Winging it: ODU coach plays to larger audience

CHESAPEAKE

Welcome to Buffalo Wild Wings, where chicken is on the menu and Bobby Wilder is on the stage.

Old Dominion's football coach has taken his radio show on the road this fall, performing with Ted Alexander in front of healthy crowds every Thursday night. And perform he does.

Like a trained seal at Sea World, Wilder burst through the doors at 6:55 last Thursday, clapping and smiling as 50 or so ODU fans dressed in blue cheered. High fives and fist pumps followed as he made his way to his table.

When Wilder sat down and adjusted his headset, the 37 televisions encircling the place showing sporting events of every nature had competition for the diners' attention.

Immediately, Wilder delivered.

"We had our first plane trip last week, and we started a new tradition," Wilder said. "As we took off, I turned around and all 60 players had their hands in the air as if they were going over the big hill on a roller coaster.

"Talk about a team enjoying the ride."

No need for laugh track. Everybody was chuckling. Before things could settle down, Wilder was urging audience members to take the Buffalo Wild Wings blazing hot challenge, with the winner earning tickets to ODU's next game.

Ryan Wilkins - ironically a recent graduate of James Madison - eventually stepped up, ready to set his mouth afire. The rules were simple: Eat a dozen of the hottest wings on the menu in six minutes, with no water or napkins to aid. Normally, it's a challenge to see which of two contestants can stomach it. But other than Wilkins, there were no takers among the fans.

Waiter Vince Diorides jumped in and ate a dozen with Wilkins to help him keep pace. Wilkins finished with a minute to spare but also with tears welling in his eyes.

"My Dukes have to play these guys in two years," the 23-year-old said of his rationale for being at the event. "I need to see what the competition is going to be like."

With CBS Sports Properties taking over promotional details for ODU this year, everything is about image and what the Monarchs can squeeze out of their product financially. Instead of "The Bobby Wilder Coach's Show" of 2008, it's now the "Coors Light Bobby Wilder Coach's Show," heard on 94.1 FM from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

And instead of a static studio setting, Wilder is wheeling around South Hampton Roads this fall, hitting all of the Buffalo Wild Wings locations.

Last Thursday's show originated from Edinburgh Commons in southern Chesapeake. Tonight's and next week's will also be there. Wilder has already been to the Greenbrier location. And for later shows, he will travel to the Landstown and the Red Mill neighborhoods in Virginia Beach.

The pace of the day is a challenge for Wilder. Each Thursday, he walks off the practice field at ODU shortly after 6 p.m., quickly changes out of his practice gear and into a golf shirt and slacks. Time is of the essence.

The restaurants have signs out front reserving a parking spot for the coach, but two weeks ago at the Greenbrier location, someone took that spot and Wilder was left to park about 200 yards away. He had to run to the building to make show time.

Alexander knows Wilder's in hustle mode.

"By the time we get to the first commercial break, Bobby's wings are always gone," Alexander said. "I don't finish mine until after the show."

Alexander, who had been working with ODU's men's basketball team for two years and hosting coach Blaine Taylor's show, signed on to be the radio voice for football as well over the summer and replaced Tony Mercurio as the host of the Thursday night radio show.

Wilder and Alexander have clicked from the start.

"It's a situation where we share an attitude," Wilder said. "We are both glass half-full guys. He knows the team and does his homework."

Alexander puts in the necessary preparation time that adds bells and whistles to the show. Last week following ODU's dramatic 91-yard drive to beat Jacksonville in the closing minutes, he spliced his radio call of the drive into a highlight that began the show's second segment.

He followed with a question about the health of the Monarchs after half a dozen Monarchs required IV fluids during or after the game because of the heat.

Wilder grinned as he said, "It certainly makes it easier to recover when you win."

Tonight, Wilder will sit in front of the microphone for the first time following a loss. His Monarchs (3-1) fell to Monmouth 31-28. It promises to be a different atmosphere, but Alexander is confident the hour will fill itself.

"Working with Bobby is like working with a great finisher in basketball," Alexander said. "I just keep throwing him alley-oop passes, and he slams it home."