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LEOMINSTER NATIVE LANDS JOB WITH UMASS FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Posted: 10/27/2015
06:52:26 AM EDT
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / MATT STEWART
AMHERST -- Anyone who has followed Leominster High football on TV or the radio over the last decade or so knows Leominster native Todd Robbins by voice.
Robbins, a mainstay from the Doyle Field broadcast booth as play-by-play announcer, will be shifting roles and exchanging his Blue and White attire on Saturdays for Maroon and White. On Oct. 3 against Florida International University, Robbins debuted as the University of Massachusetts Amherst football team's new public address announcer, a role he will occupy for the remainder of the season and into the future.
"This is quite an opportunity, and certainly different from what I am used to on play-by-play," Robbins said. "This is a lot more identifying and pointing things out to the crowd, reading advertising and promotions. When you're on television and radio you don't have direct interaction with your audience. It's a tremendous honor to work with a Division 1 program, and I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity."
Robbins notes that it is an interesting balance in the new position between being an information provider and playing a role in igniting the crowd on key plays. That type of interaction is relatively new for Robbins, who has only done PA for small-scale football games in the past, as opposed to the crowd of 15,270 that attended the Oct. 17 homecoming game against Kent State.
"There are situations where you have the capacity to motivate," Robbins said.
"The crowd feeds off of you the same way you feed off of the crowd. There's nothing better than making that powerful statement, 'first down Minutemen,' and to hear that crowd erupt is phenomenal."
The 2015 season marked the fourth year that UMass has been in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the nation. The athletics administration is hoping to build attendance and create new traditions. Robbins plays a part in the fan experience during UMass home games in Amherst at McGuirk Stadium and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, home of the New England Patriots.
"UMass has said that they are building tradition as an FBS program, and they want to be a major FBS program," Robbins said. "In that (effort), they are developing their tradition and over the course of this season and the next year we're hoping to build call-and-response things to get the crowd involved, and really become a rowdy and exciting 12th man on the field for the Minutemen, and I have a little part in that."
Robbins is no newcomer to FBS football, having studied at Syracuse University's highly reputable broadcasting department. He did not know what to expect from a growing FBS program, but the in-game experience surprised him, from the Sudler Trophy-winning Minuteman Marching Band to the responsiveness of the crowd.
"The size of the crowds has been fantastic, and McGuirk is a great, classic football stadium, small and quaint, but I can see with the future plans that there are opportunities to grow," Robbins said. "I've seen Division 1 bands before and to see UMass' perform pre-game, during the game, halftime, and the fact that the crowd stays around afterward to see the post-game performance is something that I've never seen before. It is really unique to UMass to have a band that is exciting as the football action."
Robbins began his broadcasting career at Leominster Access Television, when the organization was in its infancy, conducting the play-by-play of LHS football games when he was in high school.
He graduated from Leominster High in 2003, moving on to Syracuse University and taking over the role of broadcaster for women's basketball, women's lacrosse and women's softball. The Leominster native started a broadcasting package of local high school football games in Central New York, which the college station continues to this day.
After graduation, WPKZ (now the K-Zone) decided to broadcast only Leominster High football games, and Robbins assumed the play-by-play role. Shortly afterward, the station moved to a simulcast format with LATV, where the radio broadcast fuses with the visual aspect.
In 2014 Robbins received the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Award for Best Sports Play-By-Play on Radio for his Leominster high football coverage during that season.
"That was my big moment, and my first award," Robbins said. "It was much appreciated as a professional to win that award."
Robbins works full-time now in Watertown Public Schools as a digital communications teacher, instructing students how to become better communicators and TV and radio professionals.
He is quick to credit his fiancée, Kate Myer, with much of his success. She not only serves as a statistician and color commentator for games on the K-Zone, but also helps at UMass as a spotter from the Martin & Richard Jacobson Sky & Press Box Complex.
At homecoming, Robbins had 93 different elements (announcements, presentations and advertisements) on the docket, most of which he had to read, and Myer's presence helped organize and complete the workload.
"There are 93 elements beyond the game action that we have to announce," Robbins said. "To have somebody else to be there and share that with, and have it be the person I'm going to be spending the rest of my life with, I'm very honored."
06:52:26 AM EDT
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / MATT STEWART
AMHERST -- Anyone who has followed Leominster High football on TV or the radio over the last decade or so knows Leominster native Todd Robbins by voice.
