Thursday, January 12, 2017

On The Air: Upstate Sports Edge (2015)

Regular readers of this blog know I wear my affection for my home district virtually on my sleeve. I began covering the Tri-City Valleycats a few years ago, then added high school sports on a full-time basis two years ago.

Up until the summer of 2015, upstate New York didn't have a nightly sports show. Now, they have two. Time Warner Cable's news channel has a 15 minute program, sponsored by Toyota, that barely scratches the surface. In August of 2015, WRGB, through its step-sister channel, WCWN, got into the fray with Upstate Sports Edge, which airs Monday-Friday only, at least for now, but you have to believe there will be a bit of a clamor for extended coverage down the road as winter sports sectionals begin next month.

Host Kelly O'Donnell was recently promoted to sports director and lead sports anchor when Doug Sherman left for ESPN. Sherman's predecessor, Joe Tessitore, had gone the same path a few years earlier. Now, though, comes word that O'Donnell won't be hosting Sports Edge much longer. In one week's time, he'll be leaving to take a job in the communications department at Siena College, which will keep him close to the pulse of local sports, but now he'll be on the other end of phone conversations with current co-workers Jason Lewis & Brittany Devane, who will share hosting duties on Sports Edge beginning with the January 20 episode. Lewis has already filled in at least one night, and Devane has been a regular contributor-de facto co-host.

Following is a clip from September, with 518 Sports founder Dylan Rossiter, provided by 518 Sports' YouTube channel.



As Sports Edge approaches the 18 month mark wondering who would be a good fit as full-time host, maybe Rossiter should consider sending in an audition tape. Same goes for the local radio hosts who've been guests. It wouldn't hurt.

Rating: A.

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