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Local sports radio format stays intact By GREG STILES The Rogue Valley's lone all-sports station, KTMT-AM (580), will stay the course in the months ahead, even with the departure of one its chief decision-makers. General sales manager John Greider left Citadel Communications for a job in Texas earlier this month. It was Greider who pushed to make the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics staples of local spring and summer radio. "We're pretty much going to stay the same," says Citadel's programming manager, Todd Boss. Citadel properties also include KCMX-AM (880). Giants games, except during conflicts with the Portland Trail Blazers, will continue to be heard on KTMT. Oakland Athletics games are heard on KCMX weekends and occasionally after 4 p.m. on weekdays. "We didn't want to preempt any of our regular programs during the day," Boss says. "But when we can join in progress or if games start later, we will." What remains to be seen is how Citadel will handle college football and basketball. University of Oregon football and basketball have long been staples of KCMX. But Oregon State and Southern Oregon have been tossed about Rogue Valley radio frequencies with regularity. Both hope to call KTMT home next fall. With the exception of four Saturdays, however, the SOU and OSU football games overlap, and Boss isn't interested in piling up tape-delays. Southern Oregon has a decided advantage because TableRock Sports, run by Pete Belcastro and Joe Brett, buys airtime then sells advertising. "The main reason we're leaning to Southern Oregon is that it's local," Boss says. "It's better selling because of Ashland advertising." The Beavers are coming off their best football season since 1971 and may finally get that first winning season in nearly three decades under new coach Dennis Erickson. "If Oregon State hadn't brought on Dennis Erickson, straight out, it wouldn't have been close," Boss says. "Ultimately, it comes down to what can they sell." Southern Oregon sports information director Rich Rosenthal says the Raiders were pleased with the exposure they got during the most recent football and basketball seasons. "The renewed interest in OSU may force KTMT's hand," Rosenthal says. "But I'm confident there is enough interest in Southern Oregon and confident that our relationship with (Citadel) will remain and we will be on one of their stations." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.