Craig O?Neill, sports director for Little Rock television station KTHV-11, and legendary radio personality, has donated his papers and other memorabilia to the University of Central Arkansas Archives.
The O?Neill collection contains personal and professional correspondence, many years worth of radio shows, taped radio programs, photographs and awards O?Neill has received during his career. His collection also contains material that chronicles his dedication in supporting charities.
According to Jimmy Bryant, director of the UCA Archives, ?The Craig O?Neill Collection will give researchers a look at radio broadcasting in the latter part of the 20th century. People will be able to examine the radio programs O?Neill created and listen to his radio shows. Researchers will not only read about, but be able to experience how we were entertained via the radio. In addition, many of the famous Craig O?Neill prank phone calls have been preserved and will be transferred to compact disc.?
O?Neill, a 1968 graduate of Little Rock Central High School, and a 1972 graduate of Arkansas State University, has a 31-year history in radio. His first broadcasting job was at Jonesboro radio station KBTM, where O?Neill was known as Randy Hankins, which is his real name.
He moved to KARN in 1972 and worked in broadcast and advertising sales. While at KARN Randy adopted the name, Craig O?Neill. The program director at KARN felt that the name ?Craig O?Neill? had a better ring to it than the name Randy Hankins. In addition, jingles had been written that rhymed with the name O?Neill.
O?Neill was best known for his prank phone calls that began when he worked at KLAZ. He joined the staff of KLAZ in the winter of 1978 and began making the famous prank phone calls that entertained multitudes of listeners. His first prank phone call was to Arkansas Gov. David Pryor, and his opponent in the U.S. Senatorial race, Jim Guy Tucker. O?Neill posed as Jimmy Carter in wishing both Pryor and Tucker luck in their upcoming election.
In 1981, O?Neill went to radio station KKYK where he came into this own, becoming the number one morning disc jockey in Little Rock. During his career at KKYK O?Neill traveled to Hollywood on several occasions and also appeared in a movie that was made in Arkansas titled, Pass The Ammo.
After ten years, O?Neill left KKYK and went to work at KURB also known as B98.5. KURB would be O?Neill?s last job in radio before jumping into television. While at KURB, Craig was heavily involved in raising money for charities. O?Neill estimates he has been involved in more than 2000 fund raising events during his media career.
On Jan. 1, 2000, O?Neill began his television career by becoming Sports Director for KTHV-11. He jokes that he had been parking at THV-11?s front door for several months asking to be put on television. O?Neill will continue to add items to his collection as his television career progresses.
UCA President Lu Hardin said, ?Craig O?Neill has been a longtime friend of mine. I was a fan of his work on the radio as I am now of his sports broadcasts. He brings a unique approach to his work. His papers and memorabilia will be a tremendous addition to the UCA Archives.?
In a recent interview, O?Neill said he selected UCA to house his papers because of ?knowing Jimmy Bryant and the enthusiasm he has for preserving Arkansas history.? O?Neill said that UCA continues to grow both in stature and respect. ?It?s a self-perpetuating thing. You are turning out top graduates each year while enrolling the brightest students and people are noticing.?
The O?Neill collection will be formally presented at a reception later this year.
