ESPN Radio debut here pushed back (June 29, 2002)

The calendar turns to July on Monday, and that was supposed to mean the arrival of a new all-sports station in San Diego.

Officials for ESPN Radio 800, however, decided yesterday to wait until July 15 to launch what they're calling "The New Game in Town."

"We want to make sure everything is in order with the operations and licensing," said Randy Phillips, managing partner and sales director for Media Access Partners, which holds the sales rights for the new station. (The license is held by Tijuana-based CBC.)

Well, what's another two weeks when we've waited this long for an alternative to XTRA-AM? And this definitely will be different, starting with the fact it won't be heard from "Baja to the Canadian Rockies," or even from Baja to La Ca¤ada.

"We just want to go from San Ysidro to Oceanside," Phillips said. "We're not trying to be a L.A. or Orange County station."

The station's 1,000-watt signal covers most of San Diego County, Phillips said, adding "some things are in the works" to increase the power.

ESPN Radio's normal weekday lineup starts with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic from 3-7 a.m. PDT, followed by Tony Kornheiser (7-10 a.m.), Dan Patrick (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), "GameDay" (1-4 p.m.), "Game-Night" (4-8 p.m.), Bob Valvano (8-11 p.m.) and Todd Wright (11 p.m.-3 a.m.).

Hamilton set to return as Aztecs football voice (June 28, 2002)

One year later than expected, Lee Hamilton is back as the radio voice of San Diego State football.

Hamilton said yesterday he will call Aztecs football games this season on XTRA-AM for the first time in eight years. He previously broadcast the Aztecs from 1991-94.

Hamilton had been scheduled to call SDSU games last season when the Aztecs returned to XTRA for the first time since '94. But he was released from that obligation when he was hired as the radio voice of the Minnesota Vikings.

He resigned the Vikings job, however, after a controversy erupted in the Twin Cities concerning some insensitive comments Hamilton had made during his role as a talk-show host.

By that time XTRA had retained Jim Stone to call the Aztecs, so Hamilton was forced to sit out a football season for the first time in two decades.

"I enjoyed watching different things and doing different things," said Hamilton, who just signed a new three-year contract with XTRA, "but I love doing play-by-play. It's an important part of my career. I think I'm good at it, and I missed it a great deal."

XTRA also has named Mark Halda to return to color analyst duties after a two-year absence. Halda had been the analyst from 1991-99.

John Kentera, the analyst the past two years alongside Stone, will return to working the sidelines as a reporter. Mike Costa will host the pregame, postgame and halftime shows.

Stone, the weekend sports anchor on KNSD Channel 7/39, has one more season left on his contract to call SDSU basketball games.

Planet FM Update (June 28, 2002)

The Summer Pops returns to the Navy Pier on June 28th with a power packed season of exceptional weekend concerts and extra special performances. As PLANET VIPS, you can win tickets to an upcoming show! Just send us an e-mail with "Summer Pops" in the subject line, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming Summer Pops performance. We'll let you know by e-mail if you've won.

Want to know more about the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops? Have you been to a Summer Pops show before? If so, then you know that you are in for a very special experience. In 2002, The San Diego Symphony will present ten spectacular weekend concerts and four extra special performances. Imagine sitting outside under the stars at the Navy Pier (located at 960 North Harbor Drive), and listening to the San Diego Symphony perform with featured special guests. Then, after every show, you'll be treated to a spectacular fireworks display. This season, you can enjoy the music of Gershwin, Broadway Romantic Journey, Opera Favorites, Big Band Sounds, Symphonic Blues on the Bay as well as an 1812 Spectacular.

103.7 THE PLANET is proud to present a very special concert: The Classical Mystery Tour, featuring the Beatle's classic hits on Sunday, July 14th. Other featured shows include: Danny Rodriguez - America's Tenor, The Manhattan Transfer, Isaac Hayes and Marvin Hamlisch.

To purchase tickets: If you are interested in learning more about the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops season, go to www.sandiegosymphony.com. Tickets can be purchased at the Symphony Box Office at Copley Symphony Hall, or via phone through Ticketmaster (619) 220-TIXS or the Symphony Ticket Office at (619) 235-0804.

KOGO Starts Airing Pledge of Allegiance (June 27, 2002)

In the wake of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that it is unconstitutional for schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Clear Channel Communications' KOGO/AM 600 here yesterday started airing a recitation of the pledge every afternoon at 5, and also at the beginning of each broadcast day at 5 a.m.

"The response from listeners to the decision on the pledge has been overwhelming," said KOGO operations manager Cliff Albert. "We have never received as many calls to our 'San Diego Speaks Line' as we did yesterday morning."

Last fall, Clear Channel stations across the country - including some of its San Diego outlets - began playing the national anthem periodically every day in response to the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks.

- Preston Turegano

Radio Wires (June 27, 2002)

Cat Country Coming to San Diego? (June 27, 2002)