YSU Athletics Extends Radio Broadcast Rights Package With iHeartMedia Youngstown

by YSU

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 10:43 pm

The Youngstown State University Athletic Department will extend its current radio broadcast rights agreement with iHeartMedia Youngstown, remaining on 570 WKBN and 1390 WNIO through June 30, 2019. That joint announcement was made today by Ron Strollo, Executive Director of Athletics at YSU, and William E. Kelly, Jr., Regional President of iHeartMedia.

The agreement is a two-year extension of the current rights deal signed in July 2013 and includes football, men's basketball, women's basketball, coaches’ shows and special athletic events. The department's contract with the network was not set to expire until June 2017.

It has been 13 years since Youngstown State moved all athletic radio broadcasts to iHeartMedia, spending the past seven seasons on 570 AM WKBN for football and men’s basketball. Recently, YSU and iHeartMedia have teamed up to broadcast all women’s basketball games on 570 WKBN and 1390 WNIO.

Programming such as the "Penguin Playbook Coaches Show" featuring football head coach Bo Pelini, men’s basketball head coach Jerry Slocum and women’s basketball head coach John Barnes are aired from September through March.

In addition, special programs like the "Football Tailgate Show" continues to air prior to each football home game live at Stambaugh Stadium. "The Fifth Quarter Call-In Show," a wrap-up of the game's action, follows every Penguins football game.

"iHeartMedia’s commitment to Youngstown State University and the Athletic Department has been greatly appreciated and continues to grow each year," Strollo said. "We're very excited that Penguins fans will continue to hear all of our events through iHeartMedia."

"YSU is a cornerstone of our community and we are proud to continue our association with them," Kelly said. "It’s hard to believe 13 years have passed."

Bob Hannon, Chris Sammarone and Tim Pozsgai all return as the voices of Penguins football. YSU Assistant Athletic Director Robb Schmidt will continue his duties as the voice of the men's basketball program while iHeartMedia Sports Director Jim Campbell returns to handle the women's basketball play-by-play duties.

The YSU football broadcast schedule on 570 WKBN will debut Saturday, September 5, when the Penguins take on Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. The “Pre-Game Show” will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by the opening kick-off at 1.

Pelini’s weekly radio show, “Penguin Playbook”, will air Monday nights a 7 p.m. on 570 WKBN starting Monday, August 31. Penguins’ fans can join Coach Pelini at O’Charley’s Restaurant on South Avenue in Boardman for the hour long show. It will be hosted by Hannon and will include appearances by the assistant coaching staff members.

Then in November, fans can join Slocum and Barnes every Monday at 7 p.m. for “Penguin Playbook”. Again, the show will air live on 570 WKBN and will be hosted by Schmidt and Campbell.

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