Paul J Schneider to Officially Retire from KBOI/Boise

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, December 13, 2018

Paul J Schneider

After 51 years of awaking up the Treasure Valley, KBOI (News/Talk 670)/Boise, ID, morning host Paul J Schneider has decided to sleep in. His final regular morning broadcast will be on Friday, December 14. Paul J plans to produce weekly features and blog for KBOI as well as continue covering Boise State Football for Learfield Sports.

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, who has been a frequent guest on Paul J's shows as a state legislator, Congressman, Lt. Governor and Governor, said, "I have appreciated Paul J Schneider's wit and wisdom as a mainstay on KBOI for almost my entire career in government. I have enjoyed waking to his commentary and his thought provoking analysis of the day's most pressing issues. I always looked forward to hearing his play-by-play calling duties for so many years as the 'Voice of the Broncos.' I especially appreciated his counsel and the great friendship we have developed over the years."

Paul J moved to Boise and started his career at 670 KBOI in June of 1967, shifting exclusively to radio in 1976. During the early years, he anchored the TV news and voiced the television replay of BSU football. From there he was quickly ushered in as the radio play-by-play voice for Boise State football and basketball from 1973 to 2008. His radio career has spanned the encyclopedia of Treasure Valley history and earned one of the country's largest radio audience shares as a part of "Dunn & Schneider" which aired from 1973 to 1993. Since 2001, Paul J has hosted "Idaho Talks Live" with Chris Walton.

Schneider said, "I have been privileged to work with great morning show partners and to be on AM radio in its heyday. I was able to call the Boise State games through their growth trajectory and when not all the games were broadcasted live on TV."

Boise State University Head Coach Bryan Harsin, who had all of his plays called by Paul J as a quarterback for BSU and was the Broncos offensive coordinator for the 2007 Fiesta Bowl commented, "Paul J is about as iconic as they come, when you think about Boise media and entertainment," said Boise State Head Coach Bryan Harsin. "He will always be a part of Boise State athletics history and there is no question he bleeds blue. We wish Paul J the best in his retirement."

Over 51 Years, Paul J has amassed several awards. Winner of over 50 Idaho State Broadcasting Association awards, Idaho Thoroughbred Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Citadel Broadcasting Legend Award. He was also awarded Boise's Key to the City in 2017, and was most recently a 2018 Boise State Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo read Paul J's accomplishments into the Congressional Record in November of 2018, thus placing Schneider's radio career in American history. Crapo said in his Congressional Record, "Descriptions of Paul J are peppered with words such as: greatly respected, trusted, professional, iconic, wise and humorous."

NewsTalk 670 General Manager Don Morin, who has worked with Paul J as both a sales representative and his General Manager for 10 years, said, "To have had the opportunity and pleasure to work with someone who is truly a broadcast icon in this market has been a career highlight for me. Paul J has brightened the morning for generations of Boiseans. There are so few individuals in this industry that can match the commitment and contributions that Paul J has made to the broadcast industry and our community. Well done, Paul J - and thank you."

In honor of Paul J's professionalism and dedication, the press box at Albertsons Stadium and the Cumulus broadcast building, home of 670 KBOI studios, are named after him.