The OSC Interview: Soul Radio Announcer Ari Wolfe
by Fran Stuchbury
March 27, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul
OurSports Central contributor Fran Stuchbury spoke to Philadelphia Soul radio announcer Ari Wolfe following Philadelphia's 71-47 victory over the Colorado Crush last week. Wolfe is entering his fourth season with the team after spending six seasons with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds. He also broadcasts college football and college basketball games for the University of Louisville.
Fran Stuchbury: Were you pleased with the Soul's overall performance on offense, defense and special teams?
Ari Wolfe: I thought it was a great team effort. To play this well without WR/LB Sean Scott, who is such an important part of this team, I think lets everyone realize that this is a team. They played great. I think beating a Mike Dailey coached team says a lot. They never defeated Colorado, and the fifth time was a charm. I think Philadelphia should feel real good about it.
FS: Do you feel the new rules have benefited the Soul? The Soul offensive line has done a much better job protecting QB Tony Graziani.
AW: I think it has really worked out well in terms of free agents. They went out and got OL Martin Bibla and Phil Bogle. Those two guys with Mike Mabry, nobody is getting near Tony Graziani, so that really is the key because they made good acquisitions with free agency. They took advantage of the rule change and have done as well as any team I have seen thus far. It's still early, and there are a lot more games to go.
FS: Are you pleased ESPN is on board as a broadcast partner?
AW: I think it's going to expose more people to Arena Football than ever before. I consider myself a hardcore AFL fan. If more people are going see it, more people are going to fall in love with it and it's good for the game. I hope that ESPN takes it, runs with it, and does an outstanding job.
FS: Do you have the same attachment to the Philadelphia Soul that you had with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds?
AW: It's funny when you ask me that on a day that I was hanging out with former Albany Firebirds coach Mike Dailey talking about the championship year in 1999. That group was very special. It was like a family. ESPN didn't really care about the AFL back in 1999. We didn't have rock star owners; we didn't have former NFL Hall of Fame quarterback as owners. We did it for a time that we all did everything together. Will I feel this way about the Soul? Hopefully eventually, but that Firebird thing was one of the greatest experiences in my life.
FS: How do you like doing Louisville college football and college basketball games?
AW: I love it. They have a great program and great coaches. I have learned so much about college basketball from Rick Pitino. He's a brilliant coach but my heart is in the AFL. I work in every other sport, but Arena Football is what I care about the most because I have invested my whole life in this. This is my tenth year, and the Arena Football season is my favorite time of the year.
If you have any questions or comments about this interview, feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 27, 2007
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- The OSC Interview: Soul Radio Announcer Ari Wolfe - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
