Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Claire Padgett Michael Smith, also known as Mike on the Mic, during his radio sports show on KSSU Sept. 29. [Click to enlarge]

It is a Monday afternoon and radio personality Michael Smith, also known as Mike on the Mic, is rapping into the microphone at the Sacramento State KSSU campus radio station.

"Upsets, upsets read all about," said Smith. "This football weekend wouldn't have been thrilling about it."

Smith is the host for a sports talk show on-campus called Raw Sports Talk with Mike on the Mic. The show airs every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. on the KSSU radio website. Smith starts off each show with a 30 second rap that sums up the topics that will be discussed in the show.

"It's something cool to listen to because it's different and new every week," said Sac State student Tony Proschaska, a listener of the show. Proschaska said that most talk shows don't have raps, and that's why he finds Smith's show entertaining.

"It's my favorite part of the show because I have the most fun," said Smith. "Just a little creativity to make stuff happen." Smith says by doing something different he hopes to bring in more listeners.

After the rap, Smith will start the show with a discussion and update on the most recent events in Hornet sports. Halfway into the show, Smith will switch over and cover professional sports.

During the show Smith says he exaggerates words and changes the pitch of his voice in order to emphasize an important play or action. Smith even gives some of the Hornet athletes nicknames.

"You know what? I got a nickname for this guy. From now on I'm gonna call him Brian the Bruiser," said Smith during his broadcast, referring to Hornet running back Brian Hilliard.

Brian Bautista, a Sac State student and listener of the show, said Smith's enthusiasm and style is what makes the show great.

"He shows a level of enthusiasm you just don't hear in most shows," said Bautista. "I mean this guy is literally excited about everything." Bautista said even though he is not an avid sports fan, Smith has been able to make the show interesting.

Even though professional sports are a part of the show, Smith said he puts a greater emphasis on Hornet sports.

"I wouldn't be doing much of a service to the school if I only covered pro sports," said Smith. "That's why (it has) always been my goal to get all Hornet sports on the air."

Liana Winternitz, assistant station manager for KSSU, said Smith has always fought to put underrepresented sports on his show.

Bautista said that bringing unknown sports into the show is also what draws him into the show.

"Most shows you only hear about the bigger sports," said Bautista. "I like how he goes out his way just to cover the smaller sports."

The first show of Raw Sports Talk with Mike on the Mic was aired on Sept. 22. It was a remake of the original show Smith did years ago: Raw Sports Talk with the Raw Dog Diggler.

Smith claims that he dropped his original show due to an overload of units and work. He said that two years later he was named sports director for KSSU and that his manager Rob Young suggested that he bring the show back.

"We like to have our sports directors have talk shows," said Rob Young, KSSU station manager. "It supplements the games they broadcast."

Smith said he brought back the show and renamed it Raw Sports Talk with Mike on the Mic.

"I kept (it) raw because it means fresh and uncut," said Smith. "But I liked Mike on the Mic better. It was catchier."

Smith encourages listeners to tune in and call during his show. "I will talk to any student about anything sports related," said Mike. "As long as they promise to keep it clean, it's all good."

Zaki Syed can be reached at zsyed@statehornet.com

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