Watertown, NY, Oct 23, 2012 — Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, TAUNY, handed out its annual North Country Heritage Awards on Sunday -- honoring North Country traditions. Watertown has had a love of football for more than a century. The Watertown Red & Black is the oldest semi-pro team in the U.S. It began back in 1896. In its first decades, the team featured the sons of immigrants who worked in local factories and young men who had been star players in local high schools. More recently, over half of the roster is soldiers from Fort Drum.

George Ashcraft was a middle linebacker for the team in the early 1970s. This year marks his 22nd year as head coach. Todd Moe spoke with him about coaching a football team that is a cultural icon in Watertown.  Go to full article

Dec 23, 2010 — For the third straight year, high school sports seasons will be shorter in New York as a shaky economy has school districts looking to save money.

Cuts vary by sport. Baseball teams that play 24 regular-season games will go to 20, football teams went from 10 games to 9 or 8, depending on regional officials. Chris Morris reports.  Go to full article

Oct 11, 2010 — This has been a year for the record books in Saranac Lake. The Red Storm football team hasn't just gone undefeated.

They've dominated their opponents by a combined score of 266-to-8.

Saturday's game against the Massena Red Raiders was the last home game of the season for the squad. Brian Mann was there and sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article

Oct 22, 2008 — Over the weekend, Saranac Lake beat Tupper Lake to claim the Mayor's Cup. It's a trophy bearing the scores of football games played between the two teams since 1989. It's a kind of Tri-Lake Stanley Cup. And the victorious team brings it back to sit in a prominent, revered spot in the high school trophy case. But that didn't happen this year. Tupper Lake bought a new trophy and gave it to Saranac Lake football coach and athletic director Mark Farmer. And he knows the Mayor's Cup and the rivalry as well as anyone. Farmer spoke with All Before Five host Jonathan Brown.  Go to full article

Jun 07, 2005 — A three person board controlled by Governor Pataki and the legislative leaders has rejected a proposal to build a new stadium for the New York Jets on Manhattan's West Side. It would also be used to host the 2012 Olympics and the Super Bowl. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Sep 27, 2004 — It was a big weekend for high school football in the Adirondacks. For the first time in five years, the Saranac Lake Redstorm beat their arch-rivals from Peru. As Brian Mann reports, the game was widely seen as a warm-up for the division championship.  Go to full article

Apr 23, 2004 — Todd Moe talks with former pro-football player Esera Tuaolo. He made his living as a 300-pound gladiator in the NFL, and played with some of football's greatest. Now, he's out as a gay man and is dedicated to making life better for young people - gay or straight. He visited SUNY-Canton Thursday with a message of tolerance.  Go to full article

Jan 28, 2003 — The SUPER BOWL was broadcast Sunday evening with its usual hoop-la. Resident theatre critic and football aficionado Connie Meng watched and has this review.  Go to full article

Jul 10, 2002 — David Sommerstein talks with Bob Cowser, player and treasurer for the newest team in the semi-pro Empire Football League, the St. Lawrence Valley Trailblazers.  Go to full article

Nov 30, 2001 — Martha Foley talks with Steve Ouellette, sports writer for the Plattsburgh Press Republican about high school football in the North Country, specifically, the Peru Indians' Class B Semifinal win over Harrison last week. The win lifts them into Saturday's state final.  Go to full article