Hazen Call Airs on ESPN SportsCenter: Mitchell Slam Earns National Stage

April 22, 2014 William Hazen

CHICAGO – It doesn't take very long to know you're on ESPN SportsCenter. Play-by-play broadcaster Bill Hazen found that out within minutes after his description of a spectacular Tony Mitchell one-handed rebound and dunk hit the air last Saturday night.

“When you're on the air describing one of these games, you're usually the last one to know,” Hazen said. “But today it's a connected universe out there. So I found out from friends via Twitter, Facebook and email.”

The play occurred in an NBA Development League playoff game between the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Mad Ants' guard Matt Bouldin launched a three-point shot that hit the back of the rim and bounced high in the air. The 6-7 Mitchell streaked through the lane area, leaped and grabbed the ball at its apex, and stuffed it in with one hand. The play was selected 7th on ESPN's daily highlight feature, and it was the only play presented with the announcer's audio at full volume throughout.

“These things don't happen in a vacuum,” Hazen continued. “Tony was spectacular, and the video from our crew was very compelling. The Mad Ants are an incredible story.

“I'm particularly pleased to see the D-League drawing interest and exposure. The level of play in the league is tremendous, and there are many compelling stories to tell.”

Hazen's play-by-play descriptions have been shown on SportsCenter in the past, including previous NBA telecasts and college events. His descriptions have also been featured on NBA promos through the years, including the series entitled The NBA: It's FANtastic!

In one such promo, Chicago Bulls center Jawaan Oldham blocked three consecutive shots, leading to a fast break and basket by Michael Jordan. According to the series creators, it was the only promo to air showcasing a single play-by-play voice. The video piece ran for two seasons on CBS Television.

The ESPN SportsCenter report can be seen through the YouTube website at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCp7DgZku2Q&feature=youtu.be

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CSW's DeLisio Named to WBCA Hall of Fame

January 28, 2014 William Hazen

January 28, 2014

CHICAGO – College Sports Weekly's Gene DeLisio will be part of this year's class of inductees for the Wisconsin Basketball Coach's Association Hall of Fame. DeLisio, who has covered the “Small College Beat” for CSW since the program's inception, will enter the Hall as part of the WBCA's annual induction ceremonies in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin on September 27th.

DeLisio serves as Sports Director for two Wisconsin radio stations, WDLB-AM in Marshfield and WOSQ-FM in Spencer. He has worked with the stations since 1985 and will join a select group of broadcasters and writers inducted as “friends” of the sport.

DeLisio has honed his craft through the yearly description of over 100 play-by-play events. 49 teams he has covered have advanced to state basketball championship tournaments, with 13 of them winning titles. His play-by-play coverage has long been a fixture for Central Wisconsin listeners.

“I am very honored to receive this recognition from the WBCA”, said DeLisio. “It is very satisfying to know that one can do his best to serve his listeners every day and receive this honor.”

DeLisio will join the ranks of some of the great names associated with basketball in Wisconsin; including coaches Bo Ryan, Hank Raymonds, Rick Majerus, Dick Bennett, Tom Davis, Mike Heidemann and Harold “Bud” Foster, as well as players Jim Chones, Bill Hanzlik, Dale Koehler, Don Kojis, Jon McGlocklin and Kurt Nimphius.

DeLisio has also played a key advisory role in program development for Bill Hazen Productions, including College Sports Weekly and StadiumsUSA Radio. His broadcast insight has proven invaluable in the creation and production of these programs.

“Everyone in our BHP family is excited for Gene,” said Bill Hazen. “Our listeners certainly know he belongs there (in the WBCA Hall of Fame).

“And I think it is so appropriate that Gene be inducted as a 'friend' of the sport,” Hazen continued. “What a fitting tribute, because I can tell you firsthand through many years that Gene is a great friend!”

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StadiumsUSA Radio is On the Air!

November 17, 2013 William Hazen

CHICAGO – The debut edition of StadiumsUSA Radio is being released today for airing throughout the coming week. The hour-long sports program airs on a weekly basis.

Initially, StadiumsUSA Radio is being heard via the Internet as a syndicated radio network is created. OurSports Central (www.oursportscentral.com), America's preeminent web site covering minor league sports, is making the program available for download through its OSC Radio page. The program can also be downloaded at the popular StadiumsUSA site (www.stadiumsusa.com) and can be heard in a streaming format at the Bill Hazen Productions web site (www.billhazenproductions.com.)

Each week StadiumsUSA Radio explores the world of sports venues, ranging from stadium history to construction to renovation to community support. Listeners meet the people who design, build and manage America's most magnificent gathering places. Some of our country's most famous athletes, coaches and broadcasters share their experiences in these great athletic venues.

StadiumsUSA Radio provides continuing coverage of the latest news related to the stadium industry. Listeners learn about the new concepts driving stadium design and construction, as well as renovation efforts aimed at keeping existing facilities current and relevant.

In its debut edition, StadiumsUSA Radio reports on the development of glass athletic playing surfaces, where markings for different sports, advertising and even video can be projected onto the playing surface with the flick of a switch. StadiumsUSA Radio goes to Germany to learn about the company pioneering this concept.

StadiumsUSA Radio is the result of a collaboration between StadiumsUSA and Bill Hazen Productions. Mark Madorin is the President of StadiumsUSA, which operates the nation's largest web site specifically dedicated to American stadiums. Madorin, a former college coach, can also be heard weekly with his analysis of the industry in a segment entitled Talking Shop.

