NewsChannel5 sports director Andy Baskin joins sports radio 92.3 The Fan

CLEVELAND - Listeners of the only FM sports station in northeast Ohio will hear a familiar voice coming through their speakers on Monday.

NewsChannel5 Sports Director Andy Baskin will host a daily talk radio show, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on 92.3 The Fan/WKRK with a co-host to be announced on Monday.

“I'm really excited about this great opportunity to enhance sports coverage all over Northeast Ohio,” said Baskin. “This enables us to take what we already do well in our sports department at NewsChannel5 and expand it to a sports-talk radio format.”

Baskin added that his show will be very interactive as well. “Listeners will be able to call in, as well as communicate via Facebook and Twitter,” said Baskin. “The people of Northeast Ohio live and breathe sports. They have definite opinions. The Browns, The Indians, The Cavs, Ohio State, high school football, you name it. Everyday, we’ll talk about all the things that are important to those of us who call Cleveland home.

Monday’s debut on 92.3 The Fan will mark Andy’s return to where it all began. Growing up just blocks away from that radio station in Cleveland Heights, Baskin realized that broadcasting was in his blood. “Then, when I was in college, I was able to get my first paid job at 92.3. It was back when they were a music station,” said Baskin. “I got to do a number of jobs there and tried to learn everything I could about the business.”

After graduation, Baskin made the transition to television, working first as a field producer for the ABC and CBS Networks. Later, he was hired as on-air talent by television stations in Missoula, Montana and then Columbus, Ohio. Baskin then returned to his hometown of Cleveland and was hired in 2007 as Sports Director at NewsChannel 5.

Andy is a 2011 inductee into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy Award winner. He spends his free time volunteering for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lifebanc (where he was named “Man of the Year” in 2010), and reading to elementary school children. Andy also enjoys ice and roller hockey, softball, and skiing.