Two Former Fighting Illini players to rejoin Illinois family as the newest members of the radio broadcast team
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – Illinois Athletics and the Fighting Illini Radio Network, under the direction of Fighting Illini Sports Properties, have inked Martin O’Donnell and Carey Davis as the newest members of the Illini Football radio network. The group has also added WRPW-FM 92.9 in Bloomington-Normal to the affiliate lineup broadcasting Fighting Illini football and men’s basketball.
O’Donnell started at offensive guard from 2004-07 and helped lead the Fighting Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl during his final season. The 2007 First-Team All-American and team captain took on the color commentary role with the radio broadcast team starting with the 2015 Spring Game. He will be heard during all home and away Illini football games.
After a stint in the NFL playing with four teams including the Super Bowl XLIII Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Davis returns to the sidelines in Champaign as the Fighting Illini Radio Network sideline reporter. The former starting fullback helped the Fighting Illini to a 2001 Big Ten Championship and Sugar Bowl appearance, and can be heard this season from the sidelines of all home and away Illini football games.
“We are especially excited to welcome these two former players back to Champaign as the newest members of our broadcast team,” said Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. “These two guys are part of the family and know what our athletes are experiencing each week on the field. They will do a great job connecting the game and our fans listening on the Fighting Illini Radio Network and online at FIGHTINGILLINI.com.”
“Martin and Carey will be two great additions to the broadcast team this season,” said Fighting Illini Sports Properties General Manager Chris Andrews. “These two will do a great job breaking down the game, especially for our fans that will be listening on our newest affiliate station we have added this year.”
In addition to signing O’Donnell and Davis, the Fighting Illini Radio Network has signed an agreement with WRPW-FM 92.9, beginning immediately with the 2015-16 football season. The FM News/Talk station will broadcast all home and away Illini football games and weekend men’s basketball games to fans in Bloomington and Normal, Ill. They will also clear all of the football and men’s basketball coaches shows and the Daily Show.
“Cities 92.9 is very excited to add The Fighting Illini to our lineup,” said Great Plains Media, INC Market Manager, Megan Zimmer. “The response from our clients and our entire staff has been amazing. We look forward to a long lasting partnership.”
Fighting Illini Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights and sponsorships for nearly 100 collegiate institutions and associations. The company also titles the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, and represents collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas for their respective multimedia rights and sponsorship initiatives. Learfield offers these partners with professional concessions and ticket sales, licensing and trademark consulting, digital platform expertise and venue and technology systems through its owned companies. To learn more about its history, businesses and job opportunities, visit www.learfieldsports.com.