From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Matt Larson is associate atheltic director for athletic communications at MSU and is sports information director for Spartan basketball.

Matt talks about what sports information is and offers his advice for young people who want to follow in his footsteps. He talks about how sports information and communcations has changed in the ten years he’s been in the business.

“More and more we communicate directly with our fan base,” says Larson. “We have the best access to behind-the-scenes footage. In the past we might have given that access to a media outlet; now we post exclusive content at msuspartans.com.”

Larson talks about the keys to a successful tourney run for the ‘09 Spartans and talks about working with Tom Izzo.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 27:49 – 16 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Karole White is president and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

“We are the trade association for all the radio and television stations in Michigan,” says White. “We help our members better serve their communities. No other industry works as hard at serving their community as local broadcasters.”

White talks about the challenges involved in making sure the public is aware of television’s transition to digital broadcasting. She also talks about the issues and challenges facing broadcasters in the years ahead.

“As long as broadcasters remain true to their mission of serving their communities, radio and TV stations will remain viable businesses no matter how they’re delivering information to consumers.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 7:48 – 4.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Magic Johnson was back on the MSU campus in February 2009 as the 1979 NCAA championship basketball team reunited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its title.

Magic held a press conference and touched on everything from his close ties to Tom Izzo and the current MSU program to how he thinks Jenison rocked more than Breslin does. He reflects on the run to the title in ‘79 and says the championship is the highlight of his illustrious career.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear Magic’s comments 15:00 – 8.6 mb mp3

On video: Magic summarizes the thoughts he shares in the podcast:

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Gary Reid is the general manager of MSU’s award-winning student radio station, 88.9 FM The Impact. The Impact celebrates its 20th birthday on February 24, 2009.

Reid talks about how WDBM got started and discusses the station’s mission. He talks about how the Impact – and the radio industry in general – has changed over the 20 years WDBM has been on the air.

And Reid looks ahead to the Impact’s next 20 years and looks into his crystal ball to predict where the radio business is headed in the future.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 28:38 – 16.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Dr. Mary Nettleman chairs the MSU Department of Medicine.

She describes her recent research that found that the simple intervention of providing women who are having unprotected sex with a home pregnancy test could have a substantial impact on the health of potential newborns.

In research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Nettleman found that significantly more women who had a home pregnancy test at home not only suspected they could be pregnant but also took tests much more frequently.

“The top reason women do not seek prenatal care if they do not realize they are pregnant,” said Nettleman, chairperson of the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Medicine. “In addition, women who do not realize they are pregnant will not change harmful behaviors such as drinking and smoking, which can lead to developmental problems in newborns.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 12:06 – 7 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Ron Dzwonkowski is associate editor of the Detroit Free Press.

He talks about journalism’s move away from paper toward the Web and about Freep.com’s mission.

And Ron gives his views on news of the day from the beginning of the Obama Administration and the end of the Bush Administration to Kwame Kilpatrick and the fate of Detroit’s Big Three automakers.

“The automotive industry will still be the cornerstone of the Michigan economy for at least the next two years,” Ron says. “But they have to become smarter and more nimble and really make some of the changes they’ve been talking about making for years.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:45 – 11.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumnus and National Public Radio White House correspondent Don Gonyea talks about the challenges facing the Obama Administration – like the plight of America’s Big Three automakers.

Gonyea also talks about how technology has changed over the years and impacted his reporting. And he says there will always be a place for good journalism whether it be on the air or on the Web.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 30:42 – 17.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumnus Bill Mechanic was back in town for a prescreening of his latest movie, “Coraline,” the first stop-motion film to be shot in 3-D.

Mechanic talks about the viability of a growing film business in Michigan and gives his thoughts on what schools like MSU can do to meet this new job market. He also gives his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the movie industry.

“A lot of kids naturally have technology skills,” says Mechanic. “But schools can help kids hone critical writing skills because the best games and movies tell a compelling story amdist the technology.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 14:06 – 8.1 mb mp3