College Basketball is Back

I like college football..I watch/follow it closely when I get a chance, but in my opinion, it doesn't even come close to college basketball.  I'm a basketball junkie..have been and always will be.  Nothing compares to being in a gym full of fans on a cool Thursday night in December.  I grew up loving basketball as a player and now I love calling basketball and being the guy who describes the action as a broadcaster.  One week from tonight I'll be behind the mic for the first of many games in 2012-2013.

First off, my 60-plus game schedule had a great recent addition.  I'm excited to announce that Learfield Sports has hired me to call the play-by-play of the November 14th Toledo @ Northern Iowa Men's Basketball game in Iowa.  I'll be broadcasting for the Toledo Rockets Sports Network from Learfield Sports.  Can't wait!

For the second year in a row I'll team up with Joe Pott on the SIUE Cougar Radio Network.  Same as last year, I'll work with Joe as an analyst on the Men's games and serve as the play-by-play man for the Women's games.  I can't wait to work with Joe once again and continue to learn under one of the best broadcaster's I've been around and a guy who I've always considered to be a great mentor.

I'll have 43 games this season for SIUE.  This year's travel will take me to, most notably, Bloomington, IN where I'll get the chance to call the play-by-play of SIUE and Indiana in WBB @ historic Assembly Hall on December 16th.  The Ohio Valley Conference schedules take us to Tennessee and Kentucky for a good portion of January and February with some neat stops along the way.  Can't wait to call a full season of games once again for my alma mater!

I'll continue my role in the winter as the Public Address Announcer of McKendree MBB, but unfortunately due to my rigorous schedule with SIUE, I'll only be able to do half a dozen or so 'Cats games behind the PA mic.  It's always a treat watching 47th year McKendree head coach Harry Statham coach his team to victory.  My MCK schedule will take me on the road January 31st, where I'll be filling for the great Scott Cummings, calling the play-by-play of McKendree WBB and MBB @ Kentucky Wesleyan in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup.

I'll continue my work on 590 AM KFNS in the winter for the High School Sports Caravan with Jim Powers and his crew.  I'll be studio hosting/play-by-play for about 8 Friday's during the winter months when my college bball schedule allows.  Looking forward to seeing some of the great HS talent in the area.

It all starts this Sunday at the Hilton in O'Fallon with the McKendree MBB Tip-Off Dinner.  Can't wait to get the college basketball action started next Thursday @ the Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville.  This winter will include a lot of travel and will be extremely busy..my planner is packed, but in a good way..ready to get started again!

                                                                                                                                    -Adam Young

Grizzlies Release 2013 Schedule

Hello all!

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

The Grizzlies have released their 2013 schedule.  What jumps out to me at first glance is that the Grizzlies will not be opening the season at home for the first time in a while.  They begin 2013 regular season action at Lake Erie on Friday, May 17th.  The Grizzlies play their home opener on Tuesday, May 21st against Joliet.

Unlike 2012, the Grizzlies have numerous off days in the month of June.  In fact, the Grizzlies will have every Monday off that month (4 Mondays in total).  August will have the Grizzlies two hardest road trips travel wise (@ Traverse and @ Washington) which is a change from 2012 when the Grizzlies had good travel in the second half, especially in August.

It will be interesting to start off the season on the road, especially in Avon, OH, which is one of the longer trips.  Then again, it's also nice to get that long trip out of the way to start the season.

Here's the link to the full Frontier League schedule for 2013.  Game times will be released in the coming weeks and I'll check back in with more breakdown in the coming months! 

Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Make Roster Move

Photo courtesy of the Rockford RiverHawks

Hello all!  The Grizzlies have made their first roster move after the completion of the 2012 season, trading right-handed pitcher Jordan Cudney to the Rockford RiverHawks in exchange for infielder, Jet Butler.

I talked this morning with manager Phil Warren and hitting coach Mike Breyman and both guys are excited about the potential of this deal.  Mike compares Butler to former Frontier League star Joash Brodin and feels that Butler has the potential to be one of the best hitters in the league.  Cudney may have the chance to be a starting pitcher for the RiverHawks, which is ultimately the position he wants to be in.  Only time will tell if this deal will sway in favor of the Grizzlies, but at least on paper it looks like a great move for Gateway.  Butler is a versatile defender who can play any of the infield positions and also the corner outfield spots.

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon

I continue to stay busy in the offseason with broadcasting assignments.  Below are highlights from the O'Fallon/East St. Louis football game I called last Friday night with Howard Balzer.  I really enjoyed working with 'H'..great football mind.

Football Play-by-Play Highlights

Talk to you soon..Go Grizzlies!

      -Adam Young