FOX 26 Houston introduces new sports director Will Kunkel

Former FOX 26 Houston sports director Mark Berman officially has a replacement following his retirement in June. Susan Schiller, vice president and news director of FOX 26, announced that starting in September, Will Kunkel will lead all of the station’s sports coverage and serve as sports anchor for the evening newscasts alongside Anthony Antoine, Caroline Collins, and Rashi Vats.

“FOX 26 has a legacy of providing Houstonians with the very best sports coverage, from high school athletics through the pros,” Schiller said in a statement on Monday. “Will is prepared to use his unique abilities to build upon that strength and provide our viewers with the in-depth coverage they demand, both on-air and across our digital platforms.” 

Most recently, Kunkel served as sports director for WJZY in Charlotte, NC, where he hosted various sports programs. Prior to that, he was lead sports anchor for KWCH in Wichita, Kan.; a sports director for WNWO in Toledo, Ohio; and a sports anchor and reporter for KVRR in Fargo, ND. He kicked off his career in broadcast journalism as a production assistant at ESPN.

Kunkel holds a Masters of Science in journalism and broadcasting from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University. Currently, Kunkel hosts the podcast A Relatable Journey, which features conversations with professional athletes about their life journey, struggles and relationship with God.

“I am thrilled to join FOX 26, a powerhouse station in one of the most passionate sports towns in America,” Kunkel said in a statement. “I intend to deliver that same level of passion to the fans by working with my talented team to provide innovative, entertaining, and informative coverage while continuing to be the leader in breaking sports news.” 

The announcement of Kunkel’s hiring comes nearly two months after Berman’s last day on the channel. He officially retired on June 12 after nearly four decades of working at the station. Berman took to Twitter to congratulate Kunkel on his new role. “Welcome to Houston,” Berman wrote. “Best of luck covering sports for FOX 26 Houston.”