Displaying items by tag: WAKR

After a 77-10 demolition of Bowling Green to open the college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to go 2-0 when the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa come rolling in Saturday.

Ari Wasserman from Cleveland.com joined the Sam Bourquin Show Tuesday to talk about the Bucks and the offensive onslaught brought by quarterback J.T. Barrett and company.

You can hear the game on 1590 WAKR at 3:30pm Saturday afternoon.

After a 2-0 start to the season, the Barberton Magics are looking to beat their rival Cuyahoga Falls on the gridiron this Friday night to move to 3-0 on the young season.

Barberton head coach Tony Gotto spoke with our own Sam Bourquin on Tuesday to discuss the matchup.

Gotto says the team has been doing well defensively, keyed by players such as Cobie Booker and Keye Thompson, among others. The Black Tigers are 1-1 heading into their matchup with Barberton. You can catch the full interview with Tony Gotto below.

Week 2 of the high school football season is underway and two neighboring communities will be squaring off on the gridiron. 

The wise one has returned...Scotty D in Vegas is picking against the spread in college football for Week 1.  He joined our own Sam Bourquin on 1590 WAKR.

Here's Part II of Scotty D's interview with Sammy B.

Coming off a Week 1 win over Twinsburg in the Suburban League, the Copley Indians are riding high thanks to a pair of seniors making plays on offense in running back Weston Bridges and quarterback Austin Brenner.

Copley Head Coach Scott Chouinard joined the Sam Bourquin show ahead of the Firestone game tomorrow.

For the full interview with Coach Chouinard, listen below.

The final and fourth preseason game of the season will fire off from FirstEnergy Stadium tonight at 8 p.m.

Nate Ulrich from the Akron Beacon Journal joined the Sam Bourquin Show Thursday afternoon.

Buckeyes beat writer Tim May from the Columbus Dispatch spoke with our own Sam Bourquin Thursday ahead of the Bowling Green/Ohio State game at the Horseshoe Saturday at noon.

The Buckeyes are the least-experienced team in Division I football.  You can listen to the game Saturday on 1590 WAKR, Akron.

Todd Walker, the play-by-play voice of theFalcons joined the show as well to talk about the game from the Bowling Green perspective.

College football gets cranked up tonight with a few games here tonight, and then a blockbuster lineup Labor Day Weekend.

Adam Kramer from Bleacher Report chatted with our own Sam Bourquin on 1590 WAKR.

Here are the Sammy Specials for this week in College Football, Week 1 including Louisville and Charlotte, and Minnesota playing host to Oregon State. 

For Entertainment Purposes Only.

Coming off a Week 1 win, the Lake Blue Streaks are looking to go 2-0 on the young season.  Head coach of Lake Dan DeGeorge spoke with 1590 WAKR's Brad Russell  about their week 2 matchup with Dover.

Tim Shoemaker from 11 Warriors joined Brad Russell to talk Ohio State football and their season opener with the Bowling Green Falcons.

The game between the Buckeyes and the Falcons can be heard Saturday September 3 on 1590 WAKR.

The Cleveland Browns are preparing to play the fourth and final preseason game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Steve King from BrownsDailyDose spoke with Sam Bourquin Wednesday to talk about the Browns' woes this preseason and what they need to do to get better.

George Thomas from the Akron Beacon Journal caught up with Sam Bourquin on 1590 WAKR Wednesday to talk about managing expecations and the season opener with VMI on September 3.

The Walsh Cavaliers will be set to take on Michigan Tech in their season opener Saturday September 3, and with their collection of talent on both sides of the ball, they will look to make some strides.

Ted Karras, head coach of the Walsh Cavaliers made an appearance on the Sam Bourquin Show Wednesday to talk about his squad and what they've been doing leading up to this point.

"Overall we've had a good camp, we're excited to get it going," Karras said. 

The Cavaliers, in Division II will have a tough slate ahead of them including their opener in Michigan, and of course, their matchup with rival Malone.

