Between The Lines

Thursday, October 23, 2025: Ithaca College football is back in action Saturday, hosting Union with first place in the Liberty League on the line. The Bombers enter off a bye week, having won five straight since their season-opening loss to Johns Hopkins. Strong safety Joe Spirra has helped anchor a defense allowing just over seven points per game during that stretch. He joins the show to preview the matchup and reflect on what’s fueled the Bombers’ recent success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025: The SUNY Cortland men's hockey season officially gets underway next Friday at home when the Red Dragons open the year against Lebanon Valley. It also marks the return of the team's annual Stop Suicide Charity Game and Resource Fair. The Red Dragons have raised over $52,000 in five years for the Central New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Resource Fair will be held at 6pm in the Park Center Hall of Champions area on the second floor. If you would like more information on the game or would like to consider making a donation, you can find out how by clicking this link.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday, October 21, 2025: ESPN Ithaca's Community Gamechangers recognizes individuals throughout the Finger Lakes who have made an impact in our sports community. For more than 20 years, Hank Neubert has been a fixture in Tompkins County athletics - coaching, mentoring, and officiating across multiple sports. Now serving as Newfield’s Athletic Director, Hank continues to go above and beyond for his student-athletes. Whether he’s cheering from the sidelines at home or traveling to support his teams on the road, his commitment to the Trojan community runs deep. Respected by coaches, players, and even former athletes who still stop to say hello, Hank has built a reputation rooted in integrity, connection, and care. He’s helping shape a culture that values teamwork, academic success, and community pride - hallmarks of what makes Newfield athletics so special. Click here to nominate someone you believe should be recognized as ESPN Ithaca's Community Game Changer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025: Cortland volleyball is on fire - winners of 11 straight, including Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory over Morrisville at Corey Gym. Leading the charge is Kira Pirrera, a four-time SUNYAC Offensive Athlete of the Week who’s averaging 4.72 points and 4.11 kills per set. She joins the show to break down the Red Dragons’ hot streak and talk about how her game has taken another step forward this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, October 10, 2025: Playoff baseball’s been bumping Between the Lines off the air all week… so let’s make up for it with a few brews! Alex Jankowski joins Nick Karski in-studio for a Wagner Valley Brewing Tasting Tuesday - on a Friday! The guys crack open the award-winning Cross-Section IPA and dive into the brewery’s newest creation, Gourd Vibrations. Check out the latest beer and happenings at WagnerBrewing.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025: Cornell football head coach Dan Swanstrom met with the media ahead of Friday night’s nationally televised road game at Harvard. Swanstrom discussed the play of quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio, the emergence of running back Ricardo Lagares, and the challenge of facing Harvard’s potent offense in this week four matchup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, September 26, 2025: ESPN Ithaca's Community Gamechangers recognizes individuals throughout the Finger Lakes who have made an impact in our sports community. For 17 years, Ed Heslop has been the heart of Southern Cayuga basketball. As head coach of the girls basketball program, he’s guided teams while instilling competitiveness, hard work, and resilience in his players. Year after year, no matter the roster, Ed found a way to bring out the best in his athletes and lead them to sectional play. For decades and now in retirement, his love for the game remains strong. He is revered across the IAC as a coach whose teams are never easy to face. Ed’s true legacy is the countless players he’s helped grow on and off the court and the legacy he has helped build in Southern Cayuga. Click here to nominate someone you believe should be recognized as ESPN Ithaca's Community Game Changer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, September 26, 2025: After last week’s three-point season-opening loss to Albany, Big Red football turns the page to Week 2 and their Ivy League opener at Yale in New Haven. Hear from Head Coach Dan Swanstrom as he breaks down this week’s quarterback decision, Yale’s offensive attack, and what makes Ryder Kurtz a dynamic weapon at tight end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025: The non-conference slate of SUNY Cortland men's soccer season has wrapped up and the Red Dragons finished 5-1-2 heading into this weekend's SUNYAC opener against New Paltz. Head Coach Steve Axtell joins the show to look back at the team's first eight games, the Red Dragons' tough defense, and also discusses his charitable standup paddleboard excursion from the summer. Learn more about Steve's fundraising efforts here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, September 19, 2025: A new season of Cornell football begins on Saturday when the Big Red travel up to the Capital Region to take on Albany at 7pm. Head Coach Dan Swanstrom met with the media on Thursday to preview the game and discuss the team's preparation for the new year, including who will be at quarterback for the opener. