The Rocket Liftoff Podcast

It was delayed by over 5 months and significantly adjusted, but The 2020 MAC Volleyball season was played. Roughly 2 weeks after the finish of the regular season, Coach Jason Oliver is already looking ahead to this Fall. He sits down to talk with Brent Balbinot about 11 underclassmen on a roster of 18 going through their trial by fire, and high expectations once August arrives. See Privacy Policy...

After two weeks on the road to start The MAC schedule, The University of Toledo Softball Team made a triumphant return to Scott Park last weekend, winning 3 of 4 versus Northern Illinois. Coach Joe Abraham, and players Dayna Denner, Anna Dixon and Jenna Kroll sit down with Brent Balbinot to discuss the transition from a lost year and the significant changes due to COVID, to playing some of their b...

As the Spring Semester looks more than a little different for University of Toledo athletes, sports are being played. A mix of caution, perseverance and a lot of work behind the gameday scenes has allowed for competition to continue despite the challenges of COVID. Senior Athletic Director Kelly Andrews oversees nine different sports. She joins Brent Balbinot to recap how the athletic department a...

There are an estimated half a million NCAA student athletes competing at various levels across the nation. At The University of Toledo approximately 400 wear the Rocket uniform in 16 different sports. Keeping them eligible and on track to graduate is an important job that largely takes place behind the scenes. Associate Director for Student Athlete Academic Services Tony Belt, and Assistant Direct...

A combination of injuries and inexperience has forced The University of Toledo Baseball coaching staff to put multiple different lineups on the field through the first 20 games of the season. With The MAC portion of the schedule now opened up, they putting things to the test. Head Coach Rob Reinstetle sits down with Brent Balbinot to recap how The Rockets got here, and where they go from now. See...

The snow has been pushed off the fields around the midwest as the first of two seasons in one year opened last week for MAC Soccer Teams. Decimated by injuries, The University of Toledo nearly pulled out their first win of 2021 last Sunday vs. NIU. Head Coach TJ Buchholz sits down with Brent Balbinot to break down some unique position assignments that have been born out of necessity, as well as pr...

The Toledo and Ball St. Men's Basketball Teams wrapped up the regular season with a split....both programs winning on their home court. They will meet for the second time in less than a week this Thursday in the QuarterFinals of The MAC post-season tournament. Brent Balbinot sits down with Cardinals radio announcer Joel Godett to preview the rubber match and discuss whether the conference gets the...

As the Toledo Men's Basketball Team closes in on a regular season championship and a possible #1 seed at The MAC Tournament, there is a lot to play for. Analysts Rhett Boyd and Jay Lehman join Brent Balbinot to break down the schedule moving forward....and discuss where this team ranks in the long and storied history of the program. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...

There is no off-season for track & field athletes....cross country segues into the indoor season....which transitions into the outdoor season. After a 2nd place finish at last fall's MAC cross country championships, The Rocket women's track team is preparing for the indoor season conference meet in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Director of Track & Field Andrea Grove-McDonough sits down with Bren...

The University of Toledo Varsity T Club is more than just a social group for former athletes and coaches....It's a valuable support system that also gives back to the university's athletic programs. Board members Brent Reed, Amy Galvan and Jeff Hepinstall talk with Brent Balbinot about membership, future projects and the upcoming Varsity T Hall of Fame Induction in the Fall. See Privacy Policy at...

While most of the midwest has several inches of snow on the ground and temperatures below freezing, the UT Baseball team is practicing for the season opener in 2 weeks at UC-Upstate. Coach Rob Reinstetle and crew are hungry to play after having last season halted just 16 games into competition due to COVID. He breaks down the roster with Brent Balbinot in this edition of the Rocket Liftoff Podcast...

It has been over a year since the University of Toledo Soccer Team has suited up for an official match. It's an exhibition, but The Rockets cannot wait for the whistle to sound on February 3rd vs. Dayton. Coach TJ Buchholz joins Brent Balbinot on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

The University of Toledo Men's Basketball Team made it 9 wins in their last 10 games with an 89-72 victory over Central Michigan. At 7-1 in conference play, a team that has had to re-invent itself more than once this season is playing some of their best basketball. Assistant Coach Justin Ingram sits down with Brent Balbinot to talk some coaching, give a little insight on this roster's personalitie...

The University of Toledo Men's Basketball team sits alone atop The MAC standings as the only remaining unbeaten in the conference....accomplishing the feat through a lot of reinvention. Analyst Rhett Boyd joins Brent Balbinot to break it down, and preview a big matchup at Akron on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

It's been nearly 6 months since The MAC announced the postponement of the volleyball season to after the first of the year due to COVID. Now the midnight blue and gold are just a couple of weeks from opening up a conference-only slate. Coach Jason Oliver tells Brent Balbinot this year's edition of Toledo will have a different look. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...

Coming off a big road win at Marshall, the University of Toledo men's basketball team has two games left in the month of December. Analyst Rhett Boyd sits down with Brent Balbinot to breakdown the season to date, as well as preview the upcoming MAC schedule. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Saturday marks the regular season finale of the COVID shortened season. Toledo looks to finish on a 2-game win streak and avenge a 49-7 loss at Mt. Pleasant when they welcome Central Michigan to The Glass Bowl. Chippewas play-by-pay announcer Adam Jaksa joins Brent Balbinot for a preview on this edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...

With the postponement of the fall season due to COVID, the UT Soccer team has another four and a half months to wait before they can officially suit up. Head Coach TJ Buchholz says that isn't stopping his program from continued practice and preparation right now. He joins Brent Balbinot in the latest edition of The Rocket Liftoff Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ...

The NCAA allows college baseball teams 45 days in the fall to have full practices. At the University of Toledo they are taking full advantage of that. Second year Head Coach Rob Reinstetle joins Brent Balbinot to recap a season cut short last Spring and looks ahead for this year's roster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-...

The MAC 2020 Football Season is just weeks away, but it took months of discussion to make it happen. It also is taking significant extra work by medical and training staff to ensure it is played to completion. UT Head Team Physician Dr. Roger Kruse and Associate Athletic Trainer for football Adam Barta join Brent Balbinot to break down what is happening behind the scenes. See Privacy Policy at htt...

It has only been a few months, but first year Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach Jessie Ivey is already making an impact on the program. She sits down with Brent Balbinot to discuss everything from the appeal of the program to what fans can expect this season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

First year co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Robert Weiner has been getting the most out of his players despite limited practice due to COVID. Now that The MAC has given the green light for a fall schedule, he joins Brent Balbinot to break down the competition at the position and the philosophy fans can expect to see beginning November, 4th. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr...