Upcoming Season

[Chris WHBC1480]

Hi folks,

My name is Chris, and I work as a sports announcer with WHBC. I'm really pumped because I learned today that I will be covering Massillon Tigers football this season for the station. I'm taking over for Dave Sheets, who is moving over to the TV booth.

Part of the reason why I wanted to come to work in Stark county is because of the proud tradition of high school football in the area, especially in Massillon! I do know, however, that I have a lot of catching up to do, being a young guy, and relatively new to the area.

So I thought I would post here and get some of your thoughts about the upcoming season. Anyone who wants to give their impressions of the Tigers, maybe impact players to watch out for, key games in the schedule, anything and everything that will help to make my broadcasts better.

And if anyone knows of any other good websites to visit about Tigers football, please let me know! And feel free to send me tons of messages, or emails, or stop me and say hi at the games.

Once again, I'm really happy and consider myself fortunate to be involved with Tigers football, this season and beyond!

[obiefan]

Thanks Chris for introdicing yourself... I'm looking forward to meeting you. Make sure you make it out to atleast one of our tailgates. We advertise them here in TTT, and all are welcome.

Cmon out and meet us!

Go Tigers!

[Chris WHBC1480]

Thanks obiefan, I'm always up for a tailgate, if the bosses let me get to the game early enough, I'm sure I'll be at plenty of them!

[LakeCountyTiger]

Welcome aboard...You have come to the right place...You will love following this team and getting to know these people from this great town. I'm an out of towner myself but it didn't take long for me to feel like a local as I'm sure they will with you too. The way I look at it it, you have the #1 job in the country...Congrats to you!.. LCT

[massillonmarine]

Does that mean that Dave Sheets is taking over for the high school students that try to give it their all?

[Al.]

Does that mean that Dave Sheets is taking over for the high school students that try to give it their all?

WHBC TV not WHS TV

[Chris WHBC1480]

I do know that our TV football games this year, which Dave will be the pxp guy for are, moving to a different channel with a signal that reaches Akron and Cleveland. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure which (I believe channel 23 is the new home). I'll find that out and let you guys know, but we won't be shutting out the high schoolers.

[Tiger paw]

Chis,you might want to post on Canton McKinley's web-site as well.Wait until you learn of this rivalry(#1 in the Nation) between Canton and Massillon!!

Welcome aboard

[Chris WHBC1480]

Tiger paw,

I was actually fortunate enough to see a Massillon/McKinley game in 2001, which was Zwick's last season if I remember correctly. Unreal is all I can say about that experience, but I was still an outsider looking in. I'm really looking forward to emmercing myself in that. I won't be involved in that broadcast, as our main crew of Sammy B and Joe will call that game. But I'll be there I hope!

While I'm on the topic, WHBC will be covering all the Massillon home games this season, plus the McKinley game, as per past seasons. Right now we have an Indians game on Sept 29th when the Tigers play St Ignatius, and if the pennant race is still as close as it appears it will be, we will carry the Indians game that night for obvious reasons. So hope the Tribe gets it together and opens up a large enough lead where that game will be meaningless so we can head to Cleveland for that game!

The only other road game against Holy Name in Parma we also won't cover, as of right now. But I might mention to the boss that I wouldn't mind heading to Byers Field for that one. But that's his call to make, not mine.

[Chris WHBC1480]

And one more thing before I finally head to bed....

To those of you who are displaced Tiger fans....

We are working to get free webcasting going at some point this season on the station's website. For those of you who know how our broadcasts work, we try to cover as many of the 20 area schools as we can each night, so it won't be all Massillon all the time, but if you want to get back in touch with listening to the games around the area, you can do so by going to www.whbc.com.

We would have liked to have the webcasting for the start of the season, but everything in radio moves slow, but it will be ready by the time the Tigers are ready for the playoffs!

[obiefan]

That's cool! However, we're also going to be broadcasting all of the Massillon games right here on MassillonProud.

Your broadcast when it's with the Tigers will be an added benefit to our full time broadcast!

Go Tigers!

[CarlE]

Welcome aboard, Chris. You are now fortunate enough to be associated with the most renowned high school football program in the world!!!

[longtimefirsttime]

Welcome Chris. I used to work with both Sam Bourquin and Jim Albright. Tell them I said hello!

[Al.]

The only other road game against Holy Name in Parma we also won't cover, as of right now. But I might mention to the boss that I wouldn't mind heading to Byers Field for that one. But that's his call to make, not mine.

The game is against Parma Normandy, not Holy Name.

[Tiger Don]

Chris,

Welcome aboard. And say hi to Dan Belford for me.

I'll see you in the press box after each game when I go for the stats and we can share thoughts.

Tiger Don

[The Voice]

Hey Chris; welcome aboard. I too, (as others here on MP.com) have worked at WHBC over the years. My broadcast partner, Todd Bentzel and yours truly will be providing live internet play by play coverage of every Tiger game this year. We began this last year because we saw a need to provide this service to many of our Tiger faithful who live and work abroad. Not to mention, it is a great opportunity to bring our men and women who serve in our armed forces home for a couple of hours on a Friday night. Our network is called 'T.S.N.', which ofcourse stands for the TIGER SPORTS NETWORK. We will also go LIVE from Rockne's in downtown Massillon after every Tiger game with the TIGERTALK POST GAME CALL IN SHOW; allowing folks to call in and talk about the game. TIGERTALK is now in its third year. We're looking foward to meeting you in the press box, and by all means, please stop by and join us on TIGERTALK after the game,(if you have time). Good luck Chris, and send Sammy my congrat's on being the new head sports honcho.

J. david
TSN = TIGER SPORTS NETWORK
aka TV

[TigerCoach]

Chris,

Welcome aboard to Massillon proud. Tell us something about yourself. Where from, did you play in high school? You seem excited to cover the Tigers, just wondering why you don't have a background already?

[Chris WHBC1480]

Thanks again for all of your comments, and for making me feel so welcome! It really means a lot to me as the new guy in town to have people who are so welcoming.

It's also good to know there are several outlets out there for Massillon fans to get their sports fix, especially those of you serving our country, or anyone who has moved from the area. I'm a little familiar with the type of work that people like those folks at the Tiger Sports Network do, and a lot of the time, those guys provide those services in addition to their own full time jobs, and they should be commended on that! Obviously, we would like to have as many listeners as possible, but we're not oblivious to the fact that there are many ways to enjoy the Tigers broadcasts if you aren't able to make the games.

Tiger Don, are you the same guy who calls into Stark Sports Live on Saturday's? I feel like I've heard that name before.

[Chris WHBC1480]

Hi coach, I lived in Cleveland and went to college at Cleveland State for a few years. I transfered to Bowling Green when I was 21 where I majored in Journalism and History. I graduated in May 2006, then moved back to Cleveland for a few months, before I landed my first full time job last August in Green River Wyoming. Living in Wyoming was an experience that warrants more time than any message board can deliver.

I never was never fortunate enough to play sports, God didn't bless me with the type of frame or athletic ability, but I've always loved sports, and people always told me I had a good radio voice, so I figured I would go with what I know, and get into broadcasting.

So around April this year I knew I wanted to get back closer to home, and I took a shot in the dark and emailed WHBC to see if they had any openings. Around that time Jim Johnson announced he was going to retire, and since Sammy was going to take his spot they needed a new afternoon guy. In broadcasting you have to get lucky sometimes, and I sure did! I was hoping to work someplace in Ohio, but I never in a million years dreamed that it would work out that I would get to work in this area. As I've said before I feel very lucky and fortunate to be where I am, and I'll admit I'm still a little in awe of it all.

[The Butler]

Tiger Don, are you the same guy who calls into Stark Sports Live on Saturday's? I feel like I've heard that name before.

I called in week before last and won a College Preview (nice mag). I enjoy listening to that show and it should be great during football season.

[TigerCoach]

Have you ever met Keno Sultan? He is a local media guy too, about your age. I'm sure you two could share some good stories.