StadiumsUSA Radio follows the same successful format and concept used in the popular College Sports Weekly program (also produced by BHP). Each week StadiumsUSA Radio goes in-depth on a major story within the industry. Program host and creator Bill Hazen interviews athletic officials, management, architects and celebrities making news. Each program showcases one of the nation's great athletic facilities, and listeners learn what makes it unique. StadiumsUSA Radio also goes back in time regularly to explore vintage stadiums and their contribution to sports and the community.

StadiumsUSA Radio also covers stadium news occurring on the minor league and small college level, where some of America's most beautiful and innovative stadiums are found. Sportscaster Dean Jackson of WOWO Radio in Ft. Wayne, Indiana covers this beat.

Keith Hoehne serves as Executive Producer for StadiumsUSA Radio and directly oversees program production. He also provides vital contributions in the areas of segment production and development. He is heard directly on interview segments and serves in a contributing on-air capacity.

Samuel “Bo” Carter is the Coordinating Producer for the program. Carter, who served as Sports Information Director for both the Southwest Conference and the Big 12, is universally respected for his media savvy in athletic circles.

Bill Hazen Productions is a company specializing in the creation, production and distribution of sports-related programming. Stadiums USA Radio is the fourth radio program in the BHP portfolio, including College Sports Weekly, Today in Conference USA, and Talking Conference USA Football and Basketball. Currently 45 radio stations carry programming from Bill Hazen Productions.

For further information, contact StadiumsUSA.com at 630-889-6030 or Bill Hazen Productions at 773-724-1351.

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Start Date Announced for StadiumsUSA Radio, OurSports Central Airing New Program

November 11, 2013 William Hazen

November 11, 2013

CHICAGO – A new sports program, StadiumsUSA Radio, will debut on Monday, November 18th. The hour-long program will air on a weekly basis.

Initially, StadiumsUSA Radio will be heard via Internet download as a syndicated radio network is created. OurSports Central (www.oursportscentral.com), America's preeminent web site covering minor league sports, will make the program available for download through its OSC Radio page. The program can also be downloaded at the popular StadiumsUSA site (www.stadiumsusa.com) and can be heard in a streaming format at the Bill Hazen Productions web site (www.billhazenproductions.com.)

Each week StadiumsUSA Radio will explore the world of sports venues, ranging from stadium history to construction to renovation to community support. Listeners will meet the people who design, build and manage America's most magnificent gathering places. Some of our country's most famous athletes and coaches will share their experiences of competing in these great athletic venues.

StadiumsUSA Radio will also provide continuing coverage of the latest news related to the stadium industry. Listeners will learn about the new concepts driving stadium design and construction, as well as renovation efforts aimed at keeping existing facilities current and relevant.

In its debut edition, StadiumsUSA Radio will report on the development of glass athletic playing surfaces, where markings for different sports, advertising and even video can be projected onto the playing surface with the flick of a switch.

StadiumsUSA Radio is the result of a collaboration between StadiumsUSA and Bill Hazen Productions. Mark Madorin is the President of StadiumsUSA, which operates the nation's largest web site specifically dedicated to American stadiums. Madorin, a former college coach, will also be heard weekly with his analysis of the industry in a segment entitled Talking Shop.

StadiumsUSA Radio will also cover stadium news occurring on the minor league and small college level, where some of America's most beautiful and innovative stadiums are found. Sportscaster Dean Jackson of WOWO Radio in Ft. Wayne, Indiana will cover this beat.

Samuel “Bo” Carter serves as the Coordinating Producer for the program. Carter, who served as Sports Information Director for both the Southwest Conference and the Big 12, is universally respected for his media savvy in athletic circles.

For further information, contact StadiumsUSA.com at 630-889-6030 or Bill Hazen Productions at 773-724-1351.

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College Sports Weekly Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

October 21, 2013 William Hazen

CHICAGO – This Friday Bill Hazen Productions will distribute a special one-year anniversary edition of College Sports Weekly, celebrating the first year of the highly-acclaimed series. A group of special guests and features are planned for the show's 53rd airing.

The program's lead story will focus the famous football play known as the “Fumblerooski,” which the University of Nebraska used to win a national championship in 1984 with an Orange Bowl victory over the University of Miami. How Nebraska coach Tom Osborne discovered this play is a fascinating story which has never been told. Former Northern Illinois and Oregon State football coach Jerry Pettibone, a former assistant coach with the Huskers, will share his account of how it happened.

On the topic of national championships, North Dakota State football coach Craig Bohl knows all about them. His Bison are two-time defending FCS national champions, going for three in a row this year. Bohl will tell CSW listeners how North Dakota State has become a football power.

As always, listeners will hear media and conference executive Rex Lardner Talk Shop about this week's inside news in college athletics, as well as the media that cover it. Multi-award winning sportscaster Gene Delisio will provide his weekly coverage of the Small College Beat. Listeners will also hear from the people who make College Sports Weekly possible, including Executive Producer Keith Hoehne and Coordinating Producer Bo Carter. The presentation will also include some humorous moments from the program's first year.

“There's no doubt we've had a lot of fun with College Sports Weekly, said creator and host Bill Hazen. “The program has matured into a unique and compelling mix of reporting and storytelling.”

College Sports Weekly debuted on October 26th, 2012. The first guest on the program was Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the BCS.

“I've always felt there was a place for this kind of program,” Hazen said. “We're growing, and I'd like to thank our listeners and stations for making it possible.”

College Sports Weekly is produced and distributed by Bill Hazen Productions. For further information, visit the BHP web site: www.billhazenproductions.com.

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