Former Head Coach Tom Amstutz to Join Rocket Sports Radio Network as Analyst
Friday, July 23rd 2010 @ 7:12 PM
TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo and Rocket Sports Properties announced today that former Rocket head football coach Tom Amstutz will be joining the Rocket Sports Radio Network as color analyst for all UT football games this fall.
Amstutz, who compiled a 58-41 record as head coach from 2001-08, will make his debut with veteran play-by-play announcer Mark Beier in the Rockets' home opener vs. Arizona on Friday, Sept. 3.
"This is a great opportunity for me to stay involved with a football program and university that have been a big part of my life ever since my days as a student," said Amstutz. "I'm looking forward to the upcoming football season, and also looking forward to working with Mark Beier, who is one of the best play-by-play men in the business."
UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien said that Amstutz will be an excellent addition to the Rockets' radio production.
"Tom's coaching knowledge and familiarity with our program make him an excellent fit for our radio broadcasts," said O'Brien. "I think our fans will really enjoy the broadcast team of Tom and Mark Beier."
Except for a three-year stint as an assistant at Navy from 1987-89, Amstutz has lived in the Toledo area his entire life. He attended Whitmer High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He played football at UT, graduating with a degree in physical education in 1977. He served as an assistant coach at UT from 1977-86 and again from 1990-2000 before taking the reins as head coach in 2001.
In his eight years as head coach, Amstutz won Mid-American Conference championships in 2001 and 2004, and MAC West Division crowns in 2002 and 2005. He led his team to four bowl appearances, including victories in the 2001 Motor City Bowl and the 2005 GMAC Bowl.
About the Rocket Radio Sports Network
The 2010 football season marks the second season of the Rocket Sports Radio Network presented by University of Toledo.
The rights holder for Rocket sports, Rocket Sports Properties (a property of Learfield Sports), secured the University of Toledo as the naming sponsor in a new three-year partnership beginning in 2009. The partnership provides UT and UTMC with naming rights to the radio network for football, men's basketball, women's basketball and coaches shows.
In 2009, Rocket Sports Properties created a regional network that carries University of Toledo football and basketball games throughout Ohio and Michigan. The network includes flagship station WSPD (AM 1370) in Toledo; WDTW (1310 AM) in Detroit; and WJMO (AM 1300) in Cleveland. WCWA (AM 1230) in Toledo also carries UT women's basketball games.
The 2010 season will mark the 44th year that Rocket football games will be broadcast on WSPD. WSPD, which has a continuous 5,000-watt signal, has broadcast UT football and basketball games for all but one year since 1965. For every Rocket football game, WSPD will carry a two-hour pre-game show and a 30-minute post-game show.
Mark Beier, the "Voice of the Rockets," enters his 16th season as play-by-play announcer, while former Rocket head coach Tom Amstutz debuts as the color commentator for football games.
News Release By: Paul Helgren, Toledo Athletic Media Relations
