Tree of Life

26 Jun

Dangerous currents: Safety protocols lacking for rafting and kayaking at Ohioplye

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 – 1:51 pm

Andrea Yealy was 16 when she hopped in a two-person inflatable kayak rented by a friend’s family on Sept. 16, 2000, at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. They paddled without a guide down a 7-mile section known as the Lower Yough.

Andrea was wearing a helmet and life jacket when she spilled out of her kayak at Dimple Rock, a notorious hazard in the river that can overturn rafts, and was swept under the water’s surface. She died.

Since her daughter’s death, Michele Yealy has turned to awareness of the dangerous of the white waters of the Youghio­gheny River at Ohiopyle.

There have been more incidental deaths along the river. Fifteen people died in the Lower Yough while rafting or kayaking between 1982 and 2022 from according to the American Whitewater database despite inquests and calls for enhanced safety protocols and more fully-guided options.

In this episode, host Zac Gibson and reporter Renatta Signorini tell the story of what happened to Andrea and her mother’s fight to be awareness to the dangers, and discuss the rough path to safety protocol changes for outfitters who offer commercial whitewater rafting trips along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

24 Jun

S11, Ep 33: Broadcast Legend Tim Brando, “Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities”, Beano Cook, Scrap Iron’s Hat, and stories from his Hall of Fame career

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 24th, 2024 – 10:01 am

In this very special edition of “Next on the Tee,” I’m joined by broadcasting legend Tim Brando.

Tim Brando has practically done it all in the world of broadcasting. He started out calling high school football games alongside his father, Hub, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His entertainment career began at the tender age of 5 on his father’s local variety show. As his career grew, he became the Assistant Sports Director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and called men’s and women’s basketball for LSU. In 1984, he joined ESPN, hosting SportsCenter and their College Football Half-Time Show. By 1996, he was with CBS Sports, calling basketball games and hosting College Football Today. He also contributed to their digital media team, broadcasting The Masters. Fox Sports came calling in 2014, and he’s been with them ever since.

Tim is also an avid golfer and a member of Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport.

In our conversation, Tim walks us through his Hall of Fame career, touching on his partnership with Pittsburgh’s own Beano Cook and the Pirates’ pillbox hat given to him by Phil Garner. He’s an amazing man who has done so much to enhance the sports we watch, thanks to his style and expansive knowledge. You can follow him on social media @timbrando.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

22 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: Fitness Expert Courtney Weber & Top QB Coach Cree Morris

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 – 11:14 am

Courtney Weber is a Level 3 Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest certified Trainer. I had the privilege of being introduced to her by Top Instructor and my gumba Rob Strano at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show. Courtney shares exercises aimed at enhancing power and explosiveness in our golf swings. She delves into Advanced Dissociation Exercises, their benefits for overall fitness, and the optimal balance between cardio, weight training, and explosive movements.

Cree Morris, a standout QB at Orange Glen High School in San Diego with his jersey recently retired, began his college career alongside Marshall Faulk at San Diego State. He recounts these experiences and offers insights into QB fundamentals, advice for NFL rookie QBs, and what made Dan Marino exceptional. We conclude with Cree discussing cherished moments on the golf course with his son and their favorite spots in San Diego.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Jun

S11, Ep 33, Pt 1: Greensburg’s Bob Ross Makes Not 1 But 2 Hole-In-Ones, TP & I Break Down the US Open, 2013 Senior Open Champ Mark Wiebe & I Look Ahead to The Open

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 – 3:17 pm

In Part 1 of this week’s show, I’m joined by our Resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri and 2013 Senior Open Champion Mark Wiebe.

At the top of the show, I give a HUGE shout-out to 77-year-old Bob Ross of Greensburg, PA. Bob made not 1, but 2 hole-in-ones during his round at Mt. Oden Park Golf Course on June 3rd. His first ace came on the Par 3 4th hole. He found the bottom of the cup using a 9 iron. Then to prove to his buddies that was no fluke, he made a second ace on the Par 3 11th hole from 142 yards using a 26-degree hybrid. Huge congratulations Bob! I hope many more of your tee shots find the bottom of the cup…#sojealous…

If you have a great golf story or you witnessed one, please share it with me at chris@nextonthetee.net

Tom Patri and I break down the US Open. From Rory’s agony of defeat to the 180 degree turnaround Bryson DeChambeau has done. What a tremendous finish we all witnessed.

