Neal Ruhl is my guest on this episode of Conversations with Sports Fans. A native of metro-Detroit, Neal’s been broadcasting since his college days in the early 2010s at Oakland University.
I’m joined in this episode by Detroit-area sports broadcaster, Neal Ruhl.
A native of Roseville, MI, a graduate of Fraser High School and Oakland University, Neal’s about as Detroit born-and-bred as you’ll find.
It’s no surprise, then, that some of his earliest memories of being a sports fan are of the Detroit Tigers and a father who was all too eager to feed the beast that was a burgeoning sports fan.
In a small world moment, Neal’s love of the Detroit Tigers seemed fated as he notes during our Conversation that his biggest mentor in the broadcasting business is Mario Impemba, who served as the television voice of the Tigers from 2002-18. During his off-season, Impemba called OU basketball games which is where Neal, as a student, first got started in the business … and to know and work with Impemba.
Neal succeed Impemba in 2014 when he became responsible for all Golden Grizzlies‘ athletics’ broadcasting responsibilities. A year later, he began doing Detroit City Football Club‘s television play-by-play and continues to do so a decade later. He fills some of his idle time by hosting the Woodward Sports Network‘s Big D Energy show streaming weekdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with frequent co-host, Detroit Red Wings’ icon, Darren McCarty. He also fills in, as needed, doing work for the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls radio teams.
Along the way, Neal shares his thoughts on the profession, some advice for potential broadcasters, and a few stories about what it’s like to work with 42-year OU men’s basketball coach, Greg Kampe. (Hint: It’s never boring!)