Update 5/16/2023: Come and celebrate the life of “Coach” Dan Gensel at Soldotna High School Gym on Tuesday May 23rd at 6pm.
It is with a heavy heart that with share with you a huge loss to the KSRM, the Kenai Peninsula and the state of Alaska.
Sunday afternoon, May 14th, “Coach” Dan Gensel passed away at the age of 66.
He is survived by his wife Kathy. His daughter Andrea, her husband Lee and their two sons. There are also many family members that also live here on the Kenai Peninsula.
From Matt Wilson…
In 2007, I came to the Kenai from Kodiak.
I arrived at KSRM in June of that year. When I arrived at KSRM, Coach was on vacation after filling in on the show. Coach was there when I arrived and began training me on how to do the morning update.
Over the past 16 years, we have hosted together, KSRM’s morning update. We also shared many experiences over the years calling basketball games all across the state.
Together we have hosted KSRM’s morning update together. Each morning coming together to bring the Kenai Peninsula everything they need to start their day. Coach worked harder than any person at KSRM. Coach came to KSRM after retiring from teaching at SoHi and took over the sports.
From 1999 to the present, Dan Gensel has served as Sports Director through KSRM Radio Group where he has produced over 5450 high school sports live broadcasts and been recognized for excellence in broadcasting by the Alaska Broadcasters Association by earning 25 “Goldie Awards.”
Coach was very special to me. More than just a co-host, but a friend, and a mentor. Anytime I needed advice or to run an idea by him, he was there.
I will miss you dearly Coach. Thank you for all that you did for me, my family and the Kenai Peninsula.
ASAA life time achievement award
To say that Dan Gensel has a lifetime of achievement would be an understatement. A former colleague’s recommendation letter states, “Mr. Gensel’s passion for working with and celebrating young Alaskan athletes is truly commendable whether it be as a teacher/coach or as a sportscast radio announcer.”
As a three sport letterman at Kenai Central HS (Football, Basketball, Track & Field), he graduated in 1975, was named 1975 KCHS Male Athlete of the Year and was the Region III 100 Yard Dash and 180 Yard Hurdle Champion in both 1974 & 1975.
Mr. Gensel began his teaching/coaching career at Soldotna HS as a language arts teacher and coached football, basketball (boys and girls), as well as track & field (boys and girls). His coaching accomplishments are numerous; in twelve years (1987-1999) as Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, his teams had 202 victories (including the 1993 4A State Championship) and he was named 1993 Alaska Basketball Coaches Association Girls Coach of the Year. In Track & Field, he has served as a Head Coach, Assistant and Volunteer (from 1981-2017). As Girl’s head coach his team was 1983 State Runner-up and as an assistant were State Runner-up in 1993 & 1995 and State Champions in 1996 and 1997. The Boys were State Runner-ups in 1992 & 1993 and State Champions in 1994. Additionally, Dan served as Athletic Director from 1981-83, and Activities Director from 1995 until his retirement in 1999.
From 1999 to the present, Dan Gensel has served as Sports Director through KSRM Radio Group where he has produced over 5450 high school sports live broadcasts and been recognized for excellence in broadcasting by the Alaska Broadcasters Association by earning 25 “Goldie Awards”, and “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2020.
Daniel Gensel’s total lifetime of various awards, community participation and recognitions are too numerous to mention here, however, Mr. Gensel continues to volunteer in a vast multitude of capacities and is truly “among the elite” as he “continually promotes and highlights the positive aspects of extracurricular activities.”
