The voice of Russia sports needs an assist

Russia Local School is finishing up a massive addition before their new gymnasium greets volleyball and basketball fans this fall and winter

The 2024-2025 Russia High School sports seasons are about to begin! Perhaps the most exciting news for Raider fans and teams is the approaching debut of a brand-new gymnasium! Fish Report is also excited to announce we’re on board to air live play-by-play action from the gym with our own team of talented and experienced broadcasters!

Tonya Hammonds is the area's only female color commentator and Tim Kearns is a veteran play-by-play announcer for high school volleyball

Brandon Koverman called 85 high
school sports contests last season

We’ll be covering most home varsity contests for volleyball, girls basketball and boys basketball. Fans will ALWAYS be able to listen for FREE on our Fish Report audio channel. We’re also currently exploring opportunities to simulcast our live audio with streaming video from another source. If that happens, fans unable to attend the games in person will have TWO options for following the Raiders online.

To assist with broadcasting expenses, Fish Report is currently requesting advertising sponsorship. We anticipate calling 30-35 home varsity games. For $10 per game, your business or message will be promoted several times during each broadcast. At the conclusion of each sports season, we would invoice you a sum total based on the number of games called. We also have single game opportunities available for $25 per game. Advertising sponsorship is available for both Russia supporters and their rivals.

If you’d like to reserve your spot or have questions, please email csfish1620@gmail.com.

The trio of Dave Ross, Craig Fiessinger and Ken Francis are set to call the Russia girls basketball opener hosting Sidney on Friday, November 22nd

Raiders will reunite for softball and more

Russia Alumni's 2023 All-Tournament Team was a fun honor for a chosen few

The 24th Annual Russia Co-ed Alumni Tournament runs August 9th-11th. The event combines slo-pitch softball, "ice cold drinks" and camaraderie with Russia High School Alumni. It's also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Russia Park Board, which uses proceeds for improvements and maintenance to beautiful Russia Community Park.

Tournament drawing takes place July 24th and the entry fee of $150 per team is exactly the same as 2023. Individual and combined classes of Raider alumni (and sometimes a variety of non-Russia teammates) will open the tournament on Friday with 20 teams. Those 20 will be separated into five pools of four teams. Each team will then play the other teams in their pool, guaranteeing three games for everyone. After the pool play is over, the top two teams from each pool will advance to a single elimination tournament. To earn Sunday's championship title, #1-seeded teams will need to win three games in the bracket and #2-seeded teams will have to win four. If all that sounds confusing, you can read the entire list of rules, click here.

A couple notes and quotes directly from the Russia Park Board:

• It requires a lot of time and effort to keep this annual tradition rolling. We ask that you please sign up to be a concession or beer stand volunteer. We all appreciate it!
• Come hungry! Along with the Park Board’s world famous hot fires, some other tasty items on the menu this year will include the traditional shroom burgers, fried bologna, and fried chicken tenders! Of course, there will be a freezer full of popsicles and delicious ice cream cones for the kids!
• Don’t want to be surprised by a ruling on the field? Increase your knowledge of the game and take a glance at the rules of the tournament.
• Back by popular demand, the whacky and wild dinosaur race will take place Saturday night on Diamond 2 at approximately 8:00 pm. Calculate the odds and place your bets!
• As always, if you have a question, please reach out to one of the friendly Park Board member
Trevor Sherman: 937-638-1583
Aaron Condon: 937-638-8724
Mitch Bergman: 937-726-3593
Trevor Monnin: 937-726-6635
Mitchell Hoying: 937-638-3183
Zach Sherman: 937-726-5419
Colin Puthoff: 937-622-0050

Have fun Raiders and try not to pull any muscles!

The 2023 Champions from the Class of 2011

The 2023 Runner-Up from the Class of 2023