Back to the Portland Trail Blazers Newsfeed

Former KOIN Sportscaster Finds Hope After Hardships

Related Topics: KOIN, Sports commentator

Ed Whelan served as the light-hearted sportscaster for KOIN for 26 years, placing him in front of the camera for one of the most successful eras of Trail Blazers basketball. Whelan, who now goes by his given name, Wayland Boot, has been off the air for nearly 10 years, and is enjoying a new career path after years of hardship.

Following a sudden departure from KOIN in August of 2007, Boot struggled with depression and his finances while adjusting to life off of the air. That has all changed recently, however, as the 70-year-old is now happily employed as a dispatcher for a Portland-based towing company.