SPORTS

Sports media: Terry Foster's return to 97.1 delayed

Tony Paul
The Detroit News
Terry Foster

Long-time 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) sports-talk radio host Terry Foster had planned on returning to the airwaves Oct. 3, following what he called a "minor stroke" suffered in August.

But his return has been delayed, and there's no update on a new target date for him to rejoin co-host Mike Valenti in the booth for the drive-time, ratings juggernaut.

Jimmy Powers, program director for 97.1, told The News in a text message: "I can't speak to his return, but look forward to him returning soon."

Foster, also in a text message to The News, confirmed he had a "setback," and, "don't know when I am returning."

Foster said he got sick again right before Oct. 3.

CBS Radio opened some eyes recently when it posted a job advertisement looking for on-air talent, but Powers suggested that had nothing to do with Foster's situation.

"We have postings all the time," said Powers, "looking for new talent."

Jeff Riger has been the main fill-in working alongside Valenti.

Valenti and Foster have teamed together since the early 2000s, building the show into what now is one of the highest-rated sports-talk programs in the nation.

Foster was a long-time sports reporter for The Detroit News.

Field to New York

Fox Sports Detroit alum Ryan Field continues to work his way up the TV food chain.

He just landed a mega-gig as lead sports anchor at WABC in New York -- New York being the biggest media market in the nation, and WABC being the best-rated station in the country.

Field heads to New York following a stint of more than three years anchoring for Fox Sports 1 in Los Angeles. He left for FS1 following 11 years at FSD, where he served as a studio host as well as a sideline reporter.

Before that, he worked at the Fox affiliate in Detroit.

In all, Field posted on Facebook that he's spent 19 years in the "Fox family."

"I'm looking forward to the next adventure," Field wrote on Facebook, "and can't wait to share more with all of you as it unfolds."

Field is an alum of Michigan State.

This and that

Bummer news here: Ryan Schuiling, a Lansing sports-talk radio host, is out as Michigan State's public-address announcer for men's basketball games. He worked one season, and did an admirable job. There's no word on his replacement.

... Also no word yet on how the FSD rotation will break down for Tigers games in 2017, but it has been confirmed that play-by-play man Mario Impemba and analyst Rod Allen will be back for another season together.

... Rico Beard, alum of now-defunct Detroit Sports 105.1 (WMGC-FM), recently landed a daily talk show in Lansing, the "Spartan Beat," heard weekdays from 6-7 p.m. on 92.1 The Team (WQTX-FM).

tpaul@detroitnews.com

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