The Round Ball Report family

 

The Round Ball Report all things basketball is seen on local cable television CTV 76 in Prince Georges County, Maryland.  For over two decades the program has been The Farm Team for producing sports media personalities and a training ground for behind the scenes technicians in radio and television nationally.

The Executive Producers are the dynamic husband and wife team of Andrew and Darlene Dyer.

Christy would learn her sports broadcasting lessons from her mentor Andrew Dyer who brought her on the Round Ball Report and made her the co-host of the show.  The best cross-over move in local sports talk television.

Her resume has been unchallenged in a industry dominated by ego tripping males. She was an All-American high school basketball player at South Lakes in Reston, Virginia.  Christy led South Lakes to an undefeated season her senior year (29-0) and to a state title.

She averaged 23 points a game and 14 rebounds and 6 block shots.  Christy closed out her high school career scoring 1,785 points, 1,075 rebounds and 492 block shots.  She now resides in the South Lakes High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Christy’s star continued to shine and rise at the University of Maryland it was here she scored 1,679 points (second most in school history) grabbed 723 rebounds ( 4^th in school history), and played in 123 games ( No. 1 in school history).  In 1989 she help Maryland win their 8^th ACC title and led the team to their 3^rd Final 4 appearance.  She was named First Team All-ACC and Kodak All-East Region while leading the team in scoring with 533 points.

WNBA had not arrived on the pro basketball scene so she took her ball and headed overseas for parts unknown.  First stop, Pistoria, Italy and then on to Fribourg, Switzerland where she spent two years, she averaged an eye-popping 37 points a game and 12 rebounds, with a career high 48 points.

She returned home and put her priorities in order, family, coaching and broadcasting.

Her first coaching jobs would be at George Mason (assistant), Maryland (assistant), and Georgetown (assistant).  She returned to her alma mater South Lakes in 2005.  The school was on life support (0-21).  She would become a breath of fresh air and add new life to the program.

In 2009 Christy was named the Liberty District Coach of the Year and there was no stopping her now. In 2013 South Lakes qualified for state tournament with a 24-6 record for the first time since Christy took them there in 1986.

She was named the “Women in Sports Coach of the Year” which recognized the top female coach in any sport in Fairfax County.  In 2014 South Lakes won the District Championship, their first in 27 years.

The Round Ball Report experience would lay the foundation for her career in sports broadcasting.

There would be many bumps in the road as it related to the press media table access.  The early Verizon Center PR Media staff treated The Round Ball Report and minority media like “Second Class” media outlets.  It brought back memories of the old home of the Bullets at Capitol Center in the 70s.   The press table was split down the middle at half-court, white media on the left and black media on the right.  I know this is history some would rather forget.

When we were colored: WHUR Radio’s the late Ron Sutton and I share a laugh at Bullet’s press table in the 70s.

Enter, Brian McIntyre (NBA Media VP) and Scott Hall (Wizards PR) these two men have open doors for women and minority media as it related to an air of fairness at Verizon Center (I can only speak for Verizon Center).  Scott checked his ego at the door and was willing to listen to our grevancies.

Christy had never been to an NBA All-Star Game and had been denied credentials for the game in LA in 1994.  She ask me to help her get there.

Mr. McIntyre and Scott picked up the ball from that point on and Christy and a crew from the Round Ball Report were credential and were able to attend their first All-Star game.

I suspected that Phil was on the way out when I heard him, Christy and Steve Buckhantz broadcasting a Wizard’s game together last month.  I told my wife Hattie, “Phil Chenier is a Dead Man Walking!”

Phil supported my non-profit Kids In Trouble/Inside Sports endeavors, celebrity tennis tournaments and Christmas Toy Parties, etc.

1982 Inside Sports Celebrity Tennis Tournament: Back row L-R: Adrian Dantley, Carlos Terry, Adrian Branch, Earl Monroe, Phil Chenier, Betsy Stockard, Hattie T, Renee Pousaint, Timmy Newsome, Donnie Simpson, William Outlaw, Bad News Barnes, Craig Brewer, Bernie Bickerstaff, Freddy Scott, Kevin Warren. Kneeling: Thurston McLain, HBell, Calvin Woodland and little Phil Chenier, Jr.

He was a great jump shooting guard for the 1978-79 Washington Bullets champioship team, but his career as a color analyst was mediocre at best.  He was definitely bless to have lasted 33 years in a cut-throat business (hats off to Ted Leonis).  His jersey number definitely should be retired after 41 years with the organization.

Owner Abe Polin and his favorite player Wes Unseld share a championship moment immediately after the game (1978-79).

The man who marched to his own drummer Elvin Hayes reflects on the year with me and Nike rep John Phillips at a Nike reception for the champions at the downtown Hilton Hotel in NW DC.

 Elvin later visits Nike store in Georgetown

Christy is the logical choice to replace Phil, she has paid her dues and deserves the job hands down.  I could be wrong and if I am, we have not progressed as much as I thought.