The Score, Samuel come to URI

10/05/04 - Students at the University of Rhode Island were surprised to see New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel in a live interview with sports radio station, The Score (99.7AM and 790FM) in the Memorial Union yesterday. "It's neat," said Keith Gilligan, a freshman at URI. "I was surprised because I listened to the radio in my car and heard that they were here. I ran back to the Union to see this."

Radio personalities Andy Gresh and Scott Cordischi broadcasted live for the station from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cordischi said it was the first time they broadcasted Monday night sports at URI in the station's seven years of existence.

The show's executive producer, John Crowe, said the station travels to different locations in Rhode Island to do live Monday night sports broadcasts. The live broadcasts promote businesses that host the traveling show.

"Ronzio's Pizza asked for The Score to come down to its location in URI to do its Monday night broadcast," said Jesse Shibley, the marketing executive for The Score.

During the broadcast, students and visitors were able to enter raffles for free T-shirts, movie tickets, and a grand prize of two tickets to a game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Joe Brody, a freshman at URI, was announced as the grandprize winner at the end of the show.

"I've been here the whole time," Brody said. "There were so many people here by the end. I thought I had no chance."

Visitors from all over the state and Massachusetts attended the broadcast for a chance to see Samuel.

"We are the only station who brings Patriots players to talk," said Jason
Martins, the Score's promotions manager. "There are some people who follow the station every Monday night so they can meet Patriots players."

Scott Changnan of southeastern Massachusetts came to URI to have Samuel autograph his Patriots cap after his radio interview. Chagnan said he has been following the station for years.

"It was pretty cool to come to URI," he said.

Samuel arrived on campus at 6:30 p.m., after practice with the team was let out. He said it was his first time visiting URI.

"I didn't get to see much," he said, "But it was nice to have all this support."

Samuel played football for the University of Central Florida, and was a fourth-round draft pick of the Patriots last year.