[longtimefirsttime]

Chris, check your PM's.

[Fats]

Welcome Chris

You can check out the movie "GO TIGERS". It has a great newsreel from the glory days of Massillon. Also, the book Massillon Memories is a great one for tidbits about the Tiger Program. I believe one of are own MassilloProud posters is the author.

Again Welcome to TigerTown.

[Tiger Don]

No, I'm not the guy that calls in on Saturday nights. I'm too busy drafting the game story for Massillon Proud.

[Chris WHBC1480]

I sure haven't met Keno yet, but I'm sure our paths will cross soon! And I'm planning on buying the movie and the book as well, if either are sold here or somewhere locally let me know.

And Butler, I have a copy of that magazine you won. It's a really great preview book. We had the guy on that writes it, and he can rattle off stats like no one I've ever met before. It's called "Phil Steele's College Football Preview" for the rest of you, and we'll probably be giving more of them away on the show this Saturday from 10 until Noon.

In fact, I'll tell you what. The first person who calls in the show Saturday and tells me that you posted on this board, or sent me an email will get a free copy (just give your username on here so I can verify).

You guys have been great, so I'll do what I can to hook you up when I can!

[massillon catholic]

I sure haven't met Keno yet, but I'm sure our paths will cross soon! And I'm planning on buying the movie and the book as well, if either are sold here or somewhere locally let me know.

And Butler, I have a copy of that magazine you won. It's a really great preview book. We had the guy on that writes it, and he can rattle off stats like no one I've ever met before. It's called "Phil Steele's College Football Preview" for the rest of you, and we'll probably be giving more of them away on the show this Saturday from 10 until Noon.

In fact, I'll tell you what. The first person who calls in the show Saturday and tells me that you posted on this board, or sent me an email will get a free copy (just give your username on here so I can verify).

You guys have been great, so I'll do what I can to hook you up when I can!

You may also want to get the DVD of the 2005 and 2006 highlights. I think they can be purchased on this site.

[xtiger]

Chris, welcome to MassillonProud, and THE Tiger Nation! I know
you'll enjoy your stay! Welcome to "The Greatest Show in High School football!"

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

Chris 1480WHBC,

You will be welcomed with open arms, the same open arms that Massillon fans extended to me. I hope to meet you and soon...I have been busy putting in resumes and do have an interview lined up at this time slated for Friday.

I have been blessed to come across so many Massillon fans as they have given me memories that I will always cherish and you too will have your share of memories that you will cherish. Plus, if you walk into the Luther Emery pressbox, I can promise you that the experience in that facility is the best I have ever been across because of the time and effort the people in that box put in to make sure reporters enter and leave that place happy. Massillon's media relations is everything you will expect of it and trust me, you would not want it any other way and I can rely on my experiences to forward this to you.

I wish you all the forceful best and I hope our paths do cross each other and soon!

[tiger4life]

Welcome Chris!

[thaporch]

Chris,

I am a former WHBC employee as well. Though it's not my favorite station to listen to monday thru thursday, WHBC owns friday night radio in stark county in the fall.

Massillon is an awesome football town. I'm a Perry fan, and root rabidly for Perry, but the Massillon experience is really cool. I love playing them just because of the crowd noise alone.

I'd consider it a privilege. They will treat you very well over there.

[Chris WHBC1480]

thaporch,

Man who hasn't worked for 'HBC in this county? I definitely do consider it a privilege, and I can't think of any place I'd rather be right now!

[Kenny M.]

Chris-1480WHBC, welcome aboard! You will love the Massillon experience. Many of us out-of-towners dearly miss it and envy your new job! I'll log on to the various Massillon Internet broadcasts so I can get my Massillon Tiger -- and Massillon Tiger Swing Band -- fixes. Best wishes to you, and as stated previously, the Tiger fans will open their arms and hearts to you.

[Chris WHBC1480]

Kenny,

So far it appears they have! I sure didn't feel this welcomed when I worked in Wyoming last football season, but that's another story for another day.

Thanks again for the comments!