Sports
Q-and-A With Gridiron Glory Host Keith Turner
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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Gridiron Glory is proud to introduce Keith Turner as its host for its upcoming 15th season.
Keith Turner Jr. is a 2010 graduate of Reading High School in Cincinnati and a senior broadcast journalism major in Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Prior to this season, he has served two years as a TVC-Hocking reporter for Gridiron Glory, making regular appearances and entertaining fans with his charisma and confidence on air.
We sat down with Keith recently to gauge his level of excitement heading into the season and get to know him a little better …
What does it mean to be named the host of Gridiron Glory in its 15th season?
Simply put, it means a dream come true and answered prayers. I have known I wanted to be the host of Gridiron since my freshman year. I remember sitting in weekly meetings watching then host Greg Glasser and I remember saying to myself, “That’s where I want to be my senior year.” But it also means hard work, dedication, and giving every fan what they deserve! I’m thrilled to serve as host!
What experience have you gained on the show in past seasons?
Freshman year I was a utility guy. I helped in every way I could with the show and learned from some great upperclassmen. Having that experience as early as my first quarter on campus was truly invaluable. In the past two seasons, I have really loved connecting with all the fans, coaches and players in the TVC Hocking. I really learned about the passion fans, players and coaches have for football in Southeast Ohio going to games the past three years, and I hope to bring the same passion to the TV screen this fall.
What makes football in Southeast Ohio so unique?
One word: "Community." I grew up in Cincinnati and I got to see some really great football. But one big difference between football in my hometown and Southeast Ohio football is how involved the community is. Awesome is a word to describe how the community supports every team, undefeated or winless. In Cincinnati many people would attend games to see a big-name player or just to be on the local news, but football in southeast Ohio is an every Friday affair rich in tradition. Hot, cold, rain or snow, the fans love football on Friday nights, and I appreciate that sense of community and family in Southeast Ohio.
What are some things our viewers can look forward to seeing in GG's 15th season?
Fans can look forward to more interaction with our team. We are really looking to connect with fans through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The content for our on air show and online (woub.org/gridiron) will be filled with the latest news and highlights. Fans can expect some of the same great coverage they've loved over the years with an even more expansive presence online and in social media.
What do you hope to bring to the show each week?
I hope to bring excitement to all of our viewers every week. I love covering high school football every Friday night and I want to bring that excitement to the screen. I also hope to interact with many fans, coaches and even players to learn more about each team we cover.
I envision our team at GG bringing great energy and enthusiasm to reporting for each league. I hope to see a lot of fans interacting with our reporters and our reporters telling the best stories of the action on Friday nights. Last, but not least, I really hope to bring some new appeal to the show. We have plans to integrate new features like "Tweet of the Week" from fans and more hashtags on Twitter, and we're very excited to launch our new Instagram account. We're keeping the same great recipe while giving fans new things to look forward to.
Finally, when can we expect to see you and the rest of the crew on our television screens?
Catch the season premiere "Preview Show" of Gridiron Glory Friday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 p.m. Until then, remember to check out our website at woub.org/gridiron for all the latest news, updates on "two-a-days" and other information. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
And remember … there's nothing better than Friday nights and Gridiron Glory!
Follow @GridironGlory and Keith's host account @GGHost_Keith on Twitter, and like the Gridiron Glory Facebook page this preseason as we countdown to the 2013 football season. We will release our Instagram account name at a later date.