Charlie Voelker is the co-host of The Drive every weekday afternoon from 3 pm to 7pm. Charlie has been a part of the Capital Region Sports scene for over the last 25 years. In 1996 he joined Big Board Sports host and NewsChannel 13 sports director, Rodger Wyland in the UAlbany broadcast booth for football and basketball. Charlie spent 6 years in minor league baseball, then spent the next 17 years as the Associate Athletic Director for the University at Albany before retiring from that position in 2020. Charlie and his wife Kim live in Albany County with his son Andrew.
Charlie Voelker
All Rise New Yorkers – The Judge Hits #61
Roger Maris broke the legendary Babe Ruth's immortal home run record of 61 home runs, 61 year ago in 1961. I think you get the point. The stars have aligned and another New York Yankee has joined Maris in passing the Babe's best single season mark.
Albany Football Player Lands First NIL Deal For UA Athlete
Only a few years ago, universities and colleges were the only ones that could benefit from a student-athlete's name, likeness and image (NLI) but we all know that has changed. When you think about programs like Alabama and Texas, where the head coaches are racking in tens of millions of dollars in contracts and endorsements, student-athletes were given a small fraction of a percent of those profits through scholarships and sometimes stipends. That rule has changed and now a University at Albany football player is benefitting from the modification.
Upstate New York HS Football Game Moved Due To Gun Threat
Friday night high school football games are supposed community gatherings for students, alumni and friends to engage and enjoy. This was not the case last week, where Capital Region school officials worked with local authorities to act quickly and move a football game. This decisive action may have avoided a possibly deadly situation involving a large crowd.
Orange Bringing National Attention To Upstate New York Football
No matter which college team you root for, no one should deny the benefits to all of New York football when Syracuse University is playing well. 31 New Yorkers are currently on NFL rosters in 2022. Former pro football stars like Ron Jaworski, Boomer Esiason and even fan favorite Rob Gronkowski are all from the Empire State. Top names and the big teams always draw fans attention. That's why it's awesome when the Orange are playing well because upstate New York draws the attention of all of college football.
Glens Falls & Cambridge-Salem Cruise In Saturday HS Football
Only 3 football games were on the Section 2 docket for a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon. All three games featured ranked teams. We have the remainder of Friday night's scores, plus a preview of next week's big match-ups.
Shaker, Ballston Spa & Niskayuna Roll In Friday HS Football Recap
It was definitely fall football last night with temperatures at some fields in Section 2 dipping into the 40's as the sun fell on Friday evening. 24 teams suited up for 12 games in the Capital Region. There were a number a blowouts, some excitingly close games and some upsets. Something for everyone.
DNA Test Confirms Rare Wolf Killed In Upstate New York
There are a lot of different animals in New York. I use the term "animal" literally and figuratively. However, one species has been missing from the vast terrain of the upper regions since the early 1900's, the wolf. The DEC notes that there are wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan but not in New York. Populations of the species do exist north of the empire state border in Canada.
Former Albany Star Helps St. Lucie Mets Win Championship
It's not easy to play college baseball in the northeast. The season officially starts in mid-February. Your home field is usually buried by six inches of icy snow. If you are lucky enough to practice outdoors, every batted ball comes with a nice sting, as the wind brings your eyes to tears. Fun stuff. That's why after tearing up America East pitching in 2022, a former University at Albany baseball star got signed by the New York Mets in July. This week he helped the single-A St. Lucie Mets win a championship.
Luke Bryan Parties With Former New York Jets’ Heisman Trophy?
OK, if your trophy is partying with a country star more than you are and you're a former NFL quarterback, something is wrong. We all know that trophies really can't get after it but for a good cause, they can certainly be used to have some fun. One former New York Jets quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner is using his collegiate celebration hardware to raise money for good causes.
Upstate New York College Student Shot & Killed In Tampa
A 19th birthday celebration. A late night mistake of getting into the wrong car. Now, the parents of a young upstate New York college student are trying to put together the pieces after their college student was shot and killed early on Saturday morning.