For a few days last week, Gary Rima was more of a radio therapist than a sports talk host.
His program On Press Row (KXEL, Waterloo, 1540 AM) gave Northern Iowa fans a place to vent, console and commiserate.
“Was probably as compelling a radio show as I’ve done in a long time,” Rima said. “There were people actually calling into the show sobbing, crying, broken up.”
This is usually a ratings winner, but Rima didn’t feel like celebrating.
He just let the emotions flow after Northern Iowa squandered a 12-point lead in the final 44 seconds of regulation, eventually losing their NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game to Texas A&M, 92-88 in double overtime.