sports ww thru CI ER 31 AIR 2013 Matt At The Mic Steve Stein Contributing Writer T iming is everything, and the time was right for Matt Dery to make a move. After nearly two decades of doing play-by-play and hosting pregame, halftime and postgame shows on TV and radio and providing news updates and producing shows on sports talk radio stations, the Detroit sports broadcasting veteran has his own daily radio show. It's called "The Discussion with Matt Dery," and it airs from noon-3 p.m. weekdays on WMGC-FM (Detroit Sports 105.1), Detroit's newest sports talk station, an ESPN Radio affiliate. Dery, 40, left CBS Radio Detroit- owned WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) in July after his contract expired. He was the producer of "Valenti and Foster:' the station's drive-time show, for four years. Detroit Sports 105.1, owned by Greater Media Detroit, went on the air Aug. 12, and Dery's first show on the 50,000-watt station was Sept. 16. "I loved working at The Ticket. It was a great four years, and I have great friends there. But it was time to move on, to go somewhere where I was more valued," Dery said. "There's no reason why we can't have two FM sports talk stations in Detroit. Many cities do:' He said he's more comfortable with Detroit Sports 105.1's format of frequent interviews with newsmak- ers than The Ticket's caller-driven format. When it comes to callers, Dery said, there's a reason why his show is called "The Discussion:' "I have opinions, of course, but I'm not going to lecture callers like a fifth-grade math teacher," he said. Dery said the biggest problem with sports talk radio — not necessarily in Detroit — is a lack of accountability by hosts. "There's an open mic and people just spew things out:' he said. "I feel I have the necessary credentials. I've covered all four Detroit professional teams. I've traveled with teams when I've done play-by-play. I know the players and coaches:' Even though he's been on the air with his own show for only about a month, Dery said he's seen on several levels that he made the right career move. "Greater Media is a good company to work for. It's nice to see people happy at work:' he said. Dery said his work schedule is bet- ter now for his family life. He does prep work for his show at home in the morning, arrives at the Ferndale studio at about 10:30 a.m. and is back home in Shelby Township by about 4 p.m. He and his wife, Heather, have been married for two years. He has two children and a stepchild. "Being a father and husband is No. 1 on my priority list:' Dery said. "My family motivates me:' The Cleveland native said he's a huge baseball fan, especially an Indians fan. As for his broadcasting favorites, he likes Howard Stern ("he's entertaining and conversational") and ESPN's Scott VanPelt ("he's cool and hip — he gets it"). Dery is a Syracuse University grad. His agent is Mort Meisner of Huntington Woods. Maccabi Meetings Here's a quick reminder about kickoff meetings for the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest that will be held in Detroit. Meetings will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park. Teens will meet coaches and sign up for sports and arts. Parents will receive information about the local delegation and volunteer opportunities. More than 2,000 participants, along with their coaches and families, are expected to come to Detroit next August. ruby's balm 20% •FF any 2 items excluding Laura Mercier, Nars, Smashb ax, Kiehl's, Clarisonic & Darphin rear ends 20% 0 F any ONE item marguerite 20% OFF any one item. Some restrictions apply steven franklin optics 20% OFF in stock frames w/purchase of rx lenses closet nv 20% OFF select designer fashions, shoes & accessories. Some hand bags excluded frames unlimited 20% OFF complete framing order sundance shoes 10% - 20% OFF STOREWIDE: ALL shoes, boots & accessories in stock only. NO LIMIT! hersh's 20% OFF one item. $100 maximum discount. THE B WALK orchard lake roaciLso aple I west bloomfield Have your Bar Mitzvah in a space that lives up to the day. A Bar Mitzvah is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Make it one to remember at MotorCity Casino Hotel. Whether it's a small gathering or a party for the ages, we have the room and people to make your event something special. From the VIP experience of Amnesia to our Grand Ballroom, everything you need for the party of a lifetime is located just minutes away at MotorCity Casino Hotel. 866-STAY-MCC MotorCityCasino.com CAS/,Y0 HOTEL A MILLION MILES AWAY, RIGHT DOWN THE STREET. ❑ Please send sports news to sports@thejewishnews.com . ,=„ N If you bet more than you can afford to lose, you've got a problem. Call 1-800-270-7117 for free, confidential help. MotorCity Casino Hotel and MotorCity Casino Hotel design are trademarks of Detroit Entertainment, L.L.C. ©2013 Detroit Entertainment, L.L.C. All rights reserved. 1834390 October 17 • 2013 49