 Offensively, Walsh will rely on Reid Worstell from GlenOak, former walk-on at Ohio State, along with tailbacks Calvin Gordon and former Ellet standout Aaron Male.

It's going to be a battle down at Dowed Field on Friday night as the Archbishop Hoban Knights take on the Eagles of Lakewood St. Edward.

St. Ed's coach Tom Lombardo joined the Sam Bourquin Show Wednesday to talk about their matchup with Hoban and what he learned about his kids in their first game against Pine Richland.

"This group will improve faster because they're more mature, but the more reps we have, the more experience we have," Lombardo said.

"We lost a lot due to graduation from last year's team."

The Eagles are the defending Division I State Champions and Friday's matchup will pit them against Division II state champ Hoban, who is coming off a 42-14 win over Stark County power Canton McKinley.

Coach Lombardo says that Hoban's the real deal.

"They can run it, they can throw it, they're well coached, so it'll be a good challenge for us."

For the full interview with Coach Lombardo, click here.

As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to take on the Texas Longhorns for the season opener, coach Brian Kelly knows the biggest question mark remains if they can win on the road in a high-profile matchup.

Mike Frank from Irish Sports Daily joined Sam to talk about the matchup with Charlie Strong's Horns and how he will juggle the quarterbacks, Malik Zaire, and DeShone Kizer.

Frank says Coach Kelly didn't tip his hand in the press conference, but he anticipates both young men playing and a lot of who plays more depends on Texas' defensive schemes.

"That seems to be the game plan, whether it will work or not remains an interesting battle," he said.

Texas and Notre Dame play Sunday night at 7:30pm in Austin.

For the full interview, click here.

After a 10-inning effort in which the Tribe's bats were dormant for much of the evening, Jason Kipnis' RBI single put the Tribe up 1-0 over the Minnesota Twins Monday night.

Heading into tonight's game, third base coach/infielder's coach Mike Sarbaugh said it felt good to put one in the "W" column.

"The pitching staff did a great job last night, and we had some good at-bats, but that was a much needed at bat for us by Jason(Kipnis)," Sarbaugh said.

The Indians and Twins will square off at 7:10pm tonight on 1590 WAKR. The full interview with Mike Sarbaugh can be heard here.

The Hoban Knights are ready for a big challenge coming up in Week 2, but coming off a 42-14 win over Canton McKinley down at Lowell Klinefelter Field, they feel pretty good about themselves.

Head Coach Tim Tyrrell, the head coach of the Knights joined the Sam Bourquin Show Tuesday to talk about their team and what they need to do to clean up some mistakes as they prepare for Lakewood St. Edward's.

"I think our kids were ready for McKinley," Tyrrell said. "We made too many mental mistakes with the offsides and things."

Defending Division I State Champions St. Edwards comes up next for Hoban and he knows Tom Lombardo's team won't beat themselves.

"They play as a team," Coach Tyrrell said. "They're constantly running to the football on defense and they take what the defense gives them on offense."

 Tyrrell says that his line is going to have to fire off the ball and running back Todd Sibley and quarterback Danny Clark  will have to bring their A game as well.

After an impressive 39-13 win over Canton South during Week 1, Coventry head coach Ed Egan says he's pleased with his group and he's looking to keep things rolling along.

Egan joined the Sam Bourquin Show Monday and talked about the team's win and how they will prepare for a tough Barberton team coming up this Friday night.

"We had some big time players up front (defensively), Justin Thompson,  Bobby Campbell, and Zack Rankin," Egan said.

"Rankin might be the shortest defensive end there is, but he has a motor and an engine and a backup motor, he said," "He's everywhere."

The Comets only gave up 43 yards passing to Canton South, but he knows Tony Gotto's group is going to come out aggressive.

He said against the Magics, there's a couple of things to pick up in practice heading into that game.

