750th Edition of Today in Conference USA Airs Friday

September 26, 2013

CHICAGO – The flagship daily radio sportscast of Conference USA reaches a major milestone Friday with its 750th broadcast. Since February 1st of 2010, the program now known as Today in Conference USA has provided continuing daily sports coverage of the conference and its member institutions.

Today in Conference USA is produced and distributed by Bill Hazen Productions. It remains the only daily conference syndicated radio sportscast in Division I athletics. Twenty-one radio stations within the C-USA service area carry the program, while another fourteen stations air the companion weekly broadcast of Talking Conference USA Football and Basketball.

Originally known as the Conference USA Daily Update, the program had been airing only to an Internet audience. Bill Hazen Productions took over the daily report on February 1st, finishing out the 2010 season exclusively on the Internet.

Hazen believed the program, now featuring enhanced coverage and improved production values, would work effectively in radio syndication. Conference USA approved the plan, and the Conference USA Station's Group was born. Originally, the group was composed of a dozen radio stations. It has tripled in size since then.

“Today in Conference USA was our first college radio production,” said Hazen. “I believed that C-USA had a wonderful opportunity to be a leader among Division I conferences in radio syndication. And a daily conference sportscast would give fans a chance to learn more about all of the conference schools.

“Conference USA was very receptive to the idea,” Hazen remembered. “Back when the conference was based in Chicago, I had visited a number of times with Rex Lardner, Russ Anderson, Brian Teter and Erika Amstadt Hirshfield about this concept...that was back in the late '90's. Russ and Erika still work with the conference and were fully up to speed when I brought the idea forward again in 2010.”

Over 750 broadcasts, Today in Conference USA has covered the stories of every C-USA school in every sport. Listeners have heard the voices of nearly 3,000 athletes, coaches, administrators and broadcasters sharing their conference experiences.

“On a number of our stations, we've been on the air as long as many members of their own staff,” said Hazen. “It's great to be a part of the family now!”

For those who can't hear the program over the air, it is posted for listening daily at www.conferenceusa.com and www.billhazenproductions.com.

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StadiumsUSA Takes the Air Through BHP

September 24, 2013

CHICAGO – The popular StadiumsUSA web site (www.stadiumsusa.com) is serving as the inspiration for a new syndicated radio program, StadiumsUSA Radio. This weekly hour-long program is the latest in a series of syndicated programs created, produced and distributed by Bill Hazen Productions (www.billhazenproductions.com).

Each week StadiumsUSA Radio will explore the world of sports venues, ranging from stadium history to construction to renovation to community support. Listeners will meet the people who design, build and manage America's most magnificent gathering places. Some of our country's most famous athletes and coaches will share their experiences of competing in these great athletic venues.

StadiumsUSA Radio will also provide continuing coverage of the latest news related to the stadium industry. Listeners will learn about the new concepts driving stadium design and construction, as well as renovation efforts aimed at keeping existing facilities current and relevant.

StadiumsUSA Radio is the result of a collaboration between StadiumsUSA and Bill Hazen Productions. Mark Madorin is the President of StadiumsUSA, which operates the nation's largest web site specifically dedicated to American stadiums. Site visitors will find all kinds of information on over 2,500 stadiums, including ticket prices, parking information, overhead pictures of each stadium, historical information and other interesting facts.

“As President of StadiumsUSA.com, I am excited to begin our affiliation with Bill Hazen Productions.” said Madorin. “StadiumsUSA Radio will provide a unique look at many aspects involving the facilities used for sports activity.

“The StadiumsUSA staff hope to bring the thrill of visiting a sports event to your radio. It is our pleasure to work with a proven top-notch professional like Bill Hazen.”

Bill Hazen Productions is a company specializing in the creation, production and distribution of sports-related programming. Stadiums USA Radio is the fourth radio program in the BHP portfolio, including College Sports Weekly, Today in Conference USA, and Talking Conference USA Football and Basketball. Currently 45 radio stations carry programming from Bill Hazen Productions.

“Without question, this will be our most innovative broadcast production to date,” said Hazen about the new program. “There's nothing on the air which covers the ground this program will cover.

“Mark Madorin has a great concept and a great team in place. A good look through the StadiumsUSA.com web site will reveal exactly what we have in mind. We believe radio is a medium very well suited to telling the stories about America's sports venues.

“All of us understand the stadium experience, the sense of community we share in these magnificent structures. We remember the great moments collectively. This program will explore what gives these gathering places their unique signature. And, our news coverage will keep listeners informed on new projects and the latest ideas in stadium design. Big or small, we will cover it all!”

The start date for StadiumsUSA Radio will be announced later. The program should take the air in November.

For further information, contact StadiumsUSA.com at 630-889-6030 or Bill Hazen Productions at 773-724-1351.

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BHP Resumes C-USA Syndication Today: Station Group Grows to 34

CHICAGO – Today Bill Hazen Productions begins its fourth year of producing and distributing Conference USA radio sports programming. It begins with the the feed ofToday in Conference USA, a daily sports report covering the conference and its member schools. The weekly Talking Conference USA Football/Basketball program will resume production a week from Friday.

Conference USA radio programming began initially as an Internet-only undertaking, airing through the C-USA web site. When BHP assumed production of the daily report, a plan was developed to create an over-the-air radio syndication throughout the Conference USA service region. The network has grown steadily, with 34 stations now carrying C-USA programming.

"This is an exciting time for all of us,” said creator and host Bill Hazen. “Not only is our network growing, but I sense great enthusiasm for our C-USA programs as they return to production.

“Conference USA is the unchallenged leader in conference radio syndication. It's great for the schools, and fans throughout the conference can keep up on C-USA sports headlines wherever they happen to be. These programs are particularly designed to tap into the incredible power, portability and value of radio.”

Hazen returns for his fourth year as host of both programs. Keith Hoehne, Executive Producer for Bill Hazen Productions, returns for his second year to oversee segment production.