{"id":75946,"date":"2014-09-23T20:17:16","date_gmt":"2014-09-23T20:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rcntv.rcn.com\/?p=75946"},"modified":"2023-04-12T20:07:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T20:07:37","slug":"the-sportstalk-shop-previewing-the-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astound.com\/atvn\/the-sportstalk-shop-previewing-the-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"The SportsTalk Shop: Previewing the “Classic”"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have many fond memories of the Celtic Classic<\/a> and really enjoy when this time of year comes around. I am not a direct descendent of any Irish or Gaelic ancestry as far as I\u2019m aware, nor have ever held any desires of wearing a kilt. But the entire festival is a really enjoyable experience and there\u2019s always great entertainment venues and plenty of displays to check out throughout the entire weekend.<\/p>\n

My first trip to the Celtic Classic was a bit of an adventure. I was to interview people at different sections of the grounds for a feature on a show called, \u201cTime Out! Lehigh Valley.\u201d While going from different stands asking people about their areas of expertise, I came across the late, great RCN personality Craig Borst, who was supposed to be handling the \u201cplay-by-play\u201d of the highland games competition. Craig was one of the nicest and most gregarious people you would ever meet and, although he rarely wasn\u2019t in the best of moods, I could see by his facial expressions that there was a problem. Our exchange went something like this:<\/p>\n

Craig: \u201cHey, Chris. Can you do me a really big favor?\u201d
\nMe: \u201cSure\u2026what do you need?\u201d
\nCraig: \u201cWell, the guy who was supposed to announce the highlands events with me didn\u2019t show up, and I really don\u2019t know anything about these events since I was depending on him. I know it\u2019s short\u00a0notice but do you think you can be my expert for today and do the broadcast with me?\u201d
\nMe: \u201cUh, yeah. I think I can do that. How long do I have to prepare?\u201d
\nCraig: (grabbing me by the arm): \u201cAbout 30 seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Needless to say things worked out fine (I didn\u2019t even have time to even think about being nervous). In fact, even one of the most intelligent and insightful RCN viewers we have in Eastern Pennsylvania gave me kudos for the broadcast. The compliment came from RCN Sports Director Gary Laubach\u2019s wife, Luba (did I mention she\u2019s very intelligent and incredibly insightful?)<\/p>\n

Fortunately, in the many years since that first broadcast, we have added a REAL expert, highland games legend Gene Flynn, to our broadcasts. Gene gives wonderful insights on the history and legacy of the games, background on all the competitors and great stories about training and participating in these extraordinary events. Just to hear Gene describe what it\u2019s like to participate and to see just how difficult the competition is, is reason enough to tune in and see what these athletes put themselves through for the competition.<\/p>\n

This year, we\u2019ll be broadcasting the latter five events and the awards ceremony this Sunday on RCN-TV. The games itself are a ton of fun to watch\u2014especially if you have never seen the events before. The competitors are incredibly focused when the events are going on, but also love to have a good time and put on a great show for the audience. This year\u2019s rundown of athletes include:
\nDaniel McKim
\nMichael Zolkiewicz
\nMatt Vincent (current World Champion)
\nSean Betz
\nEric Frasure
\nNathan Burchett
\nJohn Piling
\nJeremy Gillingham
\nJake Sullivan
\nSpencer Tyler<\/p>\n

Many of these athletes have appeared at the Celtic Classic previously, but there are also some new names that will be competing in Bethlehem for the first time ever.<\/p>\n

The Celtic Classic is more than just sports, and I\u2019m proud to say that we have a great sampling of the many experiences from the Celtic Classic on RCN-TV once again this year. One of my favorite performers over the years includes the O\u2019Grady Quinlan Irish Dancers (one year they ask me to perform with them\u2026let\u2019s just say I did a better job announcing the highland games). Other must-see performers include the Glengarry Bhoys, Burning Bridge Clearly and the Town Pants. And, of course, to see the Liberty and Freedom High School bands alone make the \u201cTartan Parade\u201d something you have to check out.<\/p>\n

There really is something for everyone and I invite you to check out all that the Celtic Classic has to offer. Don\u2019t forget, whether you watch the events in person or on RCN-TV, you can relive all the memories for the next two months by watching these events, for free, through RCN On-Demand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have many fond memories of the Celtic Classic and really enjoy when this time of year comes around. I am not a direct descendent of any Irish or Gaelic ancestry as far as I\u2019m aware, nor have ever held any desires of wearing a kilt. 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