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Rich
Bitting email: rich@blackdiamondsports.net
Rich has always loved to broadcast the game of football. From his earliest affiliations with WISL, WSPI, WMIM and WKOK to finally reaching the pinnacle of his broadcast career on the Black Diamond Sports Network. Rich has the distinct honor to say he knew Dr. Manney and Tom Ryan back in the day! Born and raised in Shamokin, Rich is a 1981 graduate Shamokin Area High School and a 1985 graduate from the Pennsylvania State University. Since moving to the Line Mountain school district in May of 1986, Rich has coached baseball at the Little League, Teener League and American Legion levels. Rich had also coached at the Pee Wee, Pony and Midget football levels within Line Mountain. As a die-hard season ticket holding Nittany Lion fan, Rich enjoys helping the less fortunate college football fans. This is the reason he has teamed-up with a very talented diehard Notre Dame fan (Don't often get to use those 2 words in the same sentence) "Ira Wren" to bring you the best Line Mountain football action on the Black Diamond Sports network! |
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Mike Carpenter email: mike@blackdiamondsports.net
A long time contributor to the education and athletic activities in the Shamokin – Coal Township area, Mike begins his second year with the Black Diamond Sports Network. He is a graduate of Shamokin Area High School and the former Public Address Announcer for his alma mater’s Jr. / Sr. High School football games. Mike is well known for his work as a member of the Shamokin Area School District Board of Education. He has been a mentor for area youth through his involvement with the Shamokin Youth Basketball League and the Anthracite Miners Junior Baseball League. Mike has served as Vice-President of the Anthracite Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and is involved in other community organizations. Mike and his wife Corrine reside in Coal Township. |
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David Fegley email: david@blackdiamondsports.net
Dave is a 2009 graduate of Southern Columbia. He was a 2-year starter for the Tiger’s football team at the cornerback and wide receiver positions and was part of the 2006 record-breaking 5th straight State Championship team. As a senior, Dave was selected to the Heartland Conference All-Star team and received the Black Diamond Sports Network’s “Diamond in the Rough” Award. Dave was also a 3-year starter and captain of the basketball team and selected to the District 4 All-Star team. He is currently attending Bloomsburg University and pursuing a degree in Math Education. He is also an assistant coach for the boy’s varsity basketball team at Southern. Dave hopes to bring his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge for sports to the booth this year as he fulfills one of his dreams by making his Black Diamond Sports Network debut. He looks forward to joining Phil and Jeff to broadcast the 6 time State Champion Tigers of Southern Columbia. |
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Ron
Grzybowski email: ron@blackdiamondsports.net
Ron
Grzybowski is a veteran of the high school and college football scenes, Grzybowski begins his 2nd year as a member of the Black Diamond Sports Network. A standout athlete at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, he played for the North Carolina Tar Heels and enjoyed a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys. His high school head coaching stops include Lourdes Regional, Cardinal Brennan and Bloomsburg high schools. He also served as an assistant at Bloomsburg and Bucknell Universities. Ron and his wife Mary Ann reside in Coal Township, PA. |
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Dr. Phil Manney email: phil@blackdiamondsports.net
Phil
Manney is a Coal Region football legend. He was the last Shamokin
player to suit up and play in the Big 33 Game. Phil is a graduate
of Brown University and the National College of Chiropractic and
has been in practice for the last 23 years. This proud member of
the Bernie Romanoski Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of
Fame has been broadcasting Coal Region football for almost 20 yearss. Prior to 2004 when he and Greg Maresca co-founded the
Black Diamond Sports Network (BDSN), Phil called play-by-play on
WISL, WSPI and BILL 95. Phil is the owner / sole proprietor of BDSN
and for the 6th consecutive season will primarily call the play-by-play
for the 6 time Class “A” State Champion Southern Columbia
Tigers. Phil will also co-host "In The Huddle with Phil &
Tom" on Saturday mornings with long time friend and mentor
Tom Ryan. |
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Greg Maresca email: greg@blackdiamondsports.net
Bio coming soon! |
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Mark Micalizzi email: mark@blackdiamondsports.net
Bio coming soon! |
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Jeff
Nevius email: jeff@blackdiamondsports.net
When one
esposes football, few are a bigger disciple than Jeff. After his
playing days at Danville Area High School wrapped up, Jeff became
a devoted fan of the collegiate game. In fact, Jeff and his broadcast
partner, Mark Micalizzi, make an annual pilgrimage to a different
college venue each fall. Moreover, Jeff has meticulously followed
the numerous high school programs in the region for the last quarter
century and volunteered his talents coaching midget football with
the Tee-Railers in his hometown. However it will be this season
that he will realize a longstanding ambition as he dons the headset
to take on the play-by-play of the Southern Area Tigers on the Black
Diamond Sports Network. |
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Ira
Wren email: ira@blackdiamondsports.net
Ira Wren is a 1980 graduate of Williams Valley high school where he was a 3 sport athlete, including football, basketball and baseball. In his senior year he helped lead Williams Valley's baseball team to its first Schuylkill League Championship. That year they were also the District 11 runner-up and finished 3rd in the State tournament. He has coached Jr. High basketball at Line Mountain the last 4 years compiling a record of 53 - 39. He has also been an assistant JV baseball coach the last 2 years at Line Mountain. 2008 was the inaugural season for both Line Mountain football on BDSN and for Ira in the broadcast booth. Ira served as color personality for the Eagles and will resume that role once again this season. |
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Tom
Ryan email: tom@blackdiamondsports.net
Tom Ryan is long recognized as the voice of Coal Region sports, he begins his 42nd year of covering high school athletics. The veteran broadcaster has been affiliated with WETV, KMTV, WISL Radio, the Pottsville Broadcasting Company and Black Diamond Sports Network. Ryan has called PIAA football, basketball and baseball, ASA softball, Eastern Professional Basketball and has hosted numerous sports talk shows. A retired teacher - Coach, he and his wife Paula Margaret reside in Ashland, PA. |
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