"We've got to pick up our O-line a little bit, get our communication down," he explained.

Many people are letting their feelings be known about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for the National Anthem during a game, citing some of the country's ongoing issues regarding race and politics.

Various callers to the Sam Bourquin Show including Al in Akron, Dave in Akron, and Sandy in Ellet discussed their thoughts on the situation and if he could have done something differently to invoke change.

 "I think we're spoiled because we have a guy in this area who does speak out on social issues, but goes about it the right way," Al said, speaking of LeBron James.

Dave, a veteran himself, says he doesn't sit with well with people who disrespect the anthem or the flag, but he doesn't understand why people carry on conversations, do not remove their hat, or not in the moment during the National Anthem.
 

Sandy in Ellet offered her thoughts, saying she does not like what is going on in our country, however, she feels that Colin Kaepernick has to come up with a better way to bring about change.

 One of the men who stood for social change was former Olympian Dr. John Carlos, who stood on the podium raising his black-gloved fist in the air, along with fellow Olympian Tommie Smith after the 200 meter dash in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Carlos and Smith, both African-American athletes raised their fists in what was deemed a "Black Power salute," but both men said it was a"human rights salute."

 "This young man (Kaepernick) didn't say he wanted to leave America, he wasn't being anti-America, he just wanted to shed some light as to what's going on in this country," Carlos said.

For the full interview with Dr. Carlos, listen below.

The curtain has been lifted on the high school football season and one of the key matchups tonight will pit a pair of Bulldogs, Green and Stow here in Week 1 .

Green High School Athletic Director Erich Muzi joined Sam Bourquin and Brad Russell from Menches Brothers in Green to talk about the upcoming game and what's to come this season.

"We've (as an athletic staff) spent all week preparing for this game against our cross-town rival Stow, and they've got great fans, they were great hosts last year, and we want to reciprocate that," Muzi said.

"Our maintenance team has put together a great facility, and it's going to pop tonight, so hopefully people will be really pleased."

Stow Athletic Director Cyle Feldman also joined the program and he talked about some of the goings-on with Stow athletics and how excited they are to kick off the high school season with this cross-town rivalry.

 "The buzz is good," Feldman said. "We got pretty far (last season), but we're looking to advance."

Week 1 of the high school football season will get kick-started with a "battle of the Bulldogs" as the Green Bulldogs take on the Stow Bulldogs at Green High School.

Head football coach Jon Wallace joined Sam Bourquin and Brad Russell live from Menches Brothers in Green for their High School Football Preview Show to talk about his program and what that process has been like for him.

"Our kids battled through a lot of adversity last year," Wallace said.  "We just have got to get better as a football program."

He knows tonight won't be easy, but it all comes down to blocking and tackling.

"We've got a tough opponent tonight,  you got to get guys on the ground, and we've got to be more physical as a football team."

Mark Nori of Stow caught up with us earlier in the week to talk about the matchup with Green and what  last year's momentum and how they need to carry that over to this season.

For the full interview with Coach Wallace, click here.  Green and Stow will kick off tonight at 7p.m.

It is day five of the Rubber City Radio Group’s spotlight on the heroin epidemic, and today, we look to what we as a community can do next. Summit County sheriff Steve Barry joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to inform what his office is doing to stop the heroin outbreak. Sheriff Barry says the county is putting teams together to gather as much information as possible to educate the public about opiates and the subsequent addiction. Why is it so bad in Akron? He believes our location nationally, as well as a lower economic state, are large factors. What can the people do? Barry urges the public to read the signs and call their local law enforcement agency if they come across suspicious activity. By doing so, officers can arrest the local traffickers, then working their way up to the suppliers.