Robbins, a mainstay from the Doyle Field broadcast booth as play-by-play announcer, will be shifting roles and exchanging his Blue and White attire on Saturdays for Maroon and White. On Oct. 3 against Florida International University, Robbins debuted as the University of Massachusetts Amherst football team's new public address announcer, a role he will occupy for the remainder of the season and into the future.
"This is quite an opportunity, and certainly different from what I am used to on play-by-play," Robbins said. "This is a lot more identifying and pointing things out to the crowd, reading advertising and promotions. When you're on television and radio you don't have direct interaction with your audience. It's a tremendous honor to work with a Division 1 program, and I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity."
Robbins notes that it is an interesting balance in the new position between being an information provider and playing a role in igniting the crowd on key plays. That type of interaction is relatively new for Robbins, who has only done PA for small-scale football games in the past, as opposed to the crowd of 15,270 that attended the Oct. 17 homecoming game against Kent State.
"There are situations where you have the capacity to motivate," Robbins said.
"The crowd feeds off of you the same way you feed off of the crowd. There's nothing better than making that powerful statement, 'first down Minutemen,' and to hear that crowd erupt is phenomenal."
The 2015 season marked the fourth year that UMass has been in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the nation. The athletics administration is hoping to build attendance and create new traditions. Robbins plays a part in the fan experience during UMass home games in Amherst at McGuirk Stadium and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, home of the New England Patriots.
"UMass has said that they are building tradition as an FBS program, and they want to be a major FBS program," Robbins said. "In that (effort), they are developing their tradition and over the course of this season and the next year we're hoping to build call-and-response things to get the crowd involved, and really become a rowdy and exciting 12th man on the field for the Minutemen, and I have a little part in that."
Robbins is no newcomer to FBS football, having studied at Syracuse University's highly reputable broadcasting department. He did not know what to expect from a growing FBS program, but the in-game experience surprised him, from the Sudler Trophy-winning Minuteman Marching Band to the responsiveness of the crowd.
"The size of the crowds has been fantastic, and McGuirk is a great, classic football stadium, small and quaint, but I can see with the future plans that there are opportunities to grow," Robbins said. "I've seen Division 1 bands before and to see UMass' perform pre-game, during the game, halftime, and the fact that the crowd stays around afterward to see the post-game performance is something that I've never seen before. It is really unique to UMass to have a band that is exciting as the football action."
Robbins began his broadcasting career at Leominster Access Television, when the organization was in its infancy, conducting the play-by-play of LHS football games when he was in high school.
He graduated from Leominster High in 2003, moving on to Syracuse University and taking over the role of broadcaster for women's basketball, women's lacrosse and women's softball. The Leominster native started a broadcasting package of local high school football games in Central New York, which the college station continues to this day.
After graduation, WPKZ (now the K-Zone) decided to broadcast only Leominster High football games, and Robbins assumed the play-by-play role. Shortly afterward, the station moved to a simulcast format with LATV, where the radio broadcast fuses with the visual aspect.
In 2014 Robbins received the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Award for Best Sports Play-By-Play on Radio for his Leominster high football coverage during that season.
"That was my big moment, and my first award," Robbins said. "It was much appreciated as a professional to win that award."
Robbins works full-time now in Watertown Public Schools as a digital communications teacher, instructing students how to become better communicators and TV and radio professionals.
He is quick to credit his fiancée, Kate Myer, with much of his success. She not only serves as a statistician and color commentator for games on the K-Zone, but also helps at UMass as a spotter from the Martin & Richard Jacobson Sky & Press Box Complex.
At homecoming, Robbins had 93 different elements (announcements, presentations and advertisements) on the docket, most of which he had to read, and Myer's presence helped organize and complete the workload.
"There are 93 elements beyond the game action that we have to announce," Robbins said. "To have somebody else to be there and share that with, and have it be the person I'm going to be spending the rest of my life with, I'm very honored."
LATV Honors The Outstanding At Sixth Annual Awards Dinner
Posted: 09/26/2013
08:15:36 AM EDT
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / STAFF
LEOMINSTER -- Leominster Access Television honored the television production achievements of nine outstanding member/producers during the sixth annual Monument Awards dinner on Sept. 22 at the Eagles Hall.
The honorees demonstrated extraordinary talent, technical ability and a dedication to community service through the use of video production and local broadcast, said LATV Executive Director Carl Piermarini.
