BEK TV sports broadcasters David Sugarman, left, and Noah Reed cover a recent volleyball game at Bismarck Legacy High School against Mandan High School. Photos by NDAREC/John Kary

Derrick Bulawa had recently arrived in Steele to take over as general manager of BEK Communications Cooperative. He set his eyes on adding a TV service to BEK’s portfolio that offered local sports, and he pegged Jordan Hassler as the young buck to move the idea forward.

“They wanted to do something different, something that gave them a competitive advantage when they launched,” Hassler says. “They wanted to give something to their members that they couldn’t get anywhere else.”

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Ash grew up near Underwood, on a farm served by McLean Electric Cooperative. He settled in Devils Lake, working first for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Garrison Diversion, and completing his working years with the U.S. Army National Guard.

Ash, now retired, says as long as the ice is good, the winter weather is cooperating, and the fish are biting, he’s on the Devils Lake ice fishing, practically every day. A key to success is moving around – a lot, when necessary – and staying safe at all times, he shares.