It is day four of the Rubber City Radio Group’s platform on the heroin epidemic in the area. The spotlight today is on the treatment of opiate addiction and the various in the area who are there to assist. Summa Health System’s Dr. Alan Shein, MD of Addiction Medicine Services, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the treatment program an addict will undergo. First off, Dr. Shein touched on how and why a person would make the jump from prescription drugs that include opiates to heroin, which would not only quell the pain, but to illicit a euphoria. The program at Summa is designed to help the victims get off heroin dependency and assist with the withdrawal symptoms. Though the detoxification process is an uncomfortable one, the medical staff will prescribe medication to the patients, which will help flush the opiates out of the body. The timeline is about four to five days, then the patient will transition to the next level of care.

After the Indians' tough loss last night in Oakland, Sammy B and Jordan Bastian, Tribe reporter for MLB.com spoke Wednesday.

 Jordan spoke with us to talk about what's been going on with starting pitcher Danny Salazar, as well as what the Tribe has to do in order to defeat the A's this afternoon.

Despite the loss last night, the Indians are still leading Detroit the AL Central. The Tribe will wrap up their series with Oakland today before going to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers. 

In our continuing coverage of the heroin crisis in Summit County, we showcase some of the facilities in the area dedicated to helping those find the path to recovery. The Interval Brotherhood Home, or IBH, is a drug and alcohol recovery center located on S. Main Street near the Portage Lakes. The recovery center has been in operation since 1970, and Joe Rifici, an associate clinical director, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss what IBH does. Rifici spoke in depth about the recovery program, which helps patients find their spiritual side. Since 2009, when he joined IBH, Rifici says victims of heroin abuse has increased exponentially, mainly in the last year. He notices patients come from every background come through the doors, no matter the race or economic upbringing.

The season is just around the corner, the pads are going to pop, and the Firestone Falcons are getting ready for St. Vincent-St Mary in week 1.

Our own Brad Russell caught up with Firestone head coach Eric Mitchell before the season to talk about his goals and expectations in 2016.

"We have playmakers on offense, we want to get our kids in space, and defensively we want to get after people, and we want to put our kids in the best position to make some plays for us."

Some of the young men looking to do some big things in 2016 include Zuriel Sanders and Demonte Swain, among others, who were All-City selections in 2015.

The Firestone Falcons will begin the non-conference slate with the Fighting Irish in Week 1, Copley in Week 2, Norwayne in Week 3 before starting city play against the Garfield Golden Rams. 

Federal League power Canton McKinley is looking to build off of last year's successful season and prepare to face a tough Archbishop Hoban team in Week 1 

Head Coach Dan Reardon joined the Brad Russell Show Tuesday to talk about what challenges the defending state champs bring to the football field. 

 "We have a big test, and we're excited about it," Reardon said. "We know we have to play our best ball game to have a chance to contain those guys."

The game will be played Friday at Canton Central Catholic's Lowell Klinefelter Field.  The Bulldogs will be returning 29 lettermen including some big-time talent including quarterback Dominique Robinson , linebacker Kadeem Trotter, and defensive back Reggie Corner.

After yet another Division III national title, the Mt. Union Purple Raiders are ready to go again in 2016.

Head football coach Vince Kehres joined the Sam Bourquin Show on Tuesday to talk about his squad coming back this season and how those young players are looking to make an impact this season.

Kehres said the skill positions are solid with former St. Vincent-St. Mary standout Jordan Hargrove at receiver, along with Tim Kennedy from Hudson, also at wideout. He also pointed to running backs Bradley Mitchell and Jamal Johnson, from New Philadelphia as some difference-makers as well.

 The Purple Raiders will scrimmage against Washington and Jefferson before opening up the season against North Carolina Wesleyan on September 10 in North Carolina.

August 26 at Green Street, the St. Vincent St. Mary Fighting Irish will be taking on Firestone in a "west-side" battle to start the high school football season.

First-year head coach Marcus Wattley joined the Sam Bourquin Show Tuesday to talk about the upcoming season and his transition from assistant coach under the now-retired Dan Boarman to taking the reins as the head man.

