Mike Vukovcan A little over one year ago, I made the decision to start over and re-start an idea that I came up with 2 years ago.
With the newspaper business all but defunct and with no other media outlet to get information out to the public, I felt it was important for residents in our community of Hopewell to have a place to go for sports information.
Not just high school sports and not exclusive to football and basketball but as many sports as we could report on involving boys and girls in youth sports, junior high and high school. Not only did we want to report on the game results but also wanted to let you know about the tremendous accomplishments of our athletes in Hopewell as well you getting to know them in feature stories.
With all of this in mind came the start of Vikings Sports Now, which was launched one year ago today.
Over the last 365 days, VSN has done our best to keep you informed on the happenings in Hopewell sports as well as report on the male and female student athletes.
The thing that I’m proudest of is that we’ve done our best to be visible in the community and at as many events as we can. We don’t just get our stories off Facebook or from coaches and copy and paste information, VSN attends games/matches and actually talk to the coaches and athletes.
Would we like to cover more events? Sure. However, in the past year, considering we don’t have a huge staff, VSN has done a very good spreading out our coverage and reporting on various Hopewell teams and athletes.
I’d like to thank a few people in particular for the help that they’ve given this website over the last year, without you, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish some of the things we’ve done.
Thank you to Lillian Otto, Jessica Gonzalez and Chris Otto. Your help has been invaluable. Lillian joined VSN early on as a student writer and has stuck with us and done a tremendous job covering various sports. Since she’s only a freshman, I’m hoping she’ll stick with us for a few more years! Chris and Jessica, you’ve been a huge asset, thank you!
Would also like to thank some of the coaches at Hopewell that have made my life a lot easier by assisting me with information and details, which allow me to write stories. Also, for your help in getting me in touch with your athletes to interview.
I’m hoping I don’t miss anyone but thank you to Hopewell coaches Matt Mottes, Doug Biega, Jeff Homziak, Jeff Brunton, Terry Borkovic, Kathi Lopez, Stan Magusiak and Morgan Singletary.
Last but not least, to the businesses that have been with Vikings Sports Now as sponsors. The truth is that without the help that VSN has received from the community has allowed us to exist. I can tell you with 100% certainty without this help and generosity, there wouldn’t be a Vikings Sports Now. These businesses have allowed me to employee and pay writers, pay photographers, sponsor teams at the high school, pay for team dinners, assist teams with certain things, pay for broadcasters for HS football games, sponsor events in the school like musicals, tickets for Night at the Races, etc.
This is the No.1 reason why you see me actively looking for sponsors. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT”S NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN as most of the money VSN takes in goes back out for things such as this and not in my bank account.
With that in mind, thank you to the following businesses and business owners for trusting me to become a valuable member of our website.
I’d like to start by recognizing two people in particular, who have been with me for well over a year and before the launch of VSN:
*Mike Shutak, owner of Shulligan’s Bar and Grille. Is one of the most generous people that I’ve ever met. You’re not just a business partner but a friend. Shulligan’s not only serves great food but has events like Trivia Night, Open Mics, Live Bands, etc.
*Lisa McCoy, State Farm Insurance Agent. Lisa has been with me from the start, and you probably notice, she’s generous and giving to MANY teams in Hopewell. In need of home and car insurance, please contact McCoy at (724) 498-0630 or insurewithlisa.net.
*Vocelli’s Pizza of Hopewell. Owner Brian Apolito took over as owner and done a tremendous job with the menu, prices and the service. In less than a year, Apolito has made a huge impact in our community with his generosity to not only VSN but other teams and organizations in our community.
*State Representative Rob Matzie. A close personal friend of mine for years, Rob is doing his best and has done a bunch of noteworthy things for Beaver County. Keep up the good work Matz!
*A&S Federal Credit Union. A huge thanks to Gina Huntington and the great members of A&S Federal Credit Union. We do our banking there and from day one have been impressed with their professionalism and ability to take care of our needs. A&S is located at 2090 Broadhead Road and their phone number is (724) 375-0248. A&S Federal Credit Union has been serving our community since 1940.
*Shanna Funwela/Brock Hanna Real Estate Team. VSN was very excited when Shanna and her Coldwell Banker Reality team decided to join VSN. If you are looking to buy or sell, you need to give Funwela a call (412-506-2984) as they’re one of the top real estate teams in Pennsylvania. That’s not job talk, the results show: When you talk to Shanna and Brock, you become their priority and they get the job done for you. Like with many of our sponsors, Funwela is one of the most generous and active people in our community. Thank you Shanna.
*Frank Walker Law: Frank Walker has been a loyal and long-time business partner with my Sports Now Networks. Frank is a great man and founder of Frank Walker Law in Pittsburgh. Walker is one of the most sought-after criminal defense attorneys in Western Pennsylvania due to his reputation for real talk, real experience and real results. Clients choose attorney Walker for representation because of his ability to get the most for his clients. To get in touch with Frank Walker, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, call 412-212-3878.
*CCR Painting, LLC: As we approach the spring and the summer, it’s time to start thinking about getting the inside of your house painted/touch ups. If you’re considering it, Vikings Sports Now highly recommends CCR Painting, LLC for all your painting needs. They are professional, affordable, prompt and reliable! Pictures on the right are work they’ve done for us. They did an amazing job! No one better than Brandon Davis and his staff. You can contact Brandon at 412-583-4356 or email him at ccrpaintingllc@gmail.com
Scott Aguglia Agency: We were so excited when Scott Aguglia Agency decided to join Vikings Sports Now. Scott Aguglia is your local health care agent. Scott takes pride in serving OUR community. He works closely with Highmark and UPMC- for individuals, families and Independent Business Owners like you in our area. Give him a call for any questions or ask for a free Quote TODAY, 724-987-8500. By the way, you don’t ever want to get into an arm-wrestling contest with this guy, you won’t win! LOL. Thanks Scott!
The Tatalovich Funeral Home and Cremations Services, Inc: Mr. Tatalovich is family owned and operated and has provided our community with dignified and professional services for the past 57 years.
The compassionate and caring staff at Tatalovich Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All the families that we serve are important to Mr. Tatalovich and his staff. They constantly strive to offer a wider variety of options to each and every one of them. It has been the Tatalovich family’s sincere desire during the hours of one’s greatest sorrow to serve them in a manner which would lighten their burden. The Tatalovich family, “serving your family as their own since 1968′.
TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, INC.
2205 McMinn Street
Aliquippa, PA 15001
724-378-7550
3475 Broadhead Road
Monaca, PA 15061
724-317-0433
On a personal note, back in my radio days at WMBA 1460 AM in Ambridge, I remember working with Mr. Tatalovich as he was a very loyal sponsor of our high school football games on the radio. It’s great that 25+ years later, we are once again working together because he’s one of the most respected and trusted names in Beaver County. It was that way back then and it remains that way today.
A’BREWED AWAKENING (COFFEE HOUSE)– Located at 2236 Brodhead Road, owner Barb and her staff are open 7 days a week to serve you. A’Brewed Awakening has more than just great coffee as you can get LATES, MACCHIATOS, ICED COFFEE, CAPPUCCINO, ESPRESSO, FRAPPE’S, TEA, SMOOTHIES. Not only do they have beverages but also have breakfast burritos, muffins, donuts, orams, banana bread, scones, cookies and a lot more. A’Brewed Awakening is a place that I frequently go to in the morning to get out of the house to work at.
