My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media market"

I wish this were a joke but it isn't - expectations with certain parts of the Fire have gone down like a Russian Sub in the Artic. When and what planet did Fred Huebner become a foremost soccer authority? I understand trying to get the a name many none soccer fans might know and if that's the motivation,
Mike Mulligan would have been the best choice- he used to stop by the Hidden Shamrock back in the day to watch Man Utd matches with a few of us and no I'm not a United supporter. Jim Rose would have been a great choice and he's definitely a pro-Fire media person. You've got Frank Klopas, Kenn Tomasch and that's just scratching the surface in the area. There's even a certain former women's national team player living in the area whom should have gotten the nod. Claiming that Fred is one the area's authorities is an insult to both he and soccer fans in the area.

Oh, by the way, I like Fred, I've met him and think he's a great guy and I don't think he would call himself an authority on the game. Fan, yes. Authority, nope.

What gives with Fire marketing? Please don't answer this part we may end up with a Red October theme or something (shudders).....

My50 Chicago Fire Broadcast Team announced
Fred Huebner, Chris Doran, and Sarah Kustok to call Sept. 23, Oct. 21 Dates
Chicago Fire Media Relations

Chicago Fire Soccer announced today the My50 Chicago/WPWR-TV broadcast team that will call two Fire home games for the 2007 regular season. Local sports radio personality Fred Huebner will handle the play-by-play duties and long-time Fire broadcast sideline reporter Chris Doran will join him in the booth as color commentator, while local Fox affiliate reporter Sarah Kustok will make her Fire broadcast debut with the sideline call.
Chicago Fire Soccer and My50 reached an agreement in early August to broadcast two games this season, including the Oct. 21 home finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Chicago Fox affiliate will also carry the Sept. 23 contest versus D.C. United at TOYOTA PARK. The 2007 season marks the first time in team history that every game is being televised.

"This partnership represents another milestone for the Chicago Fire, as it is the first time since the 2002 season that our games will be broadcast locally on an over-the-air network," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "We are extremely excited to partner with My50 for the broadcast of two critical games, as we continue to push for the playoffs."

Huebner, 50, is considered one of the foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media market and is one of the most recognizable soccer enthusiasts on air today. His voice should be familiar to Chicago sports, as Huebner has been with local radio station 670-AM The Score in various capacities since March, 1992. Huebner began his career with SportsPhone in Chicago, from 1977 through 1990 and joined The Score as an update anchor, before moving onto weekend host, and co-host with Mike Murphy, before his current position with The Mike North Morning Show. The Chicago native lists traveling to Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup as one of his most memorable moments in his life. Huebner continues his role on the Mike North Morning Show, which airs each week from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Monday-Friday.

Doran, 43, is currently in his sixth season as the sideline reporter for Chicago Fire regional television broadcasts. He has anchored broadcasts of men's and women's Big 10 Championships and served as a sideline reporter for Fox Soccer Channel, CSTV and the Big 10 Network. Doran is the first English radio play-by-play announcer for the Fire and the Indiana University soccer program. He holds a B license with U.S. Soccer, has coached club and high school soccer for 15 years, and provides personal training to players from the youth to the college level.

Kustok, 25, moves to broadcast team after making her mark on the basketball court for the "Blue Demons" as a player, leading the squad to four postseason appearances, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 2003 and 2004. The Orland Park, Ill. native followed her playing career with color commentary duties for DePaul radio broadcasts, worked with ESPN on their college football productions, and has also worked on the Illinois High School girls' basketball state championship telecasts as a color commentator.

"My50 has put together a broadcast team that we feel has great potential to capture the excitement of these two matches," said Fire Director of Marketing Dan Parise. "We look forward to working with Fred, Chris and Sarah to deliver a high-quality product to our fans watching the games at home."

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

If this were the case, why is Chris Doran is part of the team? He's the only person of the three whom many of us recognize and has actual soccer experience and he's been on the Fire scene for quite some time. Sarah Kustok's experience seems to be solely basketball and highlighting her DePaul basketball playing experience doesn't help in this case. Having watched this past season's IHSA basketball finals makes me cringe at the thought of her being a part of the Fire's broadcast but the cringe has more to do with the production of those telecast, hopefully she'll have better producers and direction for Fire telecasts. A Fresh team shouldn't mean those with a soccer background are not included.

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

No problem with mispronounced names, hell I expect it. I do have a Big problem with a lack of knowledge of the game. Says alot about the hosts dedication to covering the game and especially with laptops and WiFi all over the place. If this comes off similar to the Dave O'Brien (sp?) telecasts for ESPN then this is a disaster that never should have happened. Hopefully this will be a pleasant experience for us as fans.

