Sports Traveler Radio (STR) Blog

Pundits can argue all day about how the NCAA chose the teams in this year's NCAA Tournament, but they nailed it when they chose the host city. Houston may be the perfect place to host a large event like the Final Four. It is, after all, the fourth largest city in the United States and has all the entertainment and dining opportunities a hoops traveler could ask for.

H-town has really stepped it up for this year's edition of what is arguably the best sporting event of the year. Some big names are already committed to play during the three-night concert series creatively dubbed "The Big Dance" in the city's Discovery Green area. Here's a schedule with a look at who's headlining on each particular day:

• Friday ,April 1 (4:00-10:30): Sublime with Rome (basically the 90's-band Sublime with new lead singer Rome Ramirez)
• Saturday, April 2 (6:00 to midnight): Kings of Leon
• Sunday, April 3 (2:00-10:30): Kenny Chesney(Pat Greene is also reportedly playing this day)

Besides the music, abundant food

Sports Travelers headed to Florida for NASCAR’s season debut this month have a lot to watch out for, both on and off the track.

Daytona Beach will be packed with things to do before and after the Great American Race. Conveniently enough, the city of Daytona Beach has come up with a great guide to make sure you make the most of your time away from the track. And instead of destroying trees, just flipbook it! The 88-page online visitors’ guide walks you through everything from restaurants and nightlife to shopping and family fun.

Daytona Beach Visitors' Guide

On race day, a lot of eyes will be focused on where the rubber meets the road – literally. Daytona International Speedway reportedly spent around $20 million to repave the historic track for just the second time. The entire race surface was torn up, leveled and repaved in a process that was started after the July 5, 2010 Coke Zero 400 and finished earlier this year. A lot of time was spent making sure  track dimensions remained exactly

It’s back!

After a few years on hiatus, the web’s best source for sports travel information and entertainment is back on your iPod! Sports Traveler Radio (STR) is again live on iTunes and available to listen or download at www.SportsTraveler.net.

STR is packed with information on the world’s biggest sporting events from the top travel experts in the business. If you’re heading to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, The Masters in Augusta, the Summer Games in London or any other major sporting event around the globe, STR is the podcast for you. Keep an eye out for features like special Sports Traveler deals and fun games and giveaways only offered to STR listeners.

The official Sports Traveler podcast revs up with the 2011 Daytona 500 show, which is now available on iTunes and SportsTraveler.net. In the year’s premier episode, host Nick Jakusz talks with Sports Traveler President Anbritt Stengele who brings several tips and ideas to make a trip to the Great American Race as enjoyable as possible.

2010 World Cup Preview Podcast

Bill and I just finished our first podcast about the https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/Sports-Traveler/32833389999#/pages/Chicago-IL/Sports-Traveler/32833389999

Sports Traveler Radio's latest edition is now live and ready for download! This episode features hosts Angelo and Mike breaking down all aspects of the Super Bowl set to take place on February 1, 2009.

This podcast features a complete preview of the game from all angles. First the guys preview the matchup, which pits the newcomer Arizona Cardinals versus the old stalwarts, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike and Angelo take fans on an inside look at Raymond James Stadium as well as a few accompanying hotels that are great for fans coming into the area for the big game.

Amanda Holt of the Tampa Super Bowl Host Committee joins the fun in an interview segment where she explains how the process of obtaining a Super Bowl works. She also fills the guys in on all of the exciting opportunities awaiting fans once they arrive in the Tampa Bay area for the Super Bowl.

The most exciting portion of the show comes in the final segment where STR's favorite segment makes its return.  "Stump the 'Gelo," a trivia

Sports Traveler Radio is proud to unveil it's latest podcast, a preview of the2009 Winter Classic.  In this episode hosts Angelo Bonadonna and Bill Huber sit down to discuss the NHL's second installment of the Winter Classic, the annual New Year's Day hockey game played outdoors.  Over 70,000 fans attended last year's historic game in Buffalo as the Penguins defeated the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout.

