Tag Archive for: Penguins

ADDING GRIT TO A DYNASTY

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KANSAS CITY MO- In the heart of Youngstown, Ohio, where football is more than just a game but a way of life, Donald D’Alesio first fell in love with the sport playing flag football for the YMCA. Surrounded by a community bursting with talented athletes striving to turn dreams into reality, Youngstown was the perfect breeding ground for D’Alesio’s passion for the game.

As he progressed through his high school years at Cardinal Mooney, D’Alesio honed not only his skills on the field but also his championship mindset. At Mooney, football isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life ingrained with a winning culture that shapes players into champions.

By his junior year, D’Alesio’s talent had begun to catch the eye of recruiters, signaling the start of a journey focused on football like never before. However, even as his career gained momentum, D’Alesio remained rooted in the values instilled by his upbringing in Youngstown—a city known for its resilience and grit, earning it the moniker “Grit City.”

After a stellar collegiate career at Youngstown State University (YSU), where he continued to impress both on and off the field, D’Alesio caught the attention of coaches who saw not just a player, but a potential coach in the making. With an offer to join the coaching staff while pursuing his master’s degree, D’Alesio embraced the opportunity to transition from player to mentor.

D’Alesio’s coaching journey took off like a whirlwind, with stints at prominent programs such as LSU before ultimately finding his place with the Kansas City Chiefs. Joining a franchise synonymous with success and crowned with the title of a dynasty, D’Alesio’s impact was felt immediately.

Amidst the glitz and glamour of Super Bowl victories and the accolades of a powerhouse franchise, D’Alesio has remained grounded in his Youngstown roots. He brings with him the grit and determination of his hometown—a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

In Donald D’Alesio, the Kansas City Chiefs have found more than just a safeties coach; they’ve found a leader who embodies the spirit of Youngstown—a spirit defined by resilience, hard work, and an unyielding pursuit of greatness. As he continues to leave his mark on the NFL landscape, D’Alesio serves as a shining example of how a small-town upbringing can shape a football dynasty.

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YOUNGSTOWN STATE BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH SHANE DAVIS

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LOUISVILLE, ,KY-  In a recent episode of the YSN podcast, host DJ Yokley sat down with Youngstown State University’s baseball assistant coach, Shane Davis, to discuss the unique challenges and experiences of being a pitching coach.

During the insightful conversation, Shane Davis shed light on the stress and mental preparation that goes into coaching pitchers, likening the role to that of a corner man in boxing. He emphasized the importance of managing personalities and ego, particularly in today’s digital age where players are constantly under public scrutiny.

Davis also touched on the impact of fatherhood on his perspective, highlighting how it has influenced his coaching approach and provided him with a sense of perspective and balance.

The discussion wasn’t all about baseball, as Davis shared his thoughts on recruiting and the talent pool at Youngstown State, emphasizing the learning curve for players transitioning from high school to Division I baseball. Additionally, he revealed his favorite dishes to enjoy while traveling for games, including the necessity of having grits in the south.

The episode offered a rare glimpse into the multifaceted world of coaching and the personal growth experienced by individuals within the sport. Listeners were left with a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in college baseball and the dedication required to succeed at this level.
The YSN podcast continues to provide engaging and insightful content, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the diverse personalities and stories within the world of sports.

Shane Davis, also brought a blend of humor and wisdom to the episode, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating his return to the podcast for future discussions.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the YSN podcast for more captivating interviews and in-depth conversations with prominent figures in the sports industry.

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YSU BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH-  YSN recently featured Youngstown State University (YSU) baseball coach, Danny Bertolini, discussing the upcoming season and the team’s preparations. Host DJ Yokley spoke with Bertolini about the team’s prospects and some key players to watch out for in the upcoming season.
In the episode, Bertolini emphasized the team’s focus on health and preparation, especially after the challenges faced due to injuries in the previous season. He highlighted the efforts put into strength training and conditioning by the team’s new strength coach, Drew Davies, which has contributed to the team’s improved health and readiness for the upcoming season.

The discussion also covered the team’s preparations, including their outdoor training sessions at Eastwood and Kafaro Field, taking advantage of the milder winter weather this year.

Regarding the team’s upcoming trip to Texas for the season opener against Texas State, Bertolini expressed the importance of these trips for team bonding and providing valuable experiences, particularly for players who have not previously traveled extensively.

Bertolini also offered insights into the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of academic excellence and playing the game the right way as key factors in identifying potential recruits for the team. He also stressed the team’s relentless and versatile playing style, with an emphasis on speed, strategy, and team bonding.

The episode concluded with lighthearted banter and Bertolini sharing personal insights about his family, including his excitement about welcoming a new addition in July.

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RAY COMMITS TO PLAY AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE

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AUSTINTOWN OH- Ayla Ray was one of the most electric softball players in the area in 2021. After following that up with an impressive summer travel season, Ayla has found a home to end her recruitment. Ray has officially made the decision to continue her academic and athletic career at Youngstown State University.

In 26 games played in the 2022 softball season for Fitch, Ray hit .591.  She had 52 hits in 88 at bats and also gathered 18 RBI.  She was almost an automatic run when on the base paths scoring 48 times on the season.  Ray also was an elite defender surrendering only 2 errors at shortstop and ending with a fielding percentage of .944.  Ray is going into her junior year at Fitch with a lot of momentum, and softball fans everywhere can’t wait to see what she does next.