Mark Wiebe shares his insights on the US Open as well. We also hear the edgier side of Mark regarding some of his concerns about the game. We also look ahead to next month’s Open. The first Open Championship that Mark played in was at Royal Troon and the first Senior Open Championship he played in was there as well. He shares some great insights on the course with us…

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Jun

Podcast: Penn State and the higher education divide

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 – 12:00 pm

Is there an impending higher educational divide?

Penn State announced the restructuring plan for its branch campuses this week. Two local branches, Fayette and New Kensington, will be consolidated under the Allegheny branch. This also comes with a 10% decrease in staff and faculty for all bridge campuses. Simultaneously, Penn State’s main campus, University Park, plans to expand to facilitate an increase in fall enrollment. 

TribLive higher education reporter Bill Schackner joins host Zac Gibson to discuss the situation.

This is From the Newsroom:

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

13 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: PGA Tour SuperStore Chief Merchandise Officer Randy Peitsch & Gof Magazine Top 100 Instructor Jeff Smith

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, June 13th, 2024 – 10:56 am

In Part 2 of Episode 32 I’m joined by PGA Tour SuperStore Chief Merchandising Office Randy Peitsch and Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Jeff Smith.

Randy is such a delightful, wonderful, very uplifting person. He’s the kind of guy you’d love to have in your foursome. He’s also a great family man. He shares heartwarming stories of times out on the course with his 3 sons and the memories they’ve made together. You’ll hear about the emergency 9 they got in when they pulled over for a restroom break while traveling and stumbled upon a great local muni. For my Yinzers out there, you’ll also hear about when he took one of his sons to Pittsburgh for a Penguins game. This segment is all about the impact golf has on our lives and the memories you make with family and friends out on the course. Memories that you’ll talk about for years to come. Randy also tells us about the hot items you can get Dad this year for Father’s Day.

Jeff Smith makes a return visit in segment 2. We hear about his new summer home at Pine Canyon, in Flagstaff, Arizona and its sister course Talking Rock in Prescott. Then Jeff and I talk about the evolution of the golf swing and putting stroke, going from the reverse-C finish and wristy putter stroke to ones now where we finish perpendicular to the ground on our full swing and the locked wrist putting stroke. We also talk about the benefits kids have by being well-rounded athletes versus focusing on one sport, Lexi Thompson’s retirement announcement, and taking out that decorative alignment stick from our bag and actually using it.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

12 Jun

From the Newsroom Podcast: The state of Pittsburgh’s inclines

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 – 2:00 pm

In this episode we’re talking about a Steel City identity staple, the Pittsburgh inclines.

The Monongahela Incline and its slightly younger sibling, the Duquesne Incline, were built in the 1870s to easily and quickly transport Pittsburghers to their destinations throughout the city.

Pittsburgh was once home to 15 inclines, or funiculars, at one time, but as time passed the railways were eclipsed by the efficiency of trolley systems and later cars.

Reporter Ryan Deto joins host Zac Gibson to discuss the state of the inclines in Pittsburgh.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

10 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 1: Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Famer Dennis Satyshur & The Confidence Doctor Dr. Bob Winters

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 10th, 2024 – 10:12 am

Dennis Satyshur is from Erie, Pennsylvania. He won the high school state golf championship in 1968. He went to Duke on a football scholarship and captained the football team plus lettered 3 years on the golf team. He began his career in golf working at Pinehurst. He later moved to Columbia Country Club where he worked for Bill Strausbaugh for 3 years. Several years later he won the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his commitment to mentoring others. Later on he became the first Director of Golf at Caves Valley Golf Club, one of the premier courses in the country.

Dennis shares stories from his time at Duke, the day he met Tom Kite, Jim Simons, and Andy North when they were all college players, how he stalked Kite to learn from him, and their friendship which led to Kite asking him to be an Assistant Captain on the 1997 Ryder Cup team. You’ll also hear about his years at Caves Valley, playing alongside members like Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, and the culture he created there.

Dr. Bob Winters makes his monthly visit to the show this week. Doc addresses what to do if we have a blow-up hole like Nelly Korda did at the Women’s US Open. He also gives insights into what sets his Asian players apart from his American players.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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