12/11/2023
This story focuses on a beloved local personality, and a man I (Connie Scott) personally admired very much. Charles Oliver wrote a touching commentary for the Daily Citizen News earlier this week that I’ll now share, in part… For three decades, Rick Zeisig was the voice of the Dalton High School Catamounts, announcing every home football game. Zeisig took over the role in 1992 when his own eighth-grade science teacher and football coach, Ray Broadrick, retired. In a 2022 interview, Zeisig said that Dr. John McMillian, principal of Dalton High School at the time, contacted him a year ahead of time and asked Rick to go behind Broadrick, learn his routine, and get ready to become the voice the following year… So, he did; and he did it well… Zeisig, 61, passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer…. Former DHS principal Steve Bartoo said you couldn't find anybody better to serve as the press box announcer; and that the crowd responded to Rick - who seemed to really, really enjoy the assignment. Bartoo said Zeisig brought energy and enthusiasm to everything he did.Zeisig worked at radio stations in Dalton, Atlanta and Chattanooga for more than 40 years and was the disc jockey for Dalton's Walk to End Alzheimer’s most years starting in 1994. In 2022, Zeisig was recognized as a Hometown Hero by the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter and the Modern Woodmen of America for his efforts. Zeisig was in the sixth grade when he decided he wanted a career in radio. Rich Phillips, another Dalton broadcasting legend, first met Zeisig in 1976. Phillips said he was living in Dalton and working at WFLI Jet Fly Radio in Chattanooga as a deejay… Rick was about 14 years old and stopped Phillips at Bryman Plaza and said that his scout troop listened to Phillips at boy scout camp. Zeisig wanted to be a deejay and asked Phillips how to get started. Some 40 years later, they would become co-workers at Dalton's North Georgia Radio Group. Zeisig landed his first job in broadcasting during his junior year in high school. Zeisig said in a 2020 interview that local radio personality Jeanne Burr helped him get his first job in radio. Rick was friends with Burr’s son - Jeff - another hometown hero - and Rick helped Jeff with his movies. One day Rick was over at the Burr home and Jeanne told him there was an opening at the radio station and she felt Rick would be perfect for it. That’s how he got on radio. Phillips said Zeisig loved radio and he was always “on,” never lacking for words and was truly interested in everything. He never met a stranger. His quick mind made for a good interview when conducting the interview on air. His skills as an interviewer carried over into his personal life. He had the ability to draw people in to the conversation. He loved people. He was an inspiration to many people, even through his illness. His 'never give up' attitude helped so many people, Phillips said. Zeisig studied communications at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He won numerous awards, including three awards from the Cable Television Association of Georgia for Best Local Show in the state. Zeisig was also the inaugural winner of the Cable Television Association of Georgia Award for community service in the North Georgia area. Zeisig was selected as the Best Local DJ in the Dalton Daily Citizen's first Best of Northwest Georgia edition. In 2003, the Dalton City Council proclaimed a Rick Zeisig Day in honor of his accomplishments in broadcasting and his contributions to the community. Memorial services for Zeisig were held on Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Rest in peace, Rick - it was an honor to know you.