Wattley says it's been a pretty solid transition, and it's been enjoyable to work with coaches and players who understand the expectations at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

"The kids are buying in the coaches are buying in and working hard, so we're ready," he said.

Wattley got the job in January, and he says he's been anxious to get out there and lead the Irish against Firestone in Week 1. 

 With offensive playmakers like Malik Wooldridge,  DeAmonte King, and quarterback Donte Taylor doing what they do on Friday nights for the Green and Gold, it will be tough on opponents says Coach Wattley.

 He says Firestone poses some challenges for the Irish on Friday night.

"They're good defensively, they have some athletes at the outside linebacker and quarterback position," he said. "Coach Mitchell is a good coach and he'll have those guys prepared on Friday."

The Mogadore Wildcats are looking to make some noise in 2016, and are looking to let some young players make a name for themselves after some heavy losses in graduation.

Matt Adorni of the Mogadore Wildcats joined the Sam Bourquin Show Tuesday to talk about his team and what they have coming up this season.

He knows there will be some youth all the way around, but there were some experienced players who played key roles in 2015.

"Every coach, every position group has some new faces, so we had to stay on our toes and do our own thing and our own jobs and not worry about the team as a whole," he said.

The Wildcats will face Linsly in Wheeling, West Virginia August 27 for the season opener, and then they will head home to take on Gilmour Academy.

For the full interview with Coach Adorni, click right here. 

Terry Pluto is an award-winning sportswriter and columnist with the Plain Dealer, and is known across the region for his thoughts and analysis of the Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians. But what may not widely known is his work with prison inmates and addicts in their paths to recovery. Pluto joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss his experience in dealing with struggling or recovering addicts, specifically heroin. In the decades he has been meeting with these victims, Pluto has seen the growth of heroin in these communities, no matter the racial or socioeconomic background. He believes heroin is deadlier than crack cocaine.

This week, the Rubber City Radio Group is putting the spotlight on the heroin epidemic that is not only affecting the Akron area, but across the country. Barberton, a once-bustling area that has fallen on hard times, is one of the communities hit hard by the heroin outbreak. Barberrton City Schools Superintendent Patti Cleary joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss what the Barberton community is doing to educate families of this drug epidemic.

Cleary believes most students understand the risks of heroin, but further education on drug use and its affects will continue to be put in place.

The Archbishop Hoban Knights are looking to defend their state title as the season kicks off Friday night against the Bulldogs of Canton McKinley.

Tim Tyrrell, the head coach of the Knights joined the Sam Bourquin Show Monday to talk about his club, the hard work they put into the offseason, and not being complacent.

 "We have been trying to break the mold and not staying stagnant, living by the saying 'If it ain't broke, break it,' saying that constantly trying to get better is something each and every player needs to do.

Hoban will be led by senior quarterback Danny Clark, and running back Todd Sibley, among others.

The Knights will open up with McKinley August 26, and Coach Tyrrell knows his team will have their hands full with Dan Reardon's athletic and physical squad.

First-year head coach Sonil Haslam of the North Vikings is ready to hit the ground running as they prepare for the 2016 season.

Haslam caught up with Brad Russell during City Series Media Day to talk about his squad and how they're looking to get better on the practice field and how that will translate to game day.

'We just want to be a high-accountability team," Haslam said. "We want to make sure we're leaders in the school and when kids see that, they want to emulate that kind of behavior."

Some of the leaders who coach Haslam will be counting on in 2016 include Javon Banks and Le'Eire Evans.

The Vikings will start the 2016 season against Beaver Local August 26 before opening up City Series play against the defending champion Buchtel Griffins on September 17.

The United States men's basketball team got a well-rounded performance during their game Wednesday against Argentina 105-78, and despite some defensive shortcomings,  Team USA is ready for more challenges ahead.

Jeff Zillgitt from USA Today joined us in the Sam Bourquin Show Thursday to talk about the team's run throughout the Rio tournament and what they will have to do in order to beat Spain in the semifinals Friday afternoon.

