Playmakers with Dave Calabro

IBJ Media's Playmakers With Dave Calabro features behind-the-scenes conversations with athletes, coaches, executives and leaders connected to Indiana sports. Host Dave Calabro spent 32 years in local TV sports and continues as a track announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each episode digs into the turning points, pressure and decisions behind the wins, plus what these playmakers do beyond the spotlight. New episodes publish twice a month. Presented by Indiana Members Credit Union.

Playmakers with Dave Calabro is a sports podcast hosted by Dave Calabro, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dave Calabro hosts Playmakers with Dave Calabro, a sports show with 15 episodes published.

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  Playmakers with Dave Calabro

  Matt Taylor, the voice of the Indianapolis Colts, on the 2026 Colts: Playoff Urgency, Daniel Jones and Chris Ballard

  Aug 7, 202640 min

  Indianapolis Colts training camp arrives with playoff pressure, Daniel Jones returning from an Achilles injury and a roster facing urgent questions on both sides of the ball. Matt Taylor, the voice of the Indianapolis Colts, gives Dave Calabro his assessment of the 2026 team after an 8-2 start ended in seven straight losses and another missed postseason. Taylor explains why the organization believes the early-season offense can return, what Jones showed during spring work, how Anthony Richardson Sr. has handled his trade request, and where the receiving corps must replace Michael Pittman Jr. The conversation also focuses on a defense entering camp with new leaders and uncertainty along the defensive line. Taylor discusses the pressure on Chris Ballard, the need to finish one-score games, and whether Sauce Gardner and the secondary can buy time for a young pass rush. Before the season preview, Taylor traces his path from answering phones for high school score reports to becoming the Colts' radio play-by-play voice. He recalls taking over on short notice for his first NFL broadcast, learning from Indiana broadcasting legends, and managing the preparation required for Sundays while raising a young family. He also explains how team-employed media can remain objective by grounding criticism in reporting and facts. Playmakers with Dave Calabro is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union - https://www.imcu.com/

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  Playmakers with Dave Calabro

  "Let 'Em Hear Ya": Joey Mulinaro on Sports Impressions and an Indie Comedy Career

  Jul 17, 202643 min

  Joey Mulinaro turned sports impressions into a national comedy career, beginning with an Andrew Luck voice that made him recognizable around Indianapolis Colts practices. The Indianapolis comedian and creator tells Dave Calabro how a childhood love of making family members laugh led from Roncalli High School to Ball State University, then home to the University of Indianapolis. A television writing class redirected him from play-by-play broadcasting toward characters, sketches and comedy, followed by an internship at The BOB & TOM Show and long shifts in local radio while he searched for a break. Mulinaro explains how teaming with Benedict Polizzi produced early online sketches, why Andrew Luck's retirement forced him to find a new signature impression, and how a Thanksgiving video featuring Nick Saban reached a national audience. He also demonstrates the voices of Saban, Coach O and Patrick Mahomes while explaining his three-part creative formula: a topical subject, a distinctive voice or mannerism, and a clear comedic hook. The conversation covers the business behind digital comedy, including brand partnerships, contract approvals and the uneven rhythm of creator income. Mulinaro also discusses the challenge of stand-up comedy, his need to prove he can hold a live audience, the THESE GUYS! podcast, and the new material he finds in raising two children. Playmakers with Dave Calabro is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union.

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  Playmakers with Dave Calabro

  Pat Boylan on Caitlin Clark, the Fever's Title Odds, and the Pacers

  Jul 3, 202647 min

  Pat Boylan, the play-by-play voice of the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, makes the case for why this Fever team can win a WNBA championship and breaks down what makes Caitlin Clark unlike any athlete he has covered in 12 seasons. Boylan details Clark's on-court competitiveness and self-awareness, compares her media presence to Peyton Manning, and explains why Stephanie White's coaching history gives him confidence in the Fever's second-half potential. He also addresses the Alyssa Thomas incident from the Phoenix Mercury game, the dynamic between Clark and White, and which Fever player has surprised him most this season. On the Pacers, Boylan discusses Tyrese Haliburton's road back from an Achilles injury, the Ivica Zubac acquisition, and what Braden Smith can learn from Haliburton and T.J. McConnell. He also shares the story of the wildest day of his career: waking up in sweatpants at a Saturday morning radio show, then calling a Pacers game at Madison Square Garden that same night after Chris Denari was hospitalized. Boylan grew up in Carmel, Indiana, listening to Mark Boyle and Chris Denari on the radio, interned at local TV stations, attended Ball State University, and paid his dues doing play-by-play in Bismarck, North Dakota before landing with Pacers Sports and Entertainment at age 24. Playmakers is hosted by Dave Calabro and brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - www.imcu.com

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  Playmakers with Dave Calabro

  Amp Harris on Indiana Black Expo, Michael Jordan and Resilience

  Jun 19, 202650 min

  Amp Harris has spent decades at the intersection of Indianapolis community life and celebrity culture, and his story is far more complex than his famous connections suggest. The promoter, DJ, radio host and founder of the Amp Harris Foundation traces a path from witnessing family tragedy at age 13 to giving toys and resources to more than 18,000 children through his annual holiday drive. Harris discusses his role behind the scenes at the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, scheduled for July 16 through 19 at IU Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis. This year's outdoor concert lineup includes Indiana native October London, Southern Soul artist King George, and funk group Midnight Star, marking the group's 50th anniversary. Additional programming includes a health fair with more than $4,000 in free screenings, a youth basketball showcase, an education conference featuring Hill Harper, and a corporate luncheon with Oscar-winning actor Delroy Lindo. Tickets and information are available at summercelebration.net. Harris also reflects on growing up in Indianapolis, being bused to Decatur Central High School in the mid-1980s, his early activism alongside mentor attorney Inyufu Bert Elmore, and the faith his mother modeled through unimaginable loss. He shares a candid account of Michael Jordan's relentless competitiveness at a pool table and card game decades ago, and explains why mutual respect, not proximity to fame, has defined his relationships with athletes including Reggie Miller, Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - https://www.imcu.com/business

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  Playmakers with Dave Calabro

  Colts Great Gary Brackett on the Super Bowl, Loss, and Life After the NFL

  Jun 5, 202623 minS0

  <p>Gary Brackett walked onto the Rutgers football team, went undrafted, and became a Super Bowl champion and captain of the Indianapolis Colts. His path there cost him more than most people know.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Brackett lost his mother, father, and brother within 17 months while fighting to establish himself in the NFL. In this conversation with host Dave Calabro, he talks about how grief nearly led him to quit football, what kept him going, and what he took away from the Colts' Super Bowl XLI victory over the Chicago Bears, including Devin Hester's opening kickoff return and...

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