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St. Louis Park Roots, Minnesota Wild Hockey, and Remembering Marty Hammer with Kevin Falness

Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer host Park Bench Perspectives with guest Kevin Falness (St. Louis Park class of 1990), discussing their shared St. Louis Park roots and community pride. Falness recounts being born and raised in St. Louis Park, attending Susan Lindgren, Peter Hobart, and the high school, briefly living in Denver (1995–2000), then returning to raise a family nearby. He describes his radio career, including working for the Minnesota Wild since July 2000 and on KFAN (including Beyond the Pond with Pat Micheletti), and outlines where to find his broadcasts and content. The conversation covers Minnesota sports frustrations, the Wild’s outlook and key players, and the competitiveness of the NHL Central Division. They also reflect on college hockey’s Big Ten shift and NIL’s disruptive impact. The episode closes with heartfelt memories of Marty Hammer and Falness’s role at his funeral.

00:00 Welcome to the Bench
01:46 St Louis Park Roots
02:03 Schools and Growing Up
03:50 Radio and the Wild
04:46 Old Schools Feel Tiny
05:26 High School Hall of Fame
07:04 Minnesota Sports Heartbreak
09:43 Why This Wild Team
11:46 Bill Guerin Stories
13:36 Remembering Marty Hammer
16:18 Golf Memories and Legacy
18:45 Marty the Athlete
19:25 Making Hockey Affordable
20:43 Park Hockey Reality Check
22:23 Small Town Sports Pool
23:08 Diversity in St Louis Park
23:55 Where to Hear Kevin
26:53 Gophers Attendance Rebound
28:13 NIL Breaks College Sports
31:02 Donors and Buying Titles
32:01 Wild Window and Injuries
34:49 Back to Park Memories
36:17 Wrap Up and Marty Tribute

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