Sports Beat

[Dr Z]

5 years ago when I lived in Akron I used to watch Sports Beat with Steve French every Monday on the CAT channels 29 akron, 35 cleveland I have since moved 15 miles out of the area, which ruined reception (believe it or not). I put up a newantenna to pick up the free OTA HD stuff and realized I can pick up the CAT again (barely). The show comes on Monday's at 6:00 pm and is an hour call in show after he is done going over what he has to say. He doesn't promote Akron sportsreal hard on his own, but if you call in and ask an Akron question he will answer it very well.I'm posting this for the new people on the board, I know a lot of you already know about the show.Here is a short overview of Zips related stuff covered last night:Just about every call last night was a Zips related call. Many fans congratulating Steve on the victory.A YSU fan thinks the Zips will play home and away with YSU. French said no way in he11Zips are playing away at a 1AA team. Says the Zips have one open home game next year they are looking to fill.Elton Alexander is a dope for saying that NC State is the doormat of the ACC. Explained all their bowl games and record against FSU.NCAA is NOT going to kick any division I team out for attendance issues.Everyone should be proud to be a Zips fan. He is starting to see a lot of Zips stuff.He was somewhere after the game and talked to a bunch of OSU fans and they said they watched the end and rooted for the Zips.He made this odd comment “Let’s all stick together on this people” (Like he has been reading the BS OSU stuff on Zipsnation)He showed the 107 page program from the game. Talked about how nice the stadium was and the practice facility. Talked about the 91 million they put into it and how they are a major major program and what a good job the Zips did upsetting them.He said he isn’t afraid to tell people that he announces for the Zips now (and laughed).Talked about how the Zips are only losing 3 seniors on defense and 4 or 5 on offense and the machine will roll for awhile in Akron.Point being, if you are a Zips fan and are dying for some media about the Zips, the show is worth putting your rabbit ears up for.If you ever have the chance to meet him, you should, he is a nice dude and loves to talk sports, especially Zips PS He mentioned he got some new glasses.

[Z-Pouch]

I'll take French over most play by play announcers. The guy is just awesome and he just bleeds Zips. If you ever get a chance to talk Zips history with him, he's a walking Zips encyclopedia. I hope that he’s around for a long time. We are lucky to have him.I didn’t get a chance to hear it – we were watching the NCSU game on TV but a number of people told me that his call at the end of the game was incredible.

[Buckzip]

I'll take French over most play by play announcers. The guy is just  awesome and he just bleeds Zips. If you ever get a chance to talk Zips history with him, he's a walking Zips encyclopedia.  I hope that he’s around for a long time. We are lucky to have him.I didn’t get a chance to hear it – we were watching the NCSU game on TV but a number of people told me that his call at the end of the game was incredible.

He does get jacked up. I remember back in the late80's/early 90's, one of our kickers, I think Dennis Heckman, made a 50 yard field goal when time ran out to beat YSU. I thought he was going to jump through the radio. He does get very high when things are going well, but also very low when things are bad. He has a hard time keeping an even keel. Which to me shows he is a fan, but as an announcer, that isn't always the best thing.

[ZipAnalyst]

Which to me shows he is a fan, but as an announcer, that isn't always the best thing.

Buckzip has it right. It is okay to listen to French if you understand he is a fan first and foremost. Sort of reminds me of Bob Wylie who did Zips basketball years ago. Colorful and passionate but the listener did not always know what was going on a given play. It took sorting out later in the broadcast or reading about it in the print media if it was deemed important enough to make it to print.

[Sergeant Zip]

the CAT channels 29 akron, 35 cleveland

I think this is channel 14 on Akron's Time Warner cable...I catch the show sometimes. It can be entertaining and insightful.

[fear the brown roo]

i think french is great

[UADavid]

He does get jacked up. I remember back in the late80's/early 90's, one of our kickers, I think Dennis Heckman, made a 50 yard field goal when time ran out to beat YSU. I thought he was going to jump through the radio. He does get very high when things are going well, but also very low when things are bad. He has a hard time keeping an even keel. Which to me shows he is a fan, but as an announcer, that isn't always the best thing.

I was at that game. It may have been the first game in the renovated stadium. An amazing kick. I disagree about the even keel. I love the enthusiasm when we do great things on the field. If you had Joe Monotone, you wouldn't be able to appreciate that the play he described was special. When he gets super jacked up, it is hard to understand him, like at the MACC, but he goes over it again to clear the air. BTW, I think the game was in 1982 and it was Heckman.

[Buckzip]

i think french is great

He has come a long way from being a side kick to Matt Patrick on WKDD.

[Z.I.P.]

i think french is great

He has come a long way from being a side kick to Matt Patrick on WKDD.

Gimme Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton anyday! Next time you're in San Diego check him out. The former WHLO Voice of the Zips has called play-by-play for the San Diego Chargers, San Diego State and I think the LA Raiders. A long way from the Macon Whoopies.BTW -- I'm told the night the PA announcer at Memorial Hall announced Bob Wylie's retirement, it led to the biggest cheer of the evening.

[Buckzip]

Lee Hamilton had the hokiest call in show ever.

[Captain Kangaroo]

BTW -- I'm told the night the PA announcer at Memorial Hall announced Bob Wylie's retirement, it led to the biggest cheer of the evening.

The biggest cheer ever at the JAR was when Bryan Hipsher's eligibility expired.