"Along with the support and training from the LATV staff and other members, these talented people have learned how to use this technology to get their ideas, visions and messages out to the local community," he said. "I applaud all of you and your accomplishments," he told the winners and other members gathered for the celebration. "Thank you for your persistence, for your diligence and for your outstanding achievements in local broadcasting."
This years' 2013 Monument Award went to producer Russell Kruger for producing his acclaimed music performance specials focusing on the various music programs in the Leominster schools. The 2013 LATV Hall of Fame award went to longtime Leominster concert promoter, radio host, DJ and citizens advocate David "Dee Greaze" Letters, who was honored for more than 30 years of community service.
The following awards were presented: LATV Hall of Fame 2013 Award, David J. Letters; Volunteer of the Year Award, Yoselin Aboal; Producer of the Year, Bradley Bedard; LATV Technical Achievement Award, Sean Montaquila; Best On-Air Personality, Todd Robbins; Educational/Service Award, Yasmin Loft; The Joseph Palmer Award, Dr. Stefan Karos, MD, and Dr. Knute Alfredson, MD; The 2013 Monument Award, Russell Kruger.
08:15:36 AM EDT
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / STAFF
LEOMINSTER -- Leominster Access Television honored the television production achievements of nine outstanding member/producers during the sixth annual Monument Awards dinner on Sept. 22 at the Eagles Hall.
The honorees demonstrated extraordinary talent, technical ability and a dedication to community service through the use of video production and local broadcast, said LATV Executive Director Carl Piermarini.
"Along with the support and training from the LATV staff and other members, these talented people have learned how to use this technology to get their ideas, visions and messages out to the local community," he said. "I applaud all of you and your accomplishments," he told the winners and other members gathered for the celebration. "Thank you for your persistence, for your diligence and for your outstanding achievements in local broadcasting."
This years' 2013 Monument Award went to producer Russell Kruger for producing his acclaimed music performance specials focusing on the various music programs in the Leominster schools. The 2013 LATV Hall of Fame award went to longtime Leominster concert promoter, radio host, DJ and citizens advocate David "Dee Greaze" Letters, who was honored for more than 30 years of community service.
The following awards were presented: LATV Hall of Fame 2013 Award, David J. Letters; Volunteer of the Year Award, Yoselin Aboal; Producer of the Year, Bradley Bedard; LATV Technical Achievement Award, Sean Montaquila; Best On-Air Personality, Todd Robbins; Educational/Service Award, Yasmin Loft; The Joseph Palmer Award, Dr. Stefan Karos, MD, and Dr. Knute Alfredson, MD; The 2013 Monument Award, Russell Kruger.
Leominster grad ready to call the big game
By Chad Garner, [email protected]
Posted: 11/25/2010
06:52:33 AM EST
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / CHAD GARNER
WPKZ (105.3 FM, AM 1280) play-by-play announcer Todd Robbins, left, speaks with host Ben Parker before a Leominster football game against Marlboro earlier this season. Robbins, a Leominster High grad, and Parker will call the annual Fitchburg-Leominster Thanksgiving Day game live from Doyle Field. Many remember him as "The Voice of the Blue Devils."
Yes, local broadcaster Todd Robbins still doesn't mind being called that, but he's even happier about returning to the area and doing what he loves. Robbins, 25, a 2003 Leominster High grad and 2007 Syracuse University graduate, burst onto the local media scene as a little-known freshman aspiring to one day work for ESPN.
While he still has the hopes and dreams to one day hit the national spotlight, Robbins is back in the Fitchburg-Leominster area making a name for himself as a professional broadcaster. "I've known for a very long time this is what I wanted to do; I was determined to do it," Robbins said. "I'm glad to be back. I'm reconnecting with people and it feels like I've never left. A lot of the major players are still the same in both towns, Fitchburg and Leominster. I've had an opportunity to sit down with (Fitchburg athletic director and football coach) Ray Cosenza in Fitchburg and talk to him more in-depth than before when I was a Leominster guy. Hopefully, people think I've gotten better in a lot of ways." Because of Robbins' passion, enthusiasm and on-air skills, Leominster football coach John Dubzinski sees him getting his shot with the big boys some day. "I'm telling you, I predict that he's going to be on ESPN someday because he's a hard-working guy and he loves what he's doing," Dubzinski said.
