THE LINEUP: 12 ‘behind the glass’ folks who help bring ESPN Audio into your life
Meet some of the people who help produce ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike, The Herd with Colin Cowherd and SVP & Russillo.
Liam Chapman, Producer, Mike & Mike
Favorite guest you’ve booked: I always enjoy booking my Mum. That’s fun, but on a more serious note, it’s always good booking that big name “A” guest that everyone wants to hear from. Some examples: Having [former Chicago Bears linebacker] Brian Urlacher the morning after he retired, [Louisville basketball coach] Rick Pitino the morning after he won the National Championship or Santonio Holmes after he won the Super Bowl with the Steelers.
Mike Urrunaga, Producer, Mike & Mike
Favorite guest you’ve booked: A tie between Wisconsin’s [men’s basketball coach] Bo Ryan after the Mikes called him out and Colts RB Trent Richardson after texting back and forth with him all weekend. He woke up, turned on the TV and saw we were talking about him and called in. Very cool.
Kristen Balboni (BalBiz), Researcher, Mike & Mike
Favorite on-air moment: When I asked the guys what Kim & Kanye [West] should name their baby and [Mike] Golic replied, “something that starts with a K . . .like Quiche!” He had no idea it started with a Q – we couldn’t stop laughing.
Brendan Peregrin (Bubba), Production Assistant, Mike & Mike
Why I love what I do: I love what I do because I can say “I get paid to watch sports” and I love working with our hosts and staff. The post-show meetings and lunch breaks together are always a blast.
Curt Kaplan (Joaquin), Associate Producer, Mike & Mike
Favorite on-air moment: Darius Rucker playing my guitar on a Hootie and the Blowfish parody song that I wrote about our fill-in host that day.
Vince Kates, Producer, The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Favorite guest you’ve booked: NBA Commissioner David Stern is one of my favorite guests to book because he’s not afraid to mix it up with Colin on the air. The most ‘fun’ way I’ve ever booked a guest? During the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat’s Mike Miller was selling his house and I lined an interview up through his real estate agent.
John Goulet, Production Assistant, The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Favorite on air moment: My favorite moment was almost when I won my bet with Colin regarding the success of “The Great Gatsby” movie. Instead I lost and had to get my beard shaved off. It became my least favorite moment.
John Lawrence, Production Assistant, The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Why you love what you do: I’ve been a fan of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” since its debut. Being a part of the team that helps create each show is a dream come true. Plus, I get a front row seat.
Ray Necci, Producer, SVP & Russillo
Favorite guest you’ve booked: La Salle’s Dr. John Giannini after my school made the tourney (and advanced to the Sweet 16) for the first time in over 15 years. We’re all fans first.
Ali Bronson, Associate Producer, SVP & Russillo
Why you love what you do: I love what I do because minus the chicken wings and adult beverages it’s like sitting at a sports bar all day debating the biggest sports topics. Who wouldn’t love it?
Steve Ceruti, Production Assistant, SVP & Russillo
Favorite on air moment: One day, Ryen had an idea to prank SVP by playing “Blurred Lines” as the rejoin music all day.
Steve Coughlin (Stanford Steve), Production Assistant, SVP & Russillo
Best on-air moment: There’s a ton, but seeing SVP and Ryen’s faces when they interviewed Doctor J, a guy they idolized as kids, that was really cool to see.
