Jeff Blanzy, Hoops Talk and the Birth of Save On Energy 81 3-27-11

Jeff Blanzy

Jeff and I opened up show #12 with former sportcaster with ABC Jeff Blanzy. Blanzy 50, joined WLS from ABC-owned WTVG-TV in Toledo, Ohio. Before that, he worked at WLIO-TV, the NBC affiliate in Lima, Ohio. A Michigan native who earned a communications degree from New York's Niagara University while on a basketball scholarship, Blanzy later attended Michigan's Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts and was inducted into the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts Hall of Fame in 2005. Jeff anchored the weekend sports show for Channel 7 and was on the air with ABC-WLS for 11 years. Jeff now enjoys networking with people and empowering lives with World Ventures.

Later in the show we talk Bulls Basketball, March Madness, President Obama's Final 4 basketball picks and the birth of Save On Energy '81'. Of course, Jeff and I throw in some politics and sports and mix it up a bit. All in good fun of course!       

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Tribute to Former Bear Jim Keane and a Chat with Andy Livingston 3-20-11

Jim Keane #20

I flew solo for show #11 as my co-host Jeff Christensen was a bit under the weather. Everything worked out just fine as I was able to spend some time during the first segment talking about the life of a former Chicago Bear who I admired and respected for so many years. Jim Keane passed away March 8th and he will be dearly missed. Jim was my idle, he played golf 4 days a week at 87....now that's a hell of a week!

James Patrick "Jim" Keane Played seven seasons for the Chicago Bears (1946-1951) and the Green Bay Packers (1952). Keane, who was born in Bellaire, Ohio, remains the only player in Bears history to lead the team in receptions for four straight seasons, something he accomplished by catching a league-leading 64 passes in 1947, 30 in 1948, 47 in 1949 and 36 in 1950.
When he left the Bears following the 1951 season, Keane was the franchise’s all-time leader with 206 receptions and ranked second behind Ken Kavanaugh with 3,031 receiving yards.

Andy Livingston #48

An amazing fact that Keane still holds the Bears record for most receptions in a game. He set the mark by catching 14 passes in a 35-28 road loss to the New York Giants on October 23, 1949.

What a pleasure it was to talk to the youngest player ever to put on a Bears uniform and the youngest to score a touchdown in NFL history. Andy Livingston was only 20 years, 53 days old when that record was set. Andy (born October 21, 1944 in Eufaula, Oklahoma) played for the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. He was nineteen years old when he first played for the Bears. Also attended Phoenix College (JC). The unique thing about Andy was that he never played college ball. In fact, he never finished high school. The NFL granted him a hardship exemption, enabling him to skip college and sign with the Bears directly out of high school. 

Free Admission Free Parking

To wrap up, it was good to have Allen Deutscher co-owner of Brilliant Event Planning. Allen's company delivers the most Brilliant Home Expos in Chicago. Be sure to go to their WEBSITE and check out their outstanding line up of home shows for April & May.    

To listen to the entire show click on the following link: Download Podcast