key Account Rep for Kaspar Broadcasting Co., Inc. and served as Kokomo Manager for WSHW’s presence in Howard, Tipton, Cass and Miami Counties.
Scott anchored the Shine 99 morning show with Cindy Loveless for several years until April 30th, 2023 when WSHW Shine 99 was transferred to Olivet Nazarene University.
Scott graduated from Butler University in May 1986 with a degree in Radio and Television. Scott worked for KYMC in St. Louis, WAJC and WTPI in Indianapolis before going to WASK in Lafayette, Indiana as an afternoon newscaster and County Government reporter. Scott also served as a fill-in host for WASK’s local talk show and did local sports reporting for the Lafayette area. In August 1988 McIlrath became the afternoon drive personality at WZWZ in Kokomo. He was soon appointed music director and then promoted to WZWZ Program Director in April 1989. McIlrath was promoted to Operations Manager for WZWZ and WIOU in October 1989. Scott was with the WIOU/WZWZ stations in Kokomo for over 4 years. After a 9 month stint at WAZY as mid-day jock and music director for 50,000 Watt WAZY in Lafayette, Scott joined the Shine 99 Kaspar Broadcasting organization in October of 1993 as an account representative. Scott soon augmented his sales talents to include a Shine 99 on-air presence at remotes, commercial writing/voice content and the popular Shine 99 morning show by the mid 1990’s. McIlrath remained with Kaspar Media for almost 30 years.
It is with sadness and respect the Kaspar Media family marks the passing of this talented radio personality and team member who was a part of the Kaspar Broadcasting fabric for three decades.
Kaspar Media Station Manager and Shine 99 morning Co-host Cindy Loveless said:
“Scott’s personality was as big as his heart and will be missed by so many, including myself. He was a dear, dear friend. Please pray his daughter and family. Scott would say ‘the show must go on’ and so it will. He would end his radio show every day by saying ‘Share some love today’.”
Scott and Cindy had a special chemistry with each other and with the audience they entertained and informed every morning for years. Scott was the off-the-wall wise guy and Cindy tried to keep him on track. The dramatic tension during those morning show years on Shine 99 was hilarious, unpredictable and always entertaining.
Kaspar Media CEO Russ Kaspar is appreciative of the many years Scott was a part of the organization and considered Scott to be a rare talent that became a memorable part of the lives of tens of thousands of listeners and a trusted advisor for hundreds of businesses he helped over the years. “He will be missed…by us and many, many who knew him.”