Telich Talks

David Gilbert is the president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland sports commission and Destination Cleveland. He has helped spearhead the process of bringing dozens of big time sporting events to the city. NBA All-Star game, MLB All-Star game, the Women’s Final Four back in 2007 and coming up in 2024. …. the Pan-American Masters games in 2024….the NFL Draft and the Republican national convention in 2016. Gilbert is an unabashed promoter of the city and has a knack for bringing people together to get things done and put our city in a positive light.

Akron, native and former Fox 8 broadcaster Mike Dipasquale is covering the Lionel Messi Miami invasion for WSVN TV in Miami. He has a solid professional relationship with owner David Beckham. ( see episode cover art). Mike has insight as to what it’s been like as the iconic athlete comes to the MLS. Dipasquale, himself, is an accomplished athlete, having represented the United States in Masters Olympic, lifting, and also in the sport of bobsled. He has held the American Olympic Master record in the 89K class. We are former colleagues

Jen Knott is the founder of Rec2Connect, a non profit that looks to utilize fully, inclusive recreational therapy programs to connect people with and without disabilities and their families to community recreation, wellness, and lifelong leisure skills. Rec2Connect.org . It’s a Northeast Ohio endeavor in 7 counties. On Instagram at @rec2connectfoundation

Daryl Ruiter has covered the day-to-day operations of the Cleveland Browns for the last 16 years. He has been in the Cleveland media for several decades. On top of his Browns duties,He also covers the Cleveland Guardians and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ruiter is a member of the Pro Football Writers Association of America and hosts a Browns related podcast on Audacy with Andy Baskin called “It’s Always Game Day In Cleveland.”

Legendary sportswriter Bob Randazzo (Roberts) “ The Railbird” has had a storied career writing sports, mostly of horse racing . He covered every Kentucky Derby from Secretariat forward. Add to that several World Cups and more. And now, he’s a podcaster, teaming up with his daughter Maria Randazzo, who is a writer for Jon Stewart and does standup and improv. Listen to their pod “ Hey Dad, with Maria and Bob Randazzo on all your favorite platforms. And…this is my 100th episode of Telich Talks

John Voso, inspired by his little nephew, Richie White, who battled cancer for nearly half of his 4 years on earth, wrote a book detailing the journey of 23 individuals, both grownups and children . The project led to the publishing of the book “ Todays Heroes’ Surviving with Style” Voso, a former pro bowler, suffered a stroke 3 years ago. He talked about how bowling helped him regain his mobility and how it culminated in one magical day at the lanes. www.JohnVoso.com #cancer

Pam Rickard is a marathoner and ultra marathoner who serves as an inspiration to many through her work with the Herren Project. Rickard spoke to me May of 2019 on episode 16 of my podcast. She details how she had 3 dui’s and wound up in jail before she got sober. As director of active engagement, she has grown Team Herren Project in a vibrant community of more than 1,000 teammates nationwide. ( cover photo via Boston Marathon)

Chet Mason is the head basketball coach at Brush High school in Northeast Ohio. Recently, he was on the coaching staff for Team USA under 16 squad that won the Americas competition down in Mexico. Mason has an extensive international background as a professional player and began his basketball career as a star at South high school, and then Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Ohio. A good number of his Brush star players have gone on to play at the next level. This is his second appearance on the pod. Episode 40, in October, 2019 was the first.

Camryn Justice is a tv sports reporter at WEWS TV in Cleveland, Ohio. From her early years playing football with the boys , she’s always pushed the envelope. How did she work her way onto the air? Her story is one of determination and hustle . You can find her on social media at @camijustice

Sandy Alomar, Junior is one of the greatest players in Cleveland Indians baseball history. A six-time all-star, who helped fuel the baseball Renaissance in Cleveland in the early 90s remains with the organization as first base coach. We discussed the origins of his career, the great times in the 90s And how Cleveland baseball can move forward with Jose Ramirez and this year‘s team.