Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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ICYMI: Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. Highlight 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special
By Neil A. Carousso
Last weekend, Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey, Jr. were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the second New York Mets and Seattle Mariners players, respectfully, to be represented in Cooperstown. I co-hosted a “Long Island Community Spotlight Special” with Basia of WRHU-FM in New York and executive produced and hosted “WRHU’s 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special with Neil A. Carousso” from the induction ceremony, both airing on induction day, Sunday, July 24 as we celebrated America’s Pastime. Guests of the “Live Special” include former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Kenny Albert of Fox Sports, WFAN’s Mike Francesa and Howie Rose, the voice of the Mets.
Featured image photo credits: Mike Piazza (Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images) Ken Griffey Jr. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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Fitness Extraordinaire Chris Ryan Unfiltered & Unedited
By Neil A. Carousso
Certified Fitness Trainer Chris Ryan sits down with me to discuss personal health & fitness, exercise habits, nutrition and NBC’s “Strong” for which Ryan trained contestants as part of the reality TV show. Ryan gives an inside look into his personal training routines for Manhattan businessmen and women plus insight into the “Strong” production and we discuss the use of supplements and training tricks allegedly and controversially used on shows like the “Biggest Loser.” This full, unfiltered and unedited interview with Ryan was conducted for an informative and entertaining feature titled “Be the Best You” – Ryan’s motto.
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How to “Be the Best You” by Successfully Incorporating Fitness into Your Hectic Schedule
By Neil A. Carousso
Exercise is extremely important for one’s physical and mental health, which Chris Ryan, certified fitness trainer and expert, emphasizes. In fact, some sort of daily fitness routine can dramatically reduce stress and combat hypertension – the leading cause of death in the United States. Ryan, a trainer on the first season of NBC’s “STRONG,” discusses how the most successful people incorporate fitness into their lives and gives me a bit of a workout as well for you to watch and emulate.
Featured image courtesy of Cameraman & Editor Nick Hintz, Carousso Enterprises.
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Mike’s On: WFAN’s Francesa Talks Belmont Stakes, His Broadcasting Future and Acquaintance Donald Trump
By Neil A. Carousso
New York sports talk show host Mike Francesa sat down with me before his annual radio show from Belmont Park, the day before the 148th Running of the Belmont Stakes. In addition to horse racing and last year’s Triple Crown by American Pharoah, we discussed his future when he leaves WFAN at the end of 2017 and I asked him if he would consider hosting a politically focused program since he takes calls about the 2016 presidential race. Francesa informed me about his relationship with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Francesa has been with WFAN-AM, now also on the FM dial, since August 1987. He co-hosted “Mike and the Mad Dog” with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, starting in 1989. Mike’s encyclopedic knowledge combined with Russo’s enthusiasm, energy and vibrant passion revolutionized sports talk radio and propelled successful careers for both Francesa and Russo. I brought up “Mike and the Mad Dog” in the context of Mike Piazza’s career, which Francesa and Russo would chronicle during their afternoon drive show during Piazza’s prime in a New York Mets uniform; however, that portion of the interview will air on “WRHU’s 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special with Neil A. Carousso,” which I will host live from the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 12 noon ET on 88.7 FM WRHU in New York, WRHU.org and the free WRHU mobile app. Piazza, who Francesa deems the undisputed “best hitting catcher of all-time,” better than Hall of Fame catchers Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk, in Francesa’s opinion, will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame while donning a Mets cap on his plaque. Ken Griffey, Jr. will be inducted into the Hall with Piazza.
Mike Francesa, considered “the biggest name in sports talk radio,” currently hosts “Mike’s On: Francesa on the FAN” afternoons from 1-6:30 PM ET on sports radio 66 and 101.9 FM WFAN New York. Francesa also hosts “NFL Now,” Sunday mornings during the NFL season.
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Leah Galton Goes Pro: All-American Hofstra Product to Share the Pitch with Soccer Icons
By Neil A. Carousso
Hempstead, NY — England native Leah Galton goes professional, making her pro debut with National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Sky Blue FC next month, after she graduates from Hofstra University where she racked up a laundry list of accolades including All-American and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference First-Team All-Star honors. Galton is also the only 3-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year, 3-time CAA Pre-Season Player of the Year; in addition, the Hofstra forward was a 2015 Mac Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist. Galton holds the Hofstra Pride program-record for points with 122 and she is tied for most assists. Number 21 has the 2nd most goals in program history, 1 goal shy of her former teammate number 19 Sam Scolarici.
“I just want to go as far as I can with Sky Blue,” said Galton, adding, “They’re my first team that ever had faith in me to go professionally.”
Sky Blue FC plays their home games at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, where, coincidentally, Galton’s stellar collegiate career ended on November 20, 2015 in a 2nd round NCAA Tournament match-up against the #2 seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The English superstar played on a torn quad, which she suffered the week before, in the 1st round against Georgetown, at the tail end of the first of two overtimes. Galton calls the 2nd round tourney game the “big moment” in her collegiate career.
“I was actually very surprised, pleasantly surprised, that she was still available,” remarked Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC Head Coach.
Galton was drafted 13th overall in the 2nd round of the 2016 College NWSL Draft. The Hofstra forward became just the second English footballer to be drafted by the American League. Rachel Daly from St. John’s University in Queens, NY was the first English footballer to be drafted, just 7 picks ahead of Galton.
“She’s one of those players has the most amount of assets that will make that transition [from Division I collegiate soccer to professional soccer] a little bit easier,” said Holly, who enters his first season as Sky Blue FC Head Coach after serving as the team’s assistant for 3 seasons.
Galton started all 4 years in the Hofstra blue and gold after being heavily recruited out of high school for a paramount role on the Pride.
Galton’s goal for 2016: “To get on the field for some game-time so, hopefully, challenge the players that are already starting and get myself on that field to play some games and score some goals,” said Galton, confidently.
Even with all the collegiate honors, Galton remains humble and understands that she has room for improvement in order to reach her ultimate career goals, which includes hours of daily on-field practice, strength and conditioning.
“…Improve myself in every way: shooting, dribbling, heading, everything I can and give [Sky Blue FC] everything I’ve got.”
