Mark Ondayko
Michael "Mark" "Mike" Ondayko (born 1963) is an American radio broadcaster probably most remembered for his role at WIYY Baltimore (98Rock) where Mike/Mark Ondayko was co-host of the Kirk, Mark and Lopez (later Kirk, Mark and Spiegel) morning show from 1994 to 2007.
While at 98 Rock, Ondayko was a four-time co-nominee (with Kirk McEwen and R. Edward Lopez) for Active Rock Morning Show Personality of the Year.[1] Following Lopez's death from cancer, Kirk and Mark remained at 'IYY for several years before moving across town to CBS Radio's guy-talk station, WHFS (105.7).[2]
Following Ondayko and McEwen's move in 2007 to WHFS in Baltimore, the show became known as KMS (The Kirk and Mark Show). After almost two years, the duo split when the station's format changed to Sports Talk.[3]
Early Life and Career
Ondayko is a native of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and has been a broadcaster since 1978. He got his start in broadcasting as a student manager at WMSS which is licensed to the Middletown Area School District. He graduated with honors in English and Speech from York College of Pennsylvania in 1985 and while there managed the student run radio station WVYC.
Mike Ondayko’s post college resume includes hosting morning shows in Harrisburg, PA, Atlantic City, NJ, Pensacola, FL, and Augusta, GA, before coming to WIYY "98 Rock" in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1994.[4] During his career, he has also programmed rock radio stations WHTF Harrisburg, WZXL Atlantic City, and WTKX Pensacola.[5]
Post 98Rock and CBS Radio
Over the last decade, Ondayko has also been heard in the Baltimore area on Times-Shamrock's classic rock outlet, WZBA (100.7 The Bay) as their afternoon personality. During March of 2015 Ondayko joined Empire Broadcasting's Triple-A formatted 103.1 WRNR and in August 2019 he moved from hosting ‘RNR at Night to midday (10am-2pm) host Monday through Friday.
Personal
Mike Ondayko lives in Anne Arundel County, Maryland with his partner Mary Jane, daughter Anna and their labradoodle named Beau. His oldest daughter, Jamie attends school outside of Boston. He considers cars and politics his hobbies.
References
- ^ Radio and Records Magazine Archived 2008-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondayko
- ^ Something to talk about: 105.7 FM switches to sports
- ^ "Mike Ondayko's Bio". WZBA-FM. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ^ Gabriele, Tony (November 7, 1990). "Just for Connie Chung". Daily Press. Hampton Roads, Virginia. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
... WTKX Program Director Mike Ondayko said last week.