Currently, Robbins works for WPKZ (105.3 FM, AM 1280) in Fitchburg as a sports announcer, on-air co-host and ad sales representative. Robbins is a news anchor and co-host on "The Morning Show" with Ben Parker, delivering news, weather, sports and traffic updates at the top and bottom of every hour. And on high school football gameday, Robbins does the play-by-play announcing for Leominster High football with Parker. But don't expect to hear Robbins' old catch phrase of "Don't you dare go away." He archived that when he graduated from high school. "That was the big thing, I still get that impersonated today and I don't even use it anymore," said Robbins, who was given the nickname "The Voice of the Blue Devils" by former LHS athletic director Ralph Caisse. "Now, I don't know if I have anything. This year I've got into, 'Give him six.' I've tried to get away from every single thing being a cliché tagline. "To me, I like to believe that I react honestly to what I see. The best part about sports is its unscripted drama. The job of the play-by-play announcer is to paint the picture as he sees it." Robbins and Parker will team up on Thanksgiving Eve to announce the Lunenburg-at-St. Bernard's football game at 6 p.m., but the biggest broadcast of the season will be on Thanksgiving when Fitchburg travels to Leominster for a 10 a.m. kickoff. The broadcast will start with "The Morning Show" from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then all the attention is directed on the game with pregame coverage from 9 a.m. to kickoff at Doyle Field.
"It is unlike anything else you're involved with because of the history," said Robbins, who has done play-by-play for six Fitchburg-Leominster Turkey Day games. "There's 126 years of history that has gone before you. Regardless of how good they are, everyone is still going to get up for it and it's going to be the most listeners we'll get. It's amazing with what this games does, it permeates." While Robbins bleeds blue, he knows his job still is to remain impartial while on air. "To me, it's two football teams going at it. I will call a straight down the middle game because that is what this rivalry deserves," Robbins said. "I'm a Leominster guy, I'm not going to hide behind that. I am a Leominster grad, but I'm a pro and I'm here to do my job. "I believe on Thanksgiving, I will be wearing blue. That's what I wear on Thanksgiving Day. Truth is, I want the best possible game we can get. A one-point game is what I want. Personally, I want a one-point win for Leominster. It would pain me to see Leominster lose." Just like the players on the field, Robbins also feels that electricity in the air on Turkey Day.
"You feel that as a player, as a broadcaster," he said. "You feel what's going on at the stadium. I love being on site. To me, there is nothing that matches being on-site on game day. You feel the crowd, you feel the excitement." So who's Robbins picking? "I can get in so much trouble no matter what direction I go in," chuckled Robbins. "I am not going to pick this game, it's a conflict of interest. Contrary to the coffee shop line, I think it will be a lot closer than people think." Robbins played baseball through Division 1 Babe Ruth and basketball through eighth-grade, but quickly took to the other side of athletics in the booth. Robbins and his best friend, Rich "The Eyes" Levy, decided on the third day of their freshman year that they wanted to start broadcasting high school games. Robbins, the announcer, and Levy, the technical guru, got the go-ahead from the media department and they immediately starting covering every single varsity football game for the high school TV station (formerly Ch. 36). "All of us here at Leominster High School knew Todd would get a chance to live out his broadcasting dream," LHS athletic director Chris Young said. "And I personally am thrilled that he gets a chance to live at least some of that dream back here at Leominster High School. He bleeds blue and white and will continue to do so no matter where he ends up in his career. ... It's something that just stays in your soul when you grow up here."
Robbins also has the passion to broadcast, and that's not leaving anytime soon, either. "I'll always be a sports fan at heart," Robbins said. Yes, "The Voice of the Blue Devils" is back.
Posted: 11/25/2010
06:52:33 AM EST
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / CHAD GARNER
WPKZ (105.3 FM, AM 1280) play-by-play announcer Todd Robbins, left, speaks with host Ben Parker before a Leominster football game against Marlboro earlier this season. Robbins, a Leominster High grad, and Parker will call the annual Fitchburg-Leominster Thanksgiving Day game live from Doyle Field. Many remember him as "The Voice of the Blue Devils."
Yes, local broadcaster Todd Robbins still doesn't mind being called that, but he's even happier about returning to the area and doing what he loves. Robbins, 25, a 2003 Leominster High grad and 2007 Syracuse University graduate, burst onto the local media scene as a little-known freshman aspiring to one day work for ESPN.
