(AKRON-OH) The University of Akron Zips are just days away from taking the field at Infocision Stadium for the 2020 football season, and Dave Skoczen couldn’t be more anxious.
“There is something we all love about college football in the fall, and this year we need it more than ever,” said Skoczen. The 42 year old Hudson resident, is about to start his first season as the lead radio play by play voice of the Zips.
During a dry run at Infocision stadium on Thursday, Skoczen said he looks forward to a great season from the Zips, “We have a great team led by Coach Tom Arth. This is a young group of players that I look forward to watch grow over this season and during their next few years as an Akron Zip.”
The Zips broadcast team is rounded out by longtime Zips broadcaster Joe Dunn, who Skoczen has incredible respect for. “Joe is a tremendous resource with a wealth of knowledge of Zips history and respect for the program. I admire his longevity,” added Skoczen.
Skozen is no stranger to sports broadcasting or 640 WHLO, the new radio home of Zips Athletics. His first job in radio was a studio producer for the first season of Akron Aeros Baseball in 1997. He later landed a job in the news department at WHBC in Canton, then moved onto WKNR in Cleveland. He has been the play by play voice of the now defunct Canton Crocodiles and the West Michigan White Cats.
For the past year and a half, he has been with iHeartMedia, the parent company of 640 WHLO. Most Friday nights, you can find him in the broadcast booth calling local high school football games for iHeartRadio.
The nerves come from learning new equipment, but during the rehearsal, he passed with flying colors and added, “Now we just wait for game day.”
The University of Akron Zips football broadcasts will be heard on 640 WHLO starting with the season opener on Wednesday November 4th as the Zips take on The Western Michigan Broncos. Countdown to kickoff begins at 5pm with kickoff at 6pm.