This year's match will take place in Chicago's most historic ballpark, Wrigley Field in what should be a great matchup between the Stanley Cup Champions Detroit Red Wings and the exciting young upstarts, the Chicago Blackhawks. The game will mark the first time a hockey contest will ever be held inside 93 year old Wrigley Field.

The Winter Classic podcast previews this great game from all angles. After taking a look at the two teams, the hosts talk about the brilliant marketing strategy that is the Winter Classic. By bringing in thousands of new fans for one exciting game, the NHL gains

Just a quick Sports Traveler Radio update... the Beijing Preview Part 3 podcast and it is available for download now. Find it at http://www.sportstraveler.net/custom/sports_traveler_radio_STR.html or listen online using the podplayer. The show is one of my favorite STR's yet. Angelo also interviews our friend Adam Dailey, a former US track and field star and owner of Ludus Tours. Adam took time out from watching the US Track and Field Olympic trials to talk to us. It's a great interview. Thanks Adam! I'm working on getting some new pictures from Beijing online soon.

I can't believe how time is flying. I will be back in Beijing in just a few weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting all our clients in person and seeing the events. If you still want to join Sports Traveler in Beijing it is not too late. We have some excellent last minute trips ready to book. Visit http://www.sportstraveler.net/custom/olympics.html for all the details.

Hey, we were featured this week in Smart Money online magazine

Nick and Angelo have not left our STR radio studio for days all for the love of our Sports Traveler Radio podcasts! Tune in and listen to STRto get great downloadable Bowl Game Preview Shows and find out what to do when you are there. There is a show for each game: The Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and the BCS Championship Game. We still have tickets and packagesleft for all these games too!

My highlights from the shows are:

The BCS Championship and Fiesta Bowl Show: A great interview with Doug McKenzie from the Phoenix Conventions and Visitors Bureau. Doug gives important information about where the best restaurants and best bar districts are located in the Phoenix area. The city is very spread out so plan on renting a car. 200 golf courses in the greater Phoenix area, so pack the clubs. And don't miss the Camelback Mountain. Hike it or drive it for your best desert photo opp.

Rose Bowl Preview Show: Pasadena sounds fabulous! Learn all about the Rose Parade, cool

DISCLAIMER:The following 1985/2006 Bears roster is based on the stats from these respective years.Future and past years do not reflect the starting lineups for this 1985/2006 Chicago Bears Team.For example, Mike Brown is not on this list for he is hurt.You won’t find Brian Griese either because he has only thrown five passes this season.Finally Mike Tomczak just plain sucks.Hope you enjoy and let the controversy begin.

Training Camp:Bourbanais. Platteville is a dump. Period.

Coaches:Head Coach: A Certain Coach Ditka.Offensive Coordinator: Ron Turner. Defensive Coordinator: Buddy Ryan. Asst. Defensive Coordinator: Ron Rivera
NOTE:Ron Rivera is a player/coach on this roster.

Quarterback:

1. Jim McMahon
2. Rex Grossman
3. Steve Fuller

Jim McMahon played the 85 season hurt.When he came of the injury list against the Vikings, his first two passes were for touchdowns.Grossman is playing great and to have a Super Bowl Team, you need two solid QB’s.Steve Fuller is on this list because he played

Ok, I have a few thoughts on some things going on in the world of Sports. 

1.  Urlacher was born to play middle linebacker...for the Bears.  
       The man is an outright beast.  He single handedly beat the Arizona Cardinals...in one  quarter!  25 tackles, blocked passes, forced fumbles...B-Lock (as I like to call him) would not be alive if he were not playing MLB for Da Bears!  How the hell does he NOT win the defensive player of the week?  Some no tallent *** clown in Detroit wins it, while BU goes ahead and has one of the best games a Chicago athlete has ever had.  I put this one up there with Jordan's flu game, Sayer's 6 touchdown game in the 60's, and Jordans 6 3 pointer in one half.  Urlacher...I salute you!  Not to mention Denny Green's post-game presser...[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBOCE3eue3Y]...I'd be pissed off too if I had to play the Bears.

2.  Did Mr. Rodgers cheat?!
     No.  Well, maybe.  It sure looks like it.  What's on