Drive by the Rules. Keep the Privilege.

Did you know that 16-year-olds have the highest crash rate per mile driven of any age group and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens aged 16 to 18? In partnering with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), FOX Sports Ohio hopes to raise awareness for National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 18-24) and promote smart and safe driving practices among Ohio’s teens.

FOX Sports Ohio and ODPS asked teens to create and submit a video telling their friends why it’s important to follow safe driving practices and incorporating the slogan “Drive by the Rules. Keep the Privilege”.

Here's just one of the 50 videos we recieved from Ohio teenagers. This one was created by students of Orange High School:


All videos that followed the guidelines will be posted on FOX Sports Ohio’s social websites: www.facebook.com/foxsportsohio and www.youtube.com/foxsportsohio and will run on the air during high school football games. ODPS will select one winning video to run during a Cavs game!

Exits in Grande Style

During the final Reds game of 2009, FOX Sports Ohio broadcaster George Grande, the television play-by-play voice of the Cincinnati Reds for the past 17 years, announced he is opting out of the final year of his contract. After a 45-year career in the broadcasting business, Grande has decided to conclude his current role as a full-time Reds announcer to spend more time at home.

“The last 17 years have been a wonderful ride with FOX Sports Ohio and the Reds, but I have decided to opt out of the final year of my contract to spend more time closer to home,” said Grande. “I've enjoyed every minute with my friends at FOX, the Reds and so many fans who have made our time in Cincinnati fantastic. Both FOX and the Reds have great leadership and direction. I fully expect to see the Reds and FOX celebrating a trip to the World Series in 2010, and I will be rooting them on!”

Here's our release as posted on Lance McAlister's website, Redleg Nation: http://redlegnation.com/2009/10/05/george-grande-opts-out/

Thursday Night Lights

High School Football Game of the Week returned on FOX Sports Ohio in both Northeast Ohio and Southern Ohio this fall. Once again, the network has been bringing live coverage of state-wide high school football action between celebrated rival match-ups into local living rooms.



In Northeast Ohio, we partnered with http://www.ohiohssports.com/ where the games are streamed LIVE. High school football fans from all over can now watch the games and interact with our broadcast through online chats. We have seen online participation from fans all over the nation, include California and Alaska.


We also partnered with This Week in Football, Ohio's only weekly football preview publication. Each week, the features the week's high school match-ups, highlighting FOX Sports Ohio's state-wide games and providing a preview from members of our broadcast teams.

Speaking of broadcast teams, new additions to this seasons teams include past Cleveland Brown Hanford Dixon as game analyst and WKNR's Kenny Roda as host of FOX Sports Ohio Live pre-game show in Northeast Ohio.Ray Crawford joined the Southern Ohio team as host of FOX Sports Ohio Live, presented by Grange Insurance.

Intern Insider

MEET THE FSOHIO FALL 2009 INTERNS!



Brent Beck Graduate Intern
Education: Kent State University
Major: M.A. in Sport and Recreation Management
Expected Graduation January 2010
Undergrad: Miami University
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
My FSO Experience: Working for FOX Sports Ohio has been an amazing experience. My favorite moment so far was the production tour at The Q before the pre-season Cavs game against Greece Olympiacos!


Stacey Boyer Production Intern
Education: The Ohio State University - Bachelor's degree June 2008
Major: Communication
Ohio Center for Broadcasting Expected Graduation December 2009
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
My FSO Experience: I have had the opportunity to assist at High School Football games of the week, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena. My favorite tasks as an FSO intern so far has been coming up with feature ideas for the Cavs. I am most looking forward to working with my fellow interns on the promotional commercial for the FSO internship program in the near future.

Anna McGuire Marketing / PR / Ad Sales Intern
Education: John Carroll University Major: Communications / Marketing Expected Graduation May 2010
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
My FSO Experience: There is never a dull moment at FOX Sports Ohio. I have really enjoyed my experience at FSO working with the marketing, public relations, and ad sales departments. My favorite experiences have been the promotions at the Northeast Ohio High School Football “Game of the Week” and the production tour at The Q!
John McLendon Marketing / PR / Ad Sales Intern
Education: Baldwin-Wallace College
Expected Graduation May 2011
Major: Marketing/International BusinessHometown: Canton, Ohio
My FSO Experience: My FSO experience has been amazing, being able to learn from such a great group of people and I would recommend any student to apply for this opportunity. The methods I am learning in the classroom have gone hand in hand with things I am learning on the job, which has helped me apply my knowledge in both areas. The work experience has also help build an excellent resume for when I am out of the classroom and searching for a job.

Paige Watson Production Intern
Education: Baldwin-Wallace College
Expected Graduation May 2010
Major: Broadcasting/Mass Communications and Public Relations
Hometown: Carey, Ohio
My FSO Experience: I have enjoyed my time so far at FOX Sports Ohio. I have learned a lot of new things behind the scenes, and enjoy working with all the professionals. I am involved in the productions of High School Football "Game of the Week", pre-game and post-game shows for Columbus Blue Jackets, and The Cleveland Cavaliers games at Quicken Loans Arena.

Our New Team for Your Blue Jackets

After a record-breaking season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, FOX Sports Ohio is excited for the 2009-2010 Blue Jackets season.

Joining the Blue Jackets broadcast is John Michael, former play-by-play voice and host for the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters. He serves as the broadcast’s in-game reporter, providing player and coaches’ interviews. Bill Davidge is the color analyst for the games, joined by Jeff Rimer, returning as the play-by-play voice.

A new aspect for this season’s coverage on FOX Sports Ohio is the addition of the Jackets’ first ever road pre-game and post-game shows anchored from the FOX Sports Ohio studio. The road pre-game show is hosted by Ray Crawford joined from site by Michael and the game talent.

For home games, pre- and post-game shows are airing live from Nationwide Arena. Jeff Hogan returns as host of Blue Jackets Live pre-game edition, working with Davidge as co-host, and Michael hosts the post-game show.

You Better Recognize


Facebook and Twitter continue to be all the craze, and we're doing some fun stuff to get our fans involved on the FOX Sports Ohio Facebook and Twitter pages.

The network recently launched SUPER FAN on Facebook. We're recognizing fans who contribute above and beyond to make our page the great growing sports forum it is. Each week, we're selecting one fan who has stood out; one fan who has contributed to the page with insightful and respectful opinions; one fan who is a loyal and true fan of our teams.

FAN FEEDBACK has also been a great addition to our Facebook and Twitter presence. We've been posting questions surrounding a hot topic and watching our fans sound off. What makes Fan Feedback especially fun is involving our broadcasters and Bubble Tweet, a neat Twitter application where a video pops up on the twitter post. Here's a sample of one of our bubble tweets!

Back to School? Text for CASH!

FOX Sports Ohio, FUEL TV and Time Warner Cable teamed up to help support families with children as they headed back to school.

FOX Sports Ohio’s “Back 2 School Aid” presented by FUEL TV and Time Warner Cable gave fans the chance to win $150 cash and a prize package. During select September Cincinnati Reds games, we provided a Back 2 School Aid “keyword.” Fans entered to win by sending the “keyword” via text message.