Tanner Castora
After being hired at KELO – the CBS affiliate in Sioux Falls, SD – Tanner Castora became an Emmy-nominated sports reporter before going on to establish himself as one of the best-selling authors in the Upper Midwest.
Released in October 2025, his book, Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football has sold several thousand copies and is now carried in stores across the region.
Meet Tanner
After graduating from Strongsville High School (Northeast Ohio), Tanner Castora attended South Carolina Upstate on a full Division I basketball scholarship.
He eventually transferred to Kent State University, where he was part of the basketball team that reached the NCAA Tournament before transitioning into broadcasting to call games on ESPN3. He ultimately graduated with a journalism degree.
He was soon hired by KELO – the CBS affiliate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – where he became an Emmy-nominated sports reporter and anchor. After finishing his two-year contract with KELO, Tanner worked to establish himself as an independent/freelance journalist and broadcaster.
Along with hosting a weekly sports radio show and doing play-by-play work for several high school and college programs, Tanner dedicated the majority of his time to writing the biography of John Stiegelmeier – a beloved hall-of-fame college football coach at South Dakota State.
After countless days of research and conducting over 170 interviews, Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football was released in October 2025.
Recognition
Recognized for the work
Upper Midwest Emmy nomination
Best Sports Feature Story (2022)
Sportscaster of the Year nomination
South Dakota Broadcasters Association (2022)
30 Under 30
Sioux Falls Business (2026)
Author
Stig and the Rise of South Dakota State Football
Available now
Get the book
Read it on Kindle in seconds — or any device with the free Kindle app. One tap and it's yours.
Shortly after leading South Dakota State Football to their first national championship (January 2023), John Stiegelmeier – best known as “Coach Stig” – retired after 26 years as head coach.
While covering SDSU athletics for KELO, Tanner developed a friendship with Stig and pitched the idea of a book following his retirement. After two years of weekly meetings and dozens of interviews with former players and assistants, Tanner released Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football in October 2025.
The book chronicles Stig's greatest challenges and triumphs as a father, husband, and coach, while revealing behind-the-scenes stories of NFL players Tucker Kraft, Dallas Goedert, Mason McCormick, and others during SDSU's rise to its first national championship.
This was one of the best books I have ever read. I had a hard time putting it down and was sad when I finished it. I wanted it to be longer.
Rated 5★ on Amazon and 4.8★ on Goodreads.
Fueled by strong online sales, more than a dozen successful book signings, and placement in over 60 retail stores, Tanner has sold several thousand copies of the book and become one of the best selling authors in the Upper Midwest.
Broadcasting Reel
On the air
The anchor desk, field reporting, and play-by-play work — here's a look at Tanner on the mic.
Resume
The resume
Tanner's full resume is just one tap away.
Letter of recommendation
Contact
Let's talk.
Hiring for an anchor, play-by-play, or reporting role? I'd love to hear about it. Email is the fastest way to reach me — the reel and resume are a tap away above.