Hawk knows following Rodgers will be tough

You don't have to tell Morgan Hawk. He knows he's got big shoes to fill.

The 23-year-old Bloomfield, Iowa, native has been tabbed to replace John Rodgers as radio play-by-play man this season for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Rodgers was in the broadcast booth for 15 years before deciding to pursue other interests this past fall.

"John is a one of kind broadcaster. No one will replace him," Hawk said. "I hope I can bring the excitement that John brought to the booth. John has been an excellent friend and mentor from the beginning. I can't say enough about what he's done for me."

Hawk was a broadcast assistant for Rodgers a couple of years ago, and that has helped him know what he's getting into. A 140-game schedule with much travel can be grueling.

So can replacing a popular announcer whose unique style made him highly popular with many Kernels fans.

"(Rodgers) gave me the opportunity to get started doing play by play when I didn't have much experience," Hawk said. "He's taught me much more than just play by play. Having a connection with your listeners is very important. He taught me to always describe the action like you are talking to one person, so you are personable with everyone."

Hawk has been honing his broadcast skills recently by doing play by play for Cedar Rapids Xavier football and basketball games on KMRY-AM (1450) in Cedar Rapids. But it's the beginning of his baseball career on KMRY he's most excited about.

"The opportunity to work for a team I'm familiar with ... is very exciting," Hawk said.  "The Kernels are a class-act organization, which makes this such a great opportunity."