The Rocket Liftoff Podcast

In the Fall of 2013, Jordan Lauf stepped onto the University of Toledo campus as a Freshman on the Men's Basketball roster. He's never left. Over the last 9 years as a player, Graduate Assistant and Director Of Operations, his career took the next step earlier this month when he was promoted to Assistant Coach. He joins Brent Balbinot to look back on his time at UT and his transition into a positi...

As a standout point guard at Gahanna high school, Stevie Taylor was a sought after recruit by the University of Toledo. After a thoughtful process, he chose Ohio University to play his college ball. Now at age 30, Coach Tod Kowalczyk has landed Taylor for a different position: Director of Operations. The newest member of the staff sits down with Brent Balbinot to discuss an impressive career as a...

The University of Toledo Baseball Team has won 13 of their last 16 games and currently sit in 4th place in The MAC standings. Head Coach Rob Reinstetle joins Brent Balbinot to break down his team's play and preview the final two weeks of the regular season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In just two seasons, The University of Toledo Football Defense has gone from being one of the most giving units in the nation to one of the stingiest. A big part of that successful transformation has been the performance of the front four. Three members of "The Wrecking Crew"--Cavon Butler, Terrance Taylor and All MAC 1st Team selection Jamal Hines sit down with Brent Balbinot to recap last season...

Thirty-three years ago, Dave Nottke began his career at the University of Toledo as a student-manager for the Rocket Men's Basketball Team. A couple weeks ago, The Deputy Director of Athletics officially announced his retirement. From fundraising to facilities, enhancing the student-athlete experience to advice for his successor....Nottke sits down with Brent Balbinot to discuss a career that has...

On February 21st, Bryan Blair was officially announced as the new University of Toledo Athletic Director. With a career ranging from team captain during his football playing days at Wofford, to Deputy Athletics Director at Washington State, Blair brings tremendous ideas and energy to the position. He also brings a humility that includes trusting the current members of his staff. Blair sits down wi...

In 2017 Tycen Anderson joined the University of Toledo Football team as a skinny, baby-faced 185lb defensive back. Five seasons later he graduates as a 210lb, 2-Time All-MAC selection, a 4-Time Academic All-MAC honoree and a strong candidate for next week's NFL Draft. He sits down with Brent Balbinot to recap his career at UT, and give a preview to what he hopes awaits at the professional level. S...

The University of Toledo Soccer Team is finally healthy and getting their legs underneath them during the Spring Exhibition Season. The roster depth has allowing the coaching staff to make some position changes and tailor a new offense designed to be more aggressive in the attacking third of the field. Coach TJ Buchholz sits down with Brent Balbinot on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast. S...

The 2022 indoor track & field season is heading into week #4 for the University of Toledo. Through the first month, strong performances have been turned in by both some familiar names and several newcomers. Director of Track & Field Andrea Grove-McDonough joins Brent Balbinot to breakdown the roster on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

The University of Toledo Baseball Team took 2 out of 3 games with one postponed to a later date over the weekend against Miami. Currently sitting in 4th place in The MAC standings, The Rockets have a golden opportunity to make a move when they host conference leader Ball State this weekend at Scott Park. Cardinals play-by-play announcer Joel Godett joins Brent Balbinot to give a preview on this ed...

The University of Toledo Volleyball Team made history last season, becoming the first squad in school history to receive a post-season invitation. Their first round win in the NIVC also gave them the distinction of being the first team in school history to win a post-season match. With the bulk of the roster set to return this Fall: the future is bright. Head Coach Jason Oliver sits down with Bren...

The University of Toledo Athletic Department has hundreds of student athletes competing in 16 different programs. March is National Athletic Training Month. Behind the scenes, an athletic training staff of 14 spends countless hours to keep them all in uniform. McKenzie Haines, Emily Loew, Aaron Wass and Devin Cassity sit down with Brent Balbinot to give an overview of what it's like to work in the...

Both the University of Toledo Men's & women's Basketball teams earned the #1 seed at this week's MAC Postseason Tournament. Now the call goes out to Midnight Blue & Gold fans to pack Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Director of Ticket Sales & service, Justin Morelli joins Brent Balbinot to update fans on how the process will be different this season....and gives a reminder about ordering se...

