Youngstown State University

NewsRadio 570 WKBN: The Radio Home of YSU Athletics

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

Play-by-play announcer Bob Hannon returns as the voice of Youngstown State Football. Hannon, the president and chief professional officer of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, has been behind the mic since 1989. Steve Leslie returns 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.

All YSU men's and women's basketball games can be heard across the iHeartMedia network on NewsRadio 570 WKBN, The Gambler 1390 WNIO, iHeart.com and the iHeartRadio 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.

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.

• Radio Show Schedule

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.

YSU Baseball on YSN Live

Youngstown-area sports website Your Sports Network (YSNLive.com) has served as the radio partner for Youngstown State baseball games since the 2019 season. In 2024, YSN streamed the Penguins' entire home slate at Eastwood Field as well as many road contests and each game in the Horizon League Baseball Championship. YSU sports broadcasting major Tim Corso handled the primary play-by-play duties during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

"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.

Penguins on ESPN+

Many Youngstown State athletics teams have the luxury of having their games streamed on the ESPN family of networks on ESPN+ and ESPN3.

Play-by-play voice Drae Smith and color analyst Chris Sammarone are in their seventh season calling YSU home football games in 2025. 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.

In 2024-25, YSU Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant Anthony Romo was the main voice for the volleyball, softball and women's basketball broadcasts. Romo teamed up with analyst Ron Potesta to call the action for YSU women's basketball in 2024-25. For men's basketball contests, Robb Schmidt and Potesta's radio broadcast was simulcast on ESPN+.