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday, September 18, 2025: Ithaca College volleyball is off to a 5-3 start, thanks in big part to the Liberty League's Volleyball Performer of the Week, Wesley Slavin. The junior helped the Bombers pick up wins against No. 4 Johns Hopkins and No. 7 MIT heading into this weekend's Bomber Invitational. She joins the show to look back at last week's success and discuss what's been going right for the team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Cortland football earned its first victory of the Tom Blumenauer era with a 30-6 win over Union last Saturday. Anthony Luciano was a key factor, coming up with a second-quarter interception in the end zone and later forcing and recovering a fumble in the end zone for the Red Dragons. He joins the show to reflect on the win and share what went right for the team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, September 12, 2025: A seismic three-game series begins in Boston tonight as the Red Sox host the Yankees for the final time this season. We get a preview of the Sox with 98.5 The Sports Hub's Matt McCarthy ahead of game one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday, September 11, 2025: Ithaca College men's soccer is off and running to an unbeaten start through the first four games and a big piece to this year's success has been senior goalkeeper Bryson Shaull. The Liberty League's Defensive Performer of the Week joins the show to look back at the start and discuss what's helped the Bombers to begin 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025: On Saturday, seven new members will be inducted into the SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame, including longtime men's basketball head coach and former player Tom Spanbauer. As the program’s all-time wins leader and six-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year, he joins Nick Karski to reflect on his playing days, nearly three decades on the sideline, and the honor of being inducted into the C-Club Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025: Last Friday, legendary Cornell and Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. Former Cornell men's hockey head coach Mike Schafer joins Nick Karski in-studio to remember and pay tribute to the hockey icon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, September 5: NFL Week 1 kicks off with a heavyweight clash as the Bills host the Ravens. ESPN Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg joins us to break down Buffalo’s season outlook, the players who must rise to the occasion, and what to expect in Sunday’s showdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, September 3: Cortland football is less than three days away from opening up a new season and they'll be doing it with new head coach Tom Blumenauer. He joins the show to look back at the preseason, discuss the Red Dragons' offensive weapons and preview Saturday's opener against No. 23 Grove City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday, September 2: Fall is here, football is back, and the flavor of the season is pouring inside the ESPN Ithaca studios! Alex Jankowski joins Nick Karski for another round of Wagner Valley Brewing’s Tasting Tuesday. The guys dive into their beloved Bills’ upcoming season while raising a glass to the return of Field Day Harvest Lager and Fassenbock. Check out the latest beer and happenings at WagnerBrewing.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, August 27: ESPN Ithaca's Community Gamechangers recognizes individuals throughout the Finger Lakes who have made an impact in our sports community. For more than 25 years, Eric Cyker has been the driving force behind adult ice hockey in Ithaca. As the founding president of the Ithaca Adult Hockey Association since 1999, he’s built a league that welcomes players of all skill levels - from lifelong competitors to those lacing up skates for the very first time. Under Eric’s leadership, the league has grown to as many as eight teams, drawing hundreds of athletes who return year after year. Registration is so popular it often fills up within the first hour. Beyond league play, Eric organizes summer pick-up games to introduce new players, creating a welcoming space that makes the transition into organized hockey easy and enjoyable. His commitment has always been about more than just the sport - it’s about fostering community, inclusion, and a love of the game. While much of his work happens behind the scenes, Eric’s dedication has made hockey in Ithaca thrive and will keep the association strong for years to come. Click here to nominate someone you believe should be recognized as ESPN Ithaca's Community Game Changer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.