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

I haven't seen the list of applicants, so that's debatable or was there a list?
Based on your last remark, it doesn't guarantee Fred will do a good job. We'll see,hope like hell he does. I'm not sure what you mean by knowledgeable since he's the same person that actually told me his knowledge of the game wasn't very good. I wasn't asking nor was it a concern when we spoke - this was a awhile back - we were just small talking about everything and he just blurted it out. His knowledge of the Fire and MLS is my concern. His knowledge of Ligue 1, La Liga or the Russian National team doesn't concern me nor should it be a concern as long he does a good job with the Fire, MLS (not NLS like a few local sports personalities have called it) and the rules (I'm talking basic soccer rules) then it's all good.

No kidding but there was no need to even make that statement. Who were they trying to impress?

Why? Fred hasn't hosted soccer show to my knowledge and I don't recall him doing play by play for the game, so how do you come a conclusion that leads to having Fred in the booth with Frank?

My take is that they're trying to get more hype from the SCORE which is great. A station that's gotten better as far as talking about the Fire and the game but considering what they've done in the past, this isn't too hard to beat. Hopefully this will lead to actual radio telecast in English.

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

Thanks for the info.

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

Referencing the Fire's office doesn't make me feel so confident these days, especially if it's Marketing. I honestly believe this had more to do with Fred's presence on the Score than anything else despite what the Front Office may say and hope like hell it pays off for them and us as fans. Parts of the current Front Office don't exactly have the best track record in certain areas and Marketing is definitely at the top of that list. Comparing the Score to ESPN is like comparing an Apple to an Apple, not much difference in my opinion. Both stations has mostly lousy sports shows and not because they don't talk the Beautiful Game.

No matter what, I hope this works out well for all of us and as I said earlier I like Fred. I know he'll give it his best.

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

Pudgy was actually on a Cable access show - scares me that I know this - and he was dancing, so it's too late. LOL

Carmen DeFalco? Who's your Crack Dealer? They've got good product.
I would definitely NOT tune in DeFalco were calling Fire matches. Hell, why don't we just go back in time and get Jack Edwards? We're past the "I'll settle for whatever they give me" phase in soccer media coverage. Hell, did they consider Peter Wilt? If you're going to use the phrase "is considered one of the foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media market", you'd be hard pressed to find someone who could come close to his knowledge of the game, stories and invaluable insight and that's just scratching the surface. I don't think they bothered to ask Peter and that's pathetic. Hell, his name alone would attract a number of people just to watch.

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

I actually am a tired of the sexist remarks everytime a woman is mentioned on the boards. Great, you went to H.S. with her. What credentials does she bring to the game other than the need to have her as a sideline reporter (a la ESPN)? Trying something Fresh is supposed to be part of the motivation for a different crew but it seems as though it's more a tag line than anything else.

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

When it comes to announcers probably not. You've been watching matches and supporting the game longer than most of us here, you would be the one I'd ask such a question. So, I'm asking. LOL

Fonsos

 

Re: My50 Broadcast team - Fred Huebner's "foremost soccer authorities in the Chicagoland media marke

1. New Stadium
2. Established players to build and truly create into household names
3. Great atmosphere

That's off the top of my head. I can come back with more. The argument of what have they had to work with doesn't fly and especially when you refer to 5 years into existence. The Wolves have done infinitesmally more in a shorter period of time and they started the fall of 1994, the very same year that Chicago was one of the host cities for the World Cup. Took them less than a couple of years to become a household name. The Arena Football team before Ditka became involved also has done well with Marketing and they came after the Fire and playing during a period when the Bears have just ended and the Bulls and college basketbll are the focus of sports in this town.

Funny thing is that many of us felt the same way about Anschutz when he owned the team during those first few seasons and because he only attended a few matches didn't matter to us. Quantity of games attended doesn't mean one owner is more dedicated that another. Providing resources for a team to be successful both on and off the field does and it's a reason why I like George Steinbrenner, not necessarily the Yankees but he'll do what it takes to make sure his team has a chance to win. I thought the Fire did a good job of getting the best they could during the AEG years before 2003.

Your first response made me wonder, but this response confirms, you work for the team. Kool. Instead of sparring with me, you should be working to resolve the problem. Personally, I dunno DeFalco but I've heard him on the radio and I just don't like what I hear. Heck, the only sports show I like on the radio is Mike & Mike in the morning (ESPN Radio) a National Show. Pathetic for a market like Chicago since historically good radio shows have been produced here. Funny thing is that if you're friends with DeFalco and Jurko and they're both soccer fans, why don't they talk about the game in some light on their shows? Jurko's a cohost of a show and certainly has the power to do so.

So you've brought it up, when did these auditions or interviews take place for the show? I know people whom work in the industry locally and they've told me otherwise.

Fonsos