Charlie Voelker is the co-host of The Drive every weekday afternoon from 3 pm to 7pm. Charlie has been a part of the Capital Region Sports scene for over the last 25 years. In 1996 he joined Big Board Sports host and NewsChannel 13 sports director, Rodger Wyland in the UAlbany broadcast booth for football and basketball. Charlie spent 6 years in minor league baseball, then spent the next 17 years as the Associate Athletic Director for the University at Albany before retiring from that position in 2020. Charlie and his wife Kim live in Albany County with his son Andrew.
Charlie Voelker
Radioactive Water Dump Into Hudson River Planned For Late Summer
The company that owns Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, located along the Hudson River in Buchanan, New York, announced on Thursday that they have delayed a planned water release for the now-shutdown energy producing plant.
Gov. Hochul Losses Appear To Pile As NYS Budget Deal Gets Closer
After being elected in November, navigating her own Democratic party has not been easy for Governor Kathy Hochul. After suffering an embarrassing loss, when the Senate rejected Justice Hector LaSalle as New York's chief judge, the governor was forced to pivot to a more liberal Justice Rowan D. Wilson, for a quick win.
Speechless! Gov. Hochul Blows $2M For Help With State Address
The New York State budget is 18 days late. Even though April 1st is the same date each year, the budget deadline seemed to sneak up on our state legislators in 2023.
Could New MLB Rules Lead To 8th Inning Beers For Yankees & Mets?
The new pitch clock in Major League Baseball has shaved more than 31 minutes from game times so far in 2023. The faster pace has led to an expedited end to beer sales in the stadium...the dreaded 7th inning. However, MLB teams are quickly making adjustments.
It’s MLB Opening Day! Here’s A Quick Guide To New Rules
Finally! The Major League Baseball owners realized that their product was grinding to a dull-stop. Teams were losing their younger fanbases exponentially, year-by-year. In spring training, this year's rule changes have definitively increased the pace of play. Does everyone like them? No, but I like most of them and you probably will too!
Mets Target New York’s 600,000 College Students With $15 Tix
Just after announcing their exclusive new "speakeasy" in right-field, the New York Mets told reporters that they are working on a new ticket plan exclusively for New York's 600,000 residents that are attending college.
Will Rick Pitino Put St. John’s Back On Top In The Big Apple?
Rick Pitino's basketball resume is hard to compare to any other coach in the nation; head coach of numerous successful collegiate programs, as well as two NBA teams. Pitino has developed some of the best basketball players in the world. However, as the song goes, "all that shines, is not gold."
Athletes At College In Upstate New York Accuse Coach Of Bullying
A women's lacrosse coach has been accused of consistent abusive behavior by a number of her former student-athletes in a letter sent to the president of the university.
Mets’ Prospect A Court No Show, Syracuse Judge Threatens Warrant
A New York Mets prospect angered a Syracuse judge last week by not showing up for a scheduled court appearance. The player's lawyer tried to explain the circumstances behind the player's absence but the judge didn't agree.
Catholics Will Be Flocking To Syracuse This St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick's Day is the celebration of Christianity's arrival in Ireland, through the teachings of their patron saint. March 17th marks the anniversary of the death of the Saint Patrick, who also drove the snakes out of Ireland. The early spring celebration is usually filled with plenty of shamrocks, bagpiped parades, green beer and a healthy portion of corned beef and cabbage. This year, if you are a Catholic, your corned beef is in jeopardy.
Get Inside New York’s Big Duck
Why is there a giant cement re-enforced duck located on the east end of Long Island? Well, for one reason, less than 60 years ago the southeast extension of New York State was one of the top Peking Duck producers in the world.
What Happens To Closing College Campus In Upstate New York?
When a college shutters its doors, the impact is felt well beyond the students, faculty, staff and alumni. Small surrounding towns and villages are often devastated, as the life blood of their local economy shuts its doors. Throughout the United States small liberal arts colleges are struggling to stay alive. One upstate New York village is trying to get ahead of a potential problem from their college closing.