Krispinsky talks his way into jobs

The area broadcaster has made inroads by working
various positions for several media outlets.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — For Chad Krispinsky, serving as weekend sports anchor and sports reporter for 27 First News, and the studio host of Clear Channel Radio’s Fifth Quarter, the call-in show after all YSU football games, is truly a dream come true.

Getting the opportunity to showcase his talents, however, took plenty of perseverance and salesmanship.

Rejection came more often than encouragement as he tried to get his foot in the door, sending out a multitude of resumes upon graduation. While each resume was earmarked with a different purpose, covering a cross section of media establishments in a variety of markets was primary.

Schooling

A Youngstown native (he is a 1996 Cardinal Mooney High graduate), Krispinsky honed his skills at Ohio University, earning his broadcast journalism degree from its highly acclaimed telecommunications department in 2000.

His initial exposure to the Valley came in 1999 when he applied for and was selected as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ public address announcer during its inaugural season. It’s a time in his life that he will always cherish.

"To be chosen as the PA announcer during the Scrappers’ first season was really special. That one assignment led to another opportunity and the rest as they say, is history,” Krispinsky said.

Rick Love, YSU Associate Athletic Director for marketing, heard Krispinsky and when the Penguins football team was in the middle of their playoff run in the late 90’s, and someone was needed to do play-by-play for its basketball teams, it was Krispinsky that Love called upon when there was a shortage of coverage.

“I had always wanted to do play-by-play so I welcomed the opportunity to sit behind the microphone for YSU. It was then that I really felt like things were coming together for me professionally,” he stated.

Answers call

At about the time he was receiving his master’s degree in sports administration from Kent State, he received a call to serve as the in-studio host for the Cleveland Indians’ Extra Innings post-game show on its flagship station, WTAM, Radio 1100-AM.

He has served in that capacity since the 2004 season, but his role has been cut back recently due to his added duties with FOX 17⁄62.

In his upgraded role at the latter, he serves as the play-by-play announcer for all of its high school, YSU football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, Scrappers and Mahoning Valley Thunder “Game of the Week” broadcasts.

"It has really been fun to draw those weekly assignments. You get to see a myriad of athletes on display at the various levels of competition,” he said.

“I feel very blessed to be where I am today. Besides, this is a sports hotbed and I love being right where I am at this point in my career,” he added.

Additionally, Krispinsky is employed as an instructor in the Speech and Communications Department at Youngstown State.