Destroyers games to air on Columbus Sports Network

Published on March 19, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, announced today that seven of the club's Arena Football League games will air on Columbus Sports Network (CSN) beginning with this Saturday's home opener against defending AFL champion Chicago. The Destroyers vs. Rush contest will be CSN's first televised live event. CSN will also broadcast a weekly magazine show, Destroyers Digest, providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the team and the AFL.

"We are pleased to partner with CSN to provide our fans the opportunity to follow the Destroyers throughout the season," said Jim Renacci, Destroyers Partner and Managing Board Member. "Given CSN's local sports focus, we feel it is the perfect home for Destroyers programming. Beyond the game broadcasts, we're looking forward to working with CSN to bring our fans closer to our league, team and players through the in-depth coverage CSN will provide in our weekly show and each pre-game show."

Providing play-by-play for the Destroyers on CSN will be veteran local sports reporter Randy Rhinehart. For 25 years, Rhinehart has done television play-by-play for high school state football, basketball and soccer championships. A veteran of over 2,000 sporting events called, Rhinehart has been the voice of the Ohio high school basketball championships over the last two years.

Joining Rhinehart in the broadcast booth will be former Ohio State quarterback Greg Frey. The only OSU quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons, Frey will provide color commentary for all Destroyers games. The former OSU signal caller played for the AFL's Cleveland Rockers in 1993 and called Destroyers action last season on FSN Ohio.

Former Ohio State defensive back Gary Berry will serve as the sideline reporter for CSN. Berry, a graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School, played for the Buckeyes from 1996-1999 appearing in 47 games and accumulating 201 tackles, seven interceptions and three sacks. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

"CSN is delighted to be covering the Columbus Destroyers," said John Ertmann, CSN President and General Manager. "Arena Football is a fast, exciting sport that is rapidly gaining a strong following. With our outstanding broadcast team of Randy Rhinehart, Greg Frey and Gary Berry, we know the Columbus Destroyers will gain even more fans in central Ohio."

All CSN broadcasts will be preceded by a 30-minute pregame show hosted by CSN lead anchor Ray Crawford. With a career spanning 15 years, Crawford has covered sporting events at the local, state and national levels. He has delivered sports locally to viewers of WCMH (NBC 4) and was a member of an award winning sports staff at WSYX (ABC 6)/WTTE (FOX 28). Among his accolades, Crawford has won an Emmy (2000), was honored by the Associated Press as part of the Best Sports Operation (2000) and was recognized for Best Sports Feature (1995). Crawford will host the weekly magazine show, Destroyers Digest.

Beginning March 24, CSN will be broadcast on Time Warner Mid-Ohio Division on Channel 78, on the Insight cable system on Channels 78 and 524, Channel 97 on the WOW cable system over the air on Channel 32.

WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Season tickets for the 2007 season are now available starting at $99 by calling (877) COLS-AFL or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. Also for a limited time, fans may purchase a special season ticket package that includes two season tickets, two replica AFL footballs and two Destroyers hats for $198. Single game tickets are now on sale at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The Bluelines at all Chiller Ice Rinks and all ticketmaster ticket centers. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

DESTROYERS ON CSN SCHEDULE

Saturday, Mar. 24 vs. Chicago Rush 7 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 30 vs. Georgia Force 7 p.m.

Saturday, Apr. 14 vs. Austin Wranglers 7 p.m.

Friday, May 4 vs. New York Dragons 7 p.m.

Friday, May 11 vs. Grand Rapids Rampage 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 26 vs. Dallas Desperados 7 p.m.

Friday, June 8 vs. Kansas City Brigade 7 p.m.

*Pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m.

(All Times Eastern and are subject to change.)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 19, 2007


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