Sean Fitzgerald

Sean Fitzgerald is a senior journalism major at Kent State University working as a 2020 summer news intern. Sean has been with Black Squirrel Radio, Kent State's student-run radio station since the spring of 2018 as a sports show host and co-host, a web article contributor and sports department coordinator. Sean hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism once he finishes school. 

The View From Pluto: The Browns Remain a Hot Ticket, Even During a Pandemic

By & • Sep 16, 2020

The Cleveland Browns will try to re-group on their home field Thursday, as they host the Bengals less than a week after an embarrassing season-opening loss in Baltimore. And they'll have 6,000 fans in the stands cheering for a win. WKSU’s sports commentator Terry Pluto said the team has some work to do. 

The View From Pluto: A New Staff and No Preseason Spell a Likely Slow Start for the Browns

By & • Sep 9, 2020

The Cleveland Browns begin the NFL season Sunday. The team has had little time to get adjusted under new coach Kevin Stefanski because of the pandemic. WKSU’s sports commentator Terry Pluto said the Browns face a tough opening game against the defending AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens on the road.

Two teams, two different levels of consistency

MLB During COVID-19: A Report From the Cleveland Indians Press Box

By • Sep 4, 2020

Major League Baseball decided that no fans would be allowed to spectate at games this season, and only the teams' staff and the media would be let in. I ended up being one of the lucky few to be inside the Cleveland Indians press box so far during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The View From Pluto: The Mike Clevinger Trade is About Balancing the Present With the Future

By & • Sep 2, 2020

The Cleveland Indians are in the hunt for the playoffs during this pandemic-shortened season.

The team made waves earlier this week when it shipped ace pitcher Mike Clevinger to the San Diego Padres in return for a handful of younger players and promising prospects. 

WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto said the trade may not be splashy, but it makes sense for the Indians. 

The View From Pluto: The Indians Navigate a 'Bizarre' First Half of the Season

By & • Aug 26, 2020

The Cleveland Indians are halfway through the most unusual season in history. After 30 games, WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto said the Tribe is in contention, but what’s been happening off the field has gotten the most attention during this pandemic-shortened 60-game season. 

University of Akron Professor Leads Effort to Assess Diversity on Campus

By • Aug 19, 2020

A long-time professor at the University of Akron is leading an effort to assess the campus for its diversity and inclusivity. 
 
English professor Sheldon Wrice is co-chairing a 22-member working group.

The View From Pluto: Remembering the Indians' Ray Chapman 100 Years After 'The Pitch That Killed'

By & • Aug 19, 2020

It was 100 years ago this week that a tragic moment in baseball history centered on Cleveland. Tribe shortstop Ray Chapman was struck and killed by a pitch. He’s the only player in major league history to die while playing the sport.

WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto says Chapman's legacy carries on in Cleveland to this day. 

University of Akron Board of Trustees Approves Budget

By & • Aug 13, 2020

The University of Akron’s Board of Trustees passed a budget Wednesday that includes 178 layoffs; 96 of the layoffs are union faculty.

The View From Pluto: Postponing MAC Football Is a Chance to Fix a 'Broken System'

By & • Aug 12, 2020

Kent State, Akron and the rest of the Mid-American Conference won’t be playing sports this fall. The MAC became the first major conference to postpone the season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Big Ten conference officially scrapped its season on Tuesday. 

WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto says the decision is an opportunity for the MAC to take a step back and address schools' huge football program deficits. 

No MAC or Big Ten Football This Fall

By • Aug 10, 2020

For months, college football adminstrators and universities expressed cautious optimism on their ability to play safely in the coranaviris pandemic.

However, two conferences have decided that they won't be playing this fall. On Saturday, the Mid American Conference announced it would postpone the fall sports season until spring 2021. This followed earlier news of FBS independent UConn canceling its football season last week.

Senator Rob Portman Disappointed with Lack of Progress on Stimulus Bill

By & • Aug 5, 2020

An Ohio Senator says the chamber’s failure to pass a new stimulus bill to help Americans adversely impacted by the coronavirus is disappointing. Senator Rob Portman says Democrats and Republicans want similar things in the bill. 
“Everybody seems to be for the $1,200 rebate checks, the PPE expansion people are for that is for small businesses.”
 
Portman says tax credits to help people and businesses are also receiving widespread support as are more resources for healthcare workers and increased testing.

The View From Pluto: Browns Face Uphill Challenge with New Staff and No Preseason

By & • Aug 5, 2020

The NFL season starts September 10 when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans.


But because of the pandemic, there are new safety protocols, limited practices and no pre-season games this year.


WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto says this season could be a rough one for teams led by new coaching staffs like the Cleveland Browns.


The View From Pluto: Sports-Starved Fans Tuning in for Big MLB Ratings

By & • Jul 29, 2020

Major League Baseball’s pandemic-shortened season is just getting started, but if television ratings are any indication, sports-starved fans are hungry for major league sports.

According to WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto, without fans in the stands at Progressive Field, TV viewership is key this year for the Cleveland Indians.

University of Akron and Its Faculty Face Off Over Contract Negotiations

By & • Jul 27, 2020

The University of Akron is facing an August 3 deadline for contract negotiations with the professor’s union. 
 
If the vote fails, the deal goes to arbitration for a final ruling. 
 
The two sides are at odds after more than 170 staff were laid off, including nearly 100 union workers. 
 
We spoke with the head of both sides: university president Gary Miller and union president Pam Schulze. 

A Conversation with Cleveland Browns New Chief of Staff Callie Brownson

By • Jul 24, 2020

This season, the Browns have joined an elite group of five NFL teams. These teams are among a few in the league that now have women in key positions on the coaching staff. 

For the Browns, it's Callie Brownson, hired by new head coach Kevin Stefanski to be the chief of staff. 

The 30-year old Brownson grew up in Virginia and blazed a trail to her current position.

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