WMGM’s First News Director Dies

By Kevin Eck 

Michael Schurman, the first news director for Linwood, NJ, NBC affiliate WMGM, has died.

Schurman had a long career in radio, working as news director for local station WOND during the 1970s and 80s. Schurman started working in TV when WOND’s owner at the time bought WMGM.

Mike is mentioned in former Atlantic City Philadelphia Mobster Phil Leonetti’s biography… It was Michael Schurman who over the airways coined a nickname for Leonetti, Schurman called him.. “Crazy Phil”  Leonetti hated the name… his fellow mobster reportedly told Phil. they’d give anything for that nickname.  So began a period of reporting for Mike that lead to in depth mob stories and even at one point death threats because of it.

Advertisement

He was 71.

Advertisement