Radio and TV Coverage of YSU Athletics

Gameday Broadcasts

Audio

Mike Orto, Robb Schmidt and Drae Smith sit at a media table during a radio broadcast of the YSU Men's Basketball game vs. Oakland on Jan. 27, 2023.

The radio home for Youngstown State athletics is Youngstown's NewsRadio 570 WKBN, an iHeartMedia station. YSU broadcasts are also carried on the iHeartRadio App.

Bob Hannon has been the voice of Youngstown State Football since 1989. Hannon, a long-time sportscaster in Youngstown, is now the president and chief professional officer of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way. Steve Leslie serves as the color analyst, and Anthony Romo patrols the sidelines for reports from the field. Mike Orto, as always, is the on-site broadcast engineer. Football broadcasts begin an hour before kickoff with the "YSU Tailgate Show" hosted by Ron Potesta. Then, following the "Post-Game Show," fans can voice their opinion on the “Fifth Quarter Call-In Show," which is also hosted by Potesta.

All YSU men's and women's basketball games can be heard across the iHeartMedia network on NewsRadio 570 WKBN or The Gambler 1390 WNIO, iHeart.com and the iHeart app. Robb Schmidt has been the dedicated play-by-play voice of the Youngstown State Men's Basketball program since the 2002-03 season, while Drae Smith became the main voice of YSU Women's Basketball in 2019-20. Smith had previously served as the play-by-play radio talent on the road for four seasons, and he was the play-by-play voice on ESPN3/ESPN+ for home games.

During the 2026 YSU Baseball Season, the Penguins' home games in May were broadcast on 1390 WNIO, iHeart.com and the iHeart App. Youngstown State sports broadcasting major Tony Perazio handled the primary play-by-play duties from 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood in Niles, Ohio.

Video

Mady Aulbach and Anthony Romo sit courtside wearing headsets for a Youngstown State Women's Basketball game broadcast during the 2025-26 season.

Many Youngstown State athletics teams have the luxury of having their games streamed on the ESPN family of networks on ESPN+.

Play-by-play voice Drae Smith and color analyst Chris Sammarone have been calling YSU home football games together on ESPN+ since 2019. Smith, a two-time YSU graduate, is also the radio play-by-play voice for the Youngstown State women's basketball team. Sammarone is a member of the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame and started three years at center for the Penguins from 1992-94. He helped lead his hometown team to national titles in 1993 and 1994 and a National Championship game appearance in 1992.

Anthony Romo serves as the main voice for the volleyball, softball and women's basketball broadcasts on ESPN+. Romo teamed up with Mady Aulbach, a former point guard, All-Horizon League Defensive Team and team captain for the Penguins, to call women's basketball games in 2025-26. During volleyball season, he teams up with former Penguins coach and Athletics Hall of Fame Member Joe Conroy to call the action. For men's basketball broadcasts, Robb Schmidt's radio broadcasts are simulcast on ESPN+.

Feature Shows

Penguin Playbook Radio Show

Fans can go inside the huddle on Monday nights from 5-7 p.m. on The Gambler 1390 WNIO and the iHeartRadio app with "Penguin Playbook" presented by Southwoods Health. The shows are live each week from the Quaker Steak & Lube locations in Austintown and Boardman.

During football season, fans can listen as head coach Doug Phillips and Penguins' radio play-by-play broadcaster Bob Hannon break down the previous week's game and preview the upcoming match-up. The insightful show gives fans an early look at what lies ahead for the Guins. Student-athletes and coaches from YSU's Olympic Sports will be featured during the other hour with YSU Assistant Director of Athletics Communications Drae Smith and YSU Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant Anthony Romo.

At the conclusion of the football season, the focus turns to basketball with YSU head coaches Melissa Jackson and Ethan Faulkner. The radio show includes conversations with both head coaches as well as student-athletes, coaches and support staff from each program. The show is hosted by men's play-by-play voice Robb Schmidt and Smith, the women's radio play-by-play voice.

Three Youngstown State women's cross country runners sit at a table with headsets on before an interview with Anthony Romo on Penguin Playbook.

Tailgate Show Tailgate Show on 570 WKBN

Game day coverage of Penguins football starts an hour before kickoff with the "YSU Tailgate Radio Show" prepared by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. Local sports personality Ron Potesta hosts the show from the Gault Heating and Cooling M-70 tailgate lot before each home game, and at Double Bogey’s at The Bunker in Boardman when the Penguins are on the road. The show features interviews with special guests, previews of the upcoming opponent and any breaking news that may impact the game.

Fifth Quarter Postgame Show

After each YSU football game, both home and away, fans can call in and talk Penguins football on NewsRadio 570 WKBN.

The "Fifth Quarter Call-In Show courtesy of Bryant Heating and Cooling" features final statistics, scores from around the FCS world, callers and special guests.

"Penguin Gameday" on 21 WFMJ

Fans can get an exclusive look at the YSU Football Program by watching the weekly coach's television show, "Penguin Gameday," on 21 WFMJ.

During football season, head coach Doug Phillips joins 21 WFMJ Sports Director Dana Balash every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. for a preview of the week's upcoming opponent, player interviews, and special segments. The 30-minute show is live on location and features all aspects of Penguins football.

Penguin Gameday is presented by Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown.

Youngstown State University

Schedule