While he still has the hopes and dreams to one day hit the national spotlight, Robbins is back in the Fitchburg-Leominster area making a name for himself as a professional broadcaster. "I've known for a very long time this is what I wanted to do; I was determined to do it," Robbins said. "I'm glad to be back. I'm reconnecting with people and it feels like I've never left. A lot of the major players are still the same in both towns, Fitchburg and Leominster. I've had an opportunity to sit down with (Fitchburg athletic director and football coach) Ray Cosenza in Fitchburg and talk to him more in-depth than before when I was a Leominster guy. Hopefully, people think I've gotten better in a lot of ways." Because of Robbins' passion, enthusiasm and on-air skills, Leominster football coach John Dubzinski sees him getting his shot with the big boys some day. "I'm telling you, I predict that he's going to be on ESPN someday because he's a hard-working guy and he loves what he's doing," Dubzinski said.
Currently, Robbins works for WPKZ (105.3 FM, AM 1280) in Fitchburg as a sports announcer, on-air co-host and ad sales representative. Robbins is a news anchor and co-host on "The Morning Show" with Ben Parker, delivering news, weather, sports and traffic updates at the top and bottom of every hour. And on high school football gameday, Robbins does the play-by-play announcing for Leominster High football with Parker. But don't expect to hear Robbins' old catch phrase of "Don't you dare go away." He archived that when he graduated from high school. "That was the big thing, I still get that impersonated today and I don't even use it anymore," said Robbins, who was given the nickname "The Voice of the Blue Devils" by former LHS athletic director Ralph Caisse. "Now, I don't know if I have anything. This year I've got into, 'Give him six.' I've tried to get away from every single thing being a cliché tagline. "To me, I like to believe that I react honestly to what I see. The best part about sports is its unscripted drama. The job of the play-by-play announcer is to paint the picture as he sees it." Robbins and Parker will team up on Thanksgiving Eve to announce the Lunenburg-at-St. Bernard's football game at 6 p.m., but the biggest broadcast of the season will be on Thanksgiving when Fitchburg travels to Leominster for a 10 a.m. kickoff. The broadcast will start with "The Morning Show" from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then all the attention is directed on the game with pregame coverage from 9 a.m. to kickoff at Doyle Field.
"It is unlike anything else you're involved with because of the history," said Robbins, who has done play-by-play for six Fitchburg-Leominster Turkey Day games. "There's 126 years of history that has gone before you. Regardless of how good they are, everyone is still going to get up for it and it's going to be the most listeners we'll get. It's amazing with what this games does, it permeates." While Robbins bleeds blue, he knows his job still is to remain impartial while on air. "To me, it's two football teams going at it. I will call a straight down the middle game because that is what this rivalry deserves," Robbins said. "I'm a Leominster guy, I'm not going to hide behind that. I am a Leominster grad, but I'm a pro and I'm here to do my job. "I believe on Thanksgiving, I will be wearing blue. That's what I wear on Thanksgiving Day. Truth is, I want the best possible game we can get. A one-point game is what I want. Personally, I want a one-point win for Leominster. It would pain me to see Leominster lose." Just like the players on the field, Robbins also feels that electricity in the air on Turkey Day.
"You feel that as a player, as a broadcaster," he said. "You feel what's going on at the stadium. I love being on site. To me, there is nothing that matches being on-site on game day. You feel the crowd, you feel the excitement." So who's Robbins picking? "I can get in so much trouble no matter what direction I go in," chuckled Robbins. "I am not going to pick this game, it's a conflict of interest. Contrary to the coffee shop line, I think it will be a lot closer than people think." Robbins played baseball through Division 1 Babe Ruth and basketball through eighth-grade, but quickly took to the other side of athletics in the booth. Robbins and his best friend, Rich "The Eyes" Levy, decided on the third day of their freshman year that they wanted to start broadcasting high school games. Robbins, the announcer, and Levy, the technical guru, got the go-ahead from the media department and they immediately starting covering every single varsity football game for the high school TV station (formerly Ch. 36). "All of us here at Leominster High School knew Todd would get a chance to live out his broadcasting dream," LHS athletic director Chris Young said. "And I personally am thrilled that he gets a chance to live at least some of that dream back here at Leominster High School. He bleeds blue and white and will continue to do so no matter where he ends up in his career. ... It's something that just stays in your soul when you grow up here."
Robbins also has the passion to broadcast, and that's not leaving anytime soon, either. "I'll always be a sports fan at heart," Robbins said. Yes, "The Voice of the Blue Devils" is back.
