Radio and TV Coverage of YSU Athletics
Audio
NewsRadio 570 WKBN: The Radio Home of YSU Athletics
The radio home for Youngstown State athletics is Youngstown's NewsRadio 570 WKBN, an iHeartMedia station. YSU broadcasts will also be carried on the iHeartRadio App.
Play-by-play voice Bob Hannon returns for his 29th season as the voice of Youngstown State Football. Hannon, the president and chief professional officer of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, has called more than 200 YSU games since 1990. Steve Leslie returns as the color analyst, and Ron Potesta patrols the sidelines for reports from the field. Mike Orto, as always, is the on-site broadcast engineer.
All YSU men's and women's basketball games can be heard across the iHeartMedia network on NewsRadio 570 WKBN, The Gambler 1390 WNIO, iHeart.com and the iHeartRadio app. Robb Schmidt has been the dedicated play-by-play voice of the Youngstown State Men's Basketball program since the 2002-03 season, while Drae Smith became the main voice of YSU Women's Basketball in 2019-20. Smith had previously served as the play-by-play radio talent on the road for four seasons, and he was the play-by-play voice on ESPN3/ESPN+ for home games.
Penguin Playbook Radio Show
Fans can go inside the huddle on Monday nights at 5 o'clock on The Gambler 1390 WNIO with "Penguin Playbook" presented by Southwoods Health from Quaker Steak & Lube locations in Austintown and Boardman.
In football season,fans can listenas Head Coach Doug Phillips and Penguins' radio play-by-play broadcaster Bob Hannon break down the previous week's game and preview the upcoming match-up during the second hour of the show. The insightful show will give fans an early look at what lies ahead for the Guins.Student-athletes and coaches from YSU's Olympic Sports will be featured during the first hour with YSU Assistant Director of Athletics Communications Drae Smith.
At the conclusion of the football season, the basketball edition of Penguin Playbook will feature conversations with YSU head coaches John Barnes and Jerrod Calhoun. The show typically runs on Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. on 1390 WNIO and iHeartRadio.
- Radio Show Schedule
Tailgate Show on 570 WKBN
Get insight on each home game by listening to the "YSU Tailgate Radio Show" live from Stambaugh Stadium's M-70tailgate lot.Look for the NewsRadio 570 WKBN mobile radio unit, which will be located right across the street from the stadium. The show features interviews with special guests, previews the upcoming opponent and has breaking news that may impact the game. The show starts an hour before kickoff and 30 minutes prior to the "Joe" Dickey ElectricPre-Game Showon iHeartMediaand 570 WKBN.
Fifth Quarter Postgame Show
After each YSU football game, both home and away, fans can call in and talk Penguins football on NewsRadio 570 WKBN.
The "Fifth Quarter Call-In Show courtesy of Bryant Heating and Cooling" features final statistics, scores from around the FCS world, callers and special guests.
YSU Baseball on YSN Live
Youngstown-area sports website Your Sports Network (YSNLive.com) has served as the radio partner for Youngstown State baseball games since the 2019 season. In 2022, YSN streamed the Penguins' entire home slate at Eastwood Field as well as many road contests and each game in the Horizon League Baseball Championship. YSU sports broadcasting major Richie Juliano handled the primary play-by-play duties once again in 2022.
Video
"Penguin Gameday" on 21 WFMJ
Fans can get an exclusive look at the YSU Football Program by watching the weekly coach's television show, "Penguin Gameday," on 21 WFMJ.
During football season, Head Coach Doug Phillips will join 21 WFMJ Sports Director Dana Balash every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. during the season for a preview of the week's upcoming opponent, player interviews, and special segments. The 30-minute show will be live on location at YSU and will feature all aspects of Penguins football.
Penguin Gameday is presented by Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown and Hubbard.
Penguins on ESPN+ and ESPN3
Many Youngstown State athletics teams have the luxury of having their games streamed on the ESPN family of networks on ESPN+ and ESPN3.
Play-by-play voice Drae Smith and color analyst Chris Sammarone are in their fourth season calling games in 2022. Smith, a two-time YSU graduate, is also the radio play-by-play voice for the Youngstown State women's basketball team. Sammarone is a member of the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame and started three years at center for the Penguins from 1992-94. He helped lead his hometown team to national titles in 1993 and 1994 and a National Championship game appearance in 1992.
In 2021-22, YSU student Anthony Romo was the main voice for the soccer, lacrosse and softball broadcasts. Richie Juliano, another YSU student, was the primary play-by-play voice for volleyball matches and women's basketball games. Juliano teamed up with analyst Ron Potesta to call the action for YSU's Horizon League regular-season championship in 2021-22. For men's basketball contests, Robb Schmidt and Potesta's radio broadcast was simulcast on ESPN+.
