By Adam Roberts – 11/4/2021

Anyone who knows me well knows I fumble my words sometimes when trying to say something ultra meaningful, so I’ll keep my thoughts very quick and concise.

Today is my final day at ESPN La Crosse 105.5. After nearly five years at the position, I’ll be heading out to the next chapter of my story.

There’s so many people to thank for making my time here an incredible experience. I have to start with the late William Hoffman, our former station manager. He saw in me a 23 year old looking for their first full-time chance in this crazy world called radio broadcasting. Back in 2017 I had to choose between this position and a television production job in Fresno, California. Needless to say, I think my skills were put to better use staying in an area I’ve come to love very much. And none of it would have been possible if Willy didn’t take a chance on me that day.

I also have to thank Ben, our station’s program director, and John Poppadopoulos. They both have been treasure troves of advice and knowledge on how this industry functions on and off mic. They both are highly talented individuals that our company is very blessed to have had for so long, and I know they’ll both make sure the next person to hold this position is even more prepared to give you the best area sports radio coverage possible.

I also want to thank all the incredible reporters, anchors, writers, announcers, and highlight gatherers that help cover local sports in the La Crosse area. People like Rick Wilson, Scott Emerich, Todd Sommerfeldt, Karley Marotta, Nate Beier, Ken Kosirowski, and Gregg Wavrunek were people I looked up to as I was working my way to this point as people willing to go wherever and whenever there is local sports to cover.

I want to send a HUGE thanks to all the coaches, athletes, athletic directors, parents, and administrators I’ve worked with, interviewed, or emailed over last five years. The work that goes into making sports happen, especially during the pandemic, can’t be understated. I’ve seen with my own eyes how much planning and executing happens to make every area contest go off with as few hitches as possible. You all are absolutely amazing and should be commended for all your hard work.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has listened to ESPN La Crosse 105.5 or ESPN 102.1 since I started in 2017. We do our very best to provide you with quality local and state sports coverage, and I hope that you feel I’m leaving the station in a better place than it was when I arrived. I feel incredibly thankful anytime someone comes up to me while I’m in La Crosse and says “Hey, you’re the guy who does the local sports updates on ESPN!” I’ll always appreciate the beauty that comes with working in a small market and hope I can bring that same feel to the next stop on my journey.

I’ve been incredibly honored to work at ESPN La Crosse 105.5, and I know the next person who fills this position will do amazing work.

So for one final time, with this espnlacrosse.com article…

I’m Adam Roberts.

By Adam Roberts – 11/3/2021

While they are by no means going to be in the College Football Playoff, the first round of CFP rankings does feature Bucky.

Wisconsin earned the 21st spot on the list yesterday, thanks in large part to their upset win over previously #9 Iowa on Saturday.

Wisconsin is one of six Big Ten teams in the CFP Top 25, led by #3 Michigan State. Ohio State is in the five spot, one outside of the playoff field. Those two teams will meet in Columbus on November 20th.

The Badgers’ remaining schedule starts with a road trip to Rutgers this week, followed by games against Northwestern and Nebraska at home and a road trip to #20 Minnesota to finish the season.

By Adam Roberts – 11/2/2021

The Jaylon Smith era in Green Bay lasted just two games.

The team announced today the former Cowboys’ linebacker had been released not even one month after he had been signed. In his short time with the Packers, Smith recorded two total tackles.

This decision makes some sense for Green Bay; Smith clearly wasn’t performing at the rate the team had hoped for and releasing him didn’t come with a big price tag since the Cowboys are on the hook for his salary this year and Green Bay only had to pay the league minimum for him.

It also seemed inevitable since Smith was brought in mostly as filler while Krys Barnes dealt with a concussion. De’Vondre Campbell and Oren Burks have gotten plenty of snaps at the ILB position also.

Green Bay travels to Kansas City this Sunday.

By Adam Roberts – 11/1/2021

The Monday before the NFL Trade Deadlines is one of the busier days on the league calendar. With the reaction pouring in from the week before and about 24 hours remaining to make a deal, the pressure can be daunting on front offices of fringe playoff teams and contenders alike.

As for Green Bay, while anything can happen it doesn’t seem like any flashy deals are in the works for Gutekunst and Co. (as is tradition).

But at his Monday media availability, head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t rule out the possibility of Green Bay pursuing an opportunity for a new name either today or tomorrow.

“I think if the right opportunity presents itself, then that’s something that we could be involved with.” LaFleur said this afternoon. “I know that Gutey and his staff are working extremely hard to find something…it’s just whether or not the right opportunity presents itself.”

Teams have until 3pm tomorrow afternoon to strike a deal. The most notable so far hasbeen the Denver Broncos dealing defensive superstar Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams for a couple day two draft picks while also paying Miller’s salary.

By Adam Roberts – 10/28/2021

We won’t find out if Corbin Burnes is named the National League Cy Young winner until after the World Series ends, but we did get a glimpse today at some of the names being considered for the MLB’s Gold Glove awards.

Two of those names hail from the Brewers, and both have some experience with the fielding honor.

Second baseman Kolten Wong and centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. are both finalists this year. Wong has won the award the last two seasons and is a strong candidate once again in 2021; in 937 innings at second base, Wong committed just two errors all year and upped his fielding percentage a few points from 2020.

Bradley Jr. won a Gold Glove with the Red Sox in 2018; this season in centerfield he had a .990 fielding percentage.