Tim Grivna (Smith) - Inducted 2024

TIM “SMITH” GRIVNA

Tim “Smith” Grivna, a 1968 Minneapolis Edison High School graduate and alumnus of the University of Minnesota and Brown Institute of Broadcasting, is one of South Dakota’s most iconic radio voices. His five-decade career began in 1973 at KORN Radio in Mitchell, and in 1979, he moved to KMIT, where he also served as general manager of Mitchell Radio Group until 2016. For 47 years, Grivna broadcasted Mitchell High School, Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU), and area sports, partially retiring in 2021. Grivna called play-by-play for over 800 football games and over 4,500 basketball games, covering 12 state championships for Mitchell High and DWU’s 2021 national tourney appearances, including the women’s basketball national championship in 2018.

Smith called at least one State High School basketball tourney from 1973 to 2021. He was also a fixture at the Amateur Baseball Tournament for 50 years. Grivna continues broadcasting DWU home games and special events like the Hanson Basketball Classic. He has been named South Dakota Sportscaster of the Year five times. Grivna has been inducted into several halls of fame, including DWU, Mitchell High School, the SD High School Basketball Coaches Association, and the ESD Conference. He was also inducted into the Minneapolis Edison High School Hall of Fame for his tennis achievements. In recognition of his service, July 14, 2016, was proclaimed “Tim Grivna Day” by South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, and April 29, 2021, was declared “Tim Smith Day” by Mitchell Mayor Bob Everson. The broadcast booth at the Corn Palace is named in his honor.