March Madness takes center state in a couple of weeks....but April is Donate Life Month. A special cause to the University of Toledo, and in particular to the Men's Basketball Team. One donor has the power to save the life of up to 8 people through organ donation, and hundreds more through tissue donation. Life Connection of Ohio Director of Community Services Kara Steele gives some details as joi...

The Toledo Men's Basketball Team blew the doors off arch rival Bowling Green in their first matchup this season: final score 91-78. This Friday the two teams will meet in the regular season finale. The Rockets have already secured a spot in The MAC post-season tournament, while The Falcons need a win (and some help) to do the same. B.G. play-by-play announcer Todd Walker sits down with Brent Balbi...

With the emergence last season of Dequan Finn, The University of Toledo has a rising star at quarterback. That doesn't mean there won't be competition at the position. Spring Practice is just around the corner. Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Robert Weiner sits down with Brent Balbinot to recap last year and preview the upcoming season on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast....

A 21-19 conference record and 5th place finish in The MAC last season might have surprised people outside of Scott Park, but The University of Toledo Baseball Team considered it more of a statement. The Rockets are looking to continue their climb in 2022. With the start of the season just over a week away, Coach Rob Reinstetle sits down with Brent Balbinot to preview a Spring with high expectation...

The University of Toledo Women's Tennis Team won their final 9 matches last season to finish 11-3 in The MAC. With 8 of their 9 top players returning, they have picked up where they left off to begin the indoor season this year...off to a 3-1 record. Coach Traci Mauntler, Cassie Acala and Sloane Teske join Brent Balbinot on this edition of the Rocket Liftoff Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://...

The University of Toledo Men's Basketball Team used a 12-5 and 14-5 second half run to defeat Ball St. at Savage Arena 83-70. In first place in The MAC, The Rockets travel to the fifth place Cardinals this weekend for the rematch. Ball St. play-by-play announcer Joel Godett joins Brent Balbinot to give a preview. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

The Toledo Men's Basketball Team looks to finish a full home week strong when they host Akron in a nationally televised game on Friday night. The Rockets currently sit alone atop The MAC standings, while the Zips are sitting in 4th place and trying to keep pace. Zips play-by-play announcer Dave Skoczen joins Brent Balbinot to preview a big conference matchup at Savage Arena on this edition of The...

Roughly one month into The MAC schedule, Toledo and Ohio have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. On Friday night, the top two teams in the conference are scheduled to meet in a big showdown in Athens. Bobcat T.V. voice Marty Bannister joins Brent Balbinot to preview the game. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-...

The Battle for I-75 picks up this week as the Toledo Men's Basketball Team travels to arch-rival Bowling Green for the first of two meetings this season. Off to a 12-4 overall record and 4-1 in The MAC, The Rockets are in 2nd place in the conference standings. The Falcons have struggled to 8-7 overall and 1-3...sitting one spot out of the cellar. Falcons play-by-play announcer joins Brent Balbinot...

It's been roughly one month since the University of Toledo Football Team hung up the gear for the season following their Bahamas Bowl appearance. For the coaching staff, the work load is still heavy....but the responsibilities have changed. Tightends Coach Mark Staten joins Brent Balbinot to go over everything from film breakdown, the incoming recruiting class and how the transfer portal has chang...

Toledo Men's Basketball is off to a 10-4 overall and 2-1 conference record through early January. With a diverse roster...from youth to experience, and a variety of different backgrounds, the team chemistry is strong. Juniors AJ Edu, RayJ Dennis and Freshman Kooper Jacobi sit down with Brent Balbinot to talk a little bit of everything on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast. See Privacy Poli...

When Vince Kehres took over as Defensive Coordinator for the University of Toledo Football Team two seasons ago, The Rockets had just come off a season ranked #93 nationally in pass defense and #101 in scoring defense. Flash forward to the end of his second season, and those numbers had improved to #17 and #27 respectively. Coach Kehres sits down with Brent Balbinot to analyze the regular season,...