"There are defensive shortcomings, Serbia, Australia, France, there's no denying that," Zillgitt said. "But when you talk about Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, I'm not sure that Spain has enough to stop those guys from getting whatever they want offensively."

Zillgitt says he's been impressed with Paul George, who plays for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA, his leadership and unselfishness on the court.

"He doesn't need to start, I like what he has to offer, and it's impressive coming off his injury that kept him out most of the year."

One of the highlights of this year's Olympic Games came from one of our local athletes as University of Akron track and field athlete Clayton Murphy won the bronze medal in the 800 meters.

Murphy joined the Brad Russell Show to talk about his experience in Rio as well as what's been going on with him since winning the bronze earlier in the week.

"At 40 meters I think I realized that I had medaled and I don't think it's hit me yet," Murphy said. "I'm just enjoying every moment of it, and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to medal again or make another Olympic team, but I'm just enjoying it."

He says one of the highlights of being in Rio was meeting Carmelo Anthony of Team USA Basketball and the opening ceremonies, where all of the countries come into the stadium with their country's flag surrounded by the other athletes. 

One of the teams that is looking to improve upon last year's campaign is the East Dragons under the direction of fifth-year head coach Marques Hayes. 

Hayes spoke with WAKR's Brad Russell about his team heading into 2016 and what he's looking for his team to do.

When asked about the most rewarding part of coaching the Dragons is getting things going on the field.

 "We have some fantastic expectations for this season, and we're looking to do some big things," he said.  "We ask those seniors to leave a legacy behind for the younger guys coming up behind them."

Two of the seniors expected to help the Dragons this year are defensive end De'Andre Brimage and running back Jemarulin Suggs, who are both committed to the University of Akron.

The Dragons will start the season August 26 against the Jackson Polar Bears.

The 2016 Rio Olympics is starting to wrap up in Brazil, and a familiar name is observing the Games and bringing some unique stories and perspectives.

WKYC-TV's Sara Shookman joined us on the Sam Bourquin Show Wednesday to talk about what she's seen during the Olympics and how some of our local athletes have done so far in Rio. 

She's said that covering the games has been an incredible experience for her, living out her dream as a journalist.

"These athletes, they all have stories," Shookman said. "You don't get to this level without some sort of conflict, and how they've perserverd and overcame that."

An Akron native and Manchester High School grad,  Shookman has covered the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. 

One of the highlights of her Olympic experience in Rio was catching up with University of Akron track athlete Clayton Murphy on capturing the bronze medal in the 800 meter dash. 

For the full interview with Sara, click here. 

The Indians are ready to face the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field tonight to start a three-game series.

Ryan Lewis, Indians beat writer for the Akron Beacon Journal joined Brad Russell from Booth 4 at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario just ahead of tonight's game.

Tonight's pitching matchup will feature the Tribe's Corey Kluber going up against Jose Quintana of the White Sox. Lewis anticipates both of these pitchers making it tough on opposing hitters.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm and pregame starts at 6:37pm on 1590 WAKR. For the full interview with Ryan Lewis and Brad Russell, click right here.

The Cleveland Indians are looking to make a postseason push, and the key to any successful baseball organization is a solid farm system that develops prospects in hopes of them making an impact with the big league club.

Carter Hawkins, Cleveland Indians Director of Player Development joined myself and Brad Russell live from Progressive Field Tuesday to talk about the Indians prospects coming up as well as the day-to-day operations of the player development staff.

 "It's been busy from a logistical standpoint, just making sure our rosters are filled at the minor league level, but it's been worth it,  we've been doing well with our player development making sure our guys are prepared and ready to help out at the major league level."

As the Indians continue to make that postseason push, they will be without Abraham Almonte for the postseason,  so they are going to have to look within their development system to fill that gap.

For the full interview with Carter Hawkins, click here.