Fans used to hearing Ed Weir’s touchdown calls during Marist football games are in for a treat this summer, more than a month before the team takes the field.
That’s because Weir, known primarily as the radio voice behind Marist College football and basketball, will be calling the action live on the scene at the Hudson Valley Empire State Games from July 27-31.
“It’s great, it’s like our own version of the Olympics,” he said. “And to have it right in our back yard, it’s fantastic.”
This year, NewsTalk 920, WGHQ AM, a member of the Hudson Valley Clear Channel cluster of stations, will be one of the local news sources broadcasting from the various games venues, and plans on providing live and taped updates throughout the day and evening.
And Weir is pleased to be the one describing the action.
“We’re going to be going out, covering events up close and personal and trying to jump on stories as they happen,” he said.
A 27-year veteran of local news coverage, Weir is no stranger to on-location reporting, but being able to cover the games in the Hudson Valley has given him, he says, “more of an anticipation. I’m excited. I want to get going.”
Clear Channel News Director Cameron Hendrix is coordinating coverage of the various events, and plans to broadcast on-air updates at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., as well as coverage and previews that will run throughout the day.
“We’re real proud to be involved in the games, and it’s the kind of excitement we want to share with our listeners,” he said. “And with so many venues involved, we have a chance to really share with listeners and convey the excitement of the athletes. There’ll be lots of enthusiasm, lots of goals, and we hope we can pass that on.”
The station also plans to provide live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies, which Weir described as “dramatic” and “full of excitement.”
“Most of the people competing are involved because of a love for the game,” he said. “That makes this a remarkable event for them.”
Action on the field
For his part, Weir, a high school baseball umpire, is looking forward to the competition on the diamond when the events get under way.
“Empire State Games baseball is always tremendous competition,” he said, “and with the local teams doing so well this year (both Roy C. Ketcham and Spackenkill High Schools won state titles), Dutchess County baseball is strong.”
But, he says, covering the entire competition will be a thrill, because “the non-traditional games are exciting, too, and each one gives flavor to the coverage.”
Hendrix says the decision to assign Weir as the special correspondent wasn’t difficult.
“That’s why Ed is so good,” he said. “He can focus the news, but he lets the sports and the athletes do the talking.”
The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel will serve as the “nerve center” for local coverage, according to Weir, but he plans on logging his share of miles covering the events at area colleges and fields.
“We’re trying to make sure we’re giving coverage to all the sports, and it’s a little nerve-racking,” he says.
But Weir adds that the Hudson Valley is a prime locale for Empire State Games competition.
“We have world-class facilities here,” he said. “The Hudson Valley has done a great job planning for this.”
Hendrix is also pleased with the way planning has gone so far.
“We’re pulling together a strategy of putting together coverage for everything,” he said. “It’s going to be very exciting.”
Clear Channel of the Hudson Valley is the official media sponsor of the games. For results and updates, check www.clearchannelhudsonvalley.com.