FROM A PENGUIN TO A JAGUAR

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JACKSONVILLE FL- Youngstown State Mens Basketball fans will have fond memories of Naz Bohannon. His 6’5 232 pound body dominated the paint inside the Beeghly Center. From bullying his way past defenses, to hitting game winning shots, Bohannon left his mark on Youngstown.

Grit City taught Naz plenty of life lessons during his time with the Penguins. His biggest lesson though was the relentless work ethic he developed. They call it Grit City for a reason after all. Naz was always putting g in the work to better his craft. And because of that, it was constantly opening doors for him to further his career. He spent his 4 years at YSU accumulating over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career. After his fourth season with the Penguins, Bohannon took his fifth year of eligibility at Clemson to expose himself to even greater competition. The Tiger program had the same grit and hard work first type of feeling that Youngstown State did.

After going through his season with the Tigers, Naz was approached with an opportunity to return to the sport of football. Bohannon was a tight end in high school in Lorain.  There was no way he could pass up the opportunity to put himself in front of teams and give football a shot. Especially since it wouldn’t effect his ability to go back to basketball if it didn’t work out. But it did indeed work out as the Jacksonville Jaguars came knocking. Last week the Jaguars signed Bohannon as a tight end as well as three other receivers.

Youngstown could not be more proud of all Naz has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in his career. He left a legacy on the Penguins basketball program that echoes in the locker room to this day. A lot of Penguins might just have to lean towards the Jaguars this fall. Bohannon joined YSN’s Running Point this week to talk about his journey. You won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with Naz Bohannon.

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YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH COLE PETERSON

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Colleges are starting to wrap up the spring semester and pretty soon summer football camp will begin. No one is more excited than Cole Peterson for this time of year as you can always find him roaming the sidelines bringing the energy at Stambaugh Stadium for the Penguins on Saturdays!

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down with the newest member of the Youngstown State Penguins football coaching staff, Cole Peterson, to talk about some of the excitement around the program and upcoming season, as well as, what made Cole want to be a member of the YSU staff, what it’s like to become the next college coach in his family following in his father’s footsteps, and much much more!

NOTHING IS SAFE FROM NASONTI’S RANGE

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- To have a good outfield in baseball, you got to have guys that can chase down anything. The YSU Penguins are oozing with talent when it comes to their outfielders. But it all starts with their super senior Lucas Nosanti. Lucas has Range to patrol any part of the field you’d like. Last season, we saw him make a multitude of plays that didn’t seem possible. He looks to build off that ride with a positive 2022 campaign.

The Champion grad is no stranger to winning. His senior season at Champion the flashes won the state championship. He still holds on to several single-season records in Champion as well. Flash forward to now, he is shining just as bright as a Penguin. Last season, he batted .253 and knocked in 14 RBI. Even more impressive he did not commit a single error in center field in over 130 chances. He is a .251 career hitter and brings 47 career RBI into this season.

Lucas sat down with Richie Juliano and Anthony Romo this week ahead of the Penguins opening weekend. He talks with them about his goals this season, reflections on his career so far, and much more. Don’t miss our first Penguin player profile on YSN.

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YOUNGSTOWN STATE BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- Baseball time is finally upon us. The Penguins gear up for another season in Grit City coming off one of the program’s most successful campaigns. Last year, the Penguins finished with a record of 32-24. They also won 19 games inside their home stadium of Eastwood Field. That home wins mark is the highest the program has ever seen. This season, they come back with even more experience. The Penguins roster features 13 seniors, and they are all hungry to build off of last season’s success.

Head coach Dan Bertolini is heading into his sixth season as the skipper of the Penguins. He has had more than enough time to instill a culture and standard into the program. And what a culture it is! This team never gives up no matter the challenge. That’s a direct reflection of their head coach.

Richie Juliano, and Anthony Romo had the chance to catch up with Dan Bertolini before the start of the season on Friday, February 18th against Bethune Cookman. He talks with both of them about the outlook of the 2022 season, his goals for the first series of the year, and much more. Don’t miss our first Coach’s Corner of the season with Dan Bertolini

 

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YSU BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- YSU is coming off a week where they may have only gathered one win in the win column, but they definitely opened some eyes with their performance on the field. They played four games in Louisiana. Two against LSU, and two against Nichols State. The Penguins won one game on the weekend, on Sunday they salvaged the series with a win over Nichols 7-4. They competed well against 11th ranked LSU, and in the second game against the Tigers, they needed a walk off home run to beat the Guins.

Dan Bertolini called in to Running Point this week to recap the games in Louisiana, a preview of the week ahead, and much more. Ron Potesta, and DJ Yokley have some fun with the YSU skipper and you won’t want to miss it. Epiosde 2 of Coach’s Corner with Dan Bertolini is live.

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YSU BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- Yes fans, its true baseball is back in grit city! It’s been a long time since we have been able to see the Penguins on the baseball diamond. YSU gets things started this year with a road trip to Troy, Alabama to face the Trojans. The skipper of the Penguins Dan Bertolini is just as excited as we are to start the season. He called in to YSN’s Running Point this week to preview the opening series in Troy.

Coach bertolini will be calling in to Running Point every Tuesday at 2:00 throughout the season to recap the weekend before, and preview the upcoming games.

YSU plays four games over the weekend in Troy. The schedule is as follows

Friday 7:00 ET

Saturday 2:00 & 5:00 ET

Sunday 1:00 ET

All games will broadcasted audio only on YSN.

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