High school football in Western, Pennsylvania kicks off tonight and so too does KDKA Radio's extensive coverage of its award-winning on-air and digital coverage of the KDKA Radio - Allegheny Health Network Sports Medicine Game of the Week.
Entering its fifth year, the station is now the official radio home of the WPIAL. Additionally, KDKA Radio has expanded its coverage to include a comprehensive pre-game show, game broadcast, and extended post-game show featuring a new lineup of on-air talent and expert contributors.
"Our high school sports platform is celebrating its fifth year and continues to explode," said Senior Vice President Michael Spacciapolli. "Since the conclusion of last year, we've entered into a long-term agreement as the league's flagship station. This has allowed us to expand our programming footprint while adding the best broadcasters and foremost experts to pair with the most creative and innovative digital content creators around, further solidifying KDKA Radio as the unquestioned leader in high school football in Western, Pa. The best part is, we are just getting started."
Spacciappoli revealed that veteran TV and radio broadcaster Paul Alexander joins the Friday Night Lights team as pre-game and post-game host. Karlo Zovko from the WPIAL Insider will join Paul as co-host of the newly launched program WPIAL Tonight, presented by Par Mar Stores.
Alexander begins the night's coverage on-site at the Game of the Week with the KDKA Kickoff Show at 6 p.m. before concluding it with the rapid-fire, comprehensive studio postgame show with Zovko. WPIAL Tonight will provide highschool football fans with up-to-the minute results from every game from around the WPIAL, as well as coach and player interviews, reaction from experts and reports from correspondents throughout the league. The show airs until 11 p.m. and will be a must-listen for fans driving home from stadiums.
In addition to amassing a large following with 'The WPIAL Insider,' Zovko has extensive experience covering the WPIAL and has deep ties and connections to the area. Zovko will also bring insights from his time in major college football working on the staffs at Duquesne and Toledo as well as the last six years at Pitt.
"Paul has a great passion for high school sports and is an established and talented broadcaster," said Spacciapolli. "Pairing him with Karlo, who has deep connections and incredible insights on recruiting provides a passionate fanbase with a program that they've never had before."
Shelby Cassesse has been named to the game broadcast crew as sideline reporter, joining veteran announcers Dan Zangrilli (play-by-play) and 'Coach' Johnny Lee (color analyst), who each return for the fifth season behind the mic. Cassesse, an award-winning reporter for KDKA Radio, also has extensive sports reporting and hosting experience at 93.7 The Fan, as a KDKA-TV/CW Nightly Sports Call panelist and serves as an on-camera contributor to Steelers.com.
"Shelby's resume and talent speaks for itself," said Spacciapolli. "With passion and knowledge for sports, coupled with a great gift for storytelling, it made her a natural fit to join an accomplished announcing team."
WPIAL football fans may have already noticed even more content at the direction of Audacy-Pittsburgh Social Media Director Cale Berger's work on KDKA Radio's Instagram, Twitter and Facebook platforms. Recently, Berger and award-winning multimedia videographer Ben Tenuta, debuted "Inside Camp" features that provided the station unprecedented access to the reigning WPIAL and PIAA champion Belle Vernon and Pine-Richland football programs, showcasing to fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the effort it takes to defend a state title. Berger and Tenuta will unveil additional, unique and innovative content on these platforms that is among the best in the nation.
"Cale and Ben are widely recognized as the leaders in digital content in Western, Pa," said Spacciapolli. "As they continue to lead the way, our listeners and followers will not be disappointed in what we will provide and plan to provide."
Longtime Post-Gazette high school sports editor Mike White will also expand his contributions to KDKA Radio. In addition to serving as guest for the two-hour Thursday Night Quest for the Best show. White will also add extensive expertise with appearances on the station's pre-game and post-game broadcasts
