Fox17 sports anchor Jason Hutton signs off after 17 years on air

Fox17 sports anchor Jason Hutton records the Zeeland West vs. Rockford boys basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. It is his last sporting event before changing jobs. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

ZEELAND, Mich. - Jason Hutton signed off for the last time on Thursday night.

The longtime Fox17 sports anchor covered both games of the Zeeland Holiday Tournament for boys basketball and then walked out of the gym for the final time as a sports journalist.

“It’s bittersweet,” Hutton said. “I’m really going to miss it. I really love coming to games like this. But I’m excited to be at home this time of day to see my family more. I’m going to miss it, but I feel like I’m doing it for the right reasons.”

Hutton has worked in local sports television for the past 17 years. But the long hours have taken a toll on him and his family. Wife Kara Hutton and sons Carter 12, Easton 9, Miles 4 don’t get to see him much.

“There’s a lot of reasons,” Hutton said. “To be around for my family a little more. Working until midnight every night is really hard. I’m free when my kids are in school and when they get out of school, that’s when I head to work. It’s the opposite schedule.”

Zeeland West boys basketball coach David Klyn said Hutton has been great for the community.

“I think he’s done an awesome job supporting teams all the way the Lakeshore,” Klyn said. “Coming to the games and driving down from Grand Rapids … we’ve appreciated the coverage he’s given us over the years.”

Coopersville boys basketball coach Pete VanKempen echoed those sentiments. 

“I think Jason Hutton is a class person,” he said. “He always has a positive spin on things. He always has a smile on his face. Just a good guy.”

Hutton is moving to a job with more steady hours. He will work with the marketing team at Power Strength Training Systems. 

“It’s a gym with four locations in the Grand Rapids area,” he said. “A lot of high school athletes workout there. Several Rockford, Jenison, Hudsonville, Kentwood kids. We’ll highlight those kids and the gains they’re making.”

So what’s it like being the one interviewed this time?

“Very strange,” Hutton said. “It doesn’t happen often.” 

Now he’s done carrying around that big, heavy video camera.

“I won’t have to do it anymore,” he said. “I never got tired of lugging the camera around. I enjoyed it.” 

Fox17 sports anchor Jason Hutton records the Zeeland West vs. Rockford boys basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. It is his last sporting event before changing jobs. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).