ROHO In the Know with Alysha Humpert
ROHO In the Know with Coach Ken Purcell
ROHO In the Know with Ruthie Polinsky
Ruthie Polinsky has experienced a meteoric rise in sports broadcasting and journalism. Born in Ann
Arbor, Michigan and raised in Saint Louis, she always had a love for sports but never dreamed of
pursuing it as a career. Ruthie found her destiny while working for the St Louis Cardinals and strangely
enough found herself in Wichita Falls upon graduation from the University of Michigan. She launched
her stellar career at KFDX TV 3 under Tobin McDuff and gained the skills necessary to move to large
markets. In Providence, Rhode Island, she went from covering Rider High School and all of Texoma
sports to covering Super Bowls and World Series with the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox.
Currently, she is now covering professional and collegiate sports in Miami, Florida for NBC 6 as a sports
anchor and reporter. Listen to the Ruthie Polinsky story and learn to what it took to gain stardom and
how females have a place in the world of sports.
Arbor, Michigan and raised in Saint Louis, she always had a love for sports but never dreamed of
pursuing it as a career. Ruthie found her destiny while working for the St Louis Cardinals and strangely
enough found herself in Wichita Falls upon graduation from the University of Michigan. She launched
her stellar career at KFDX TV 3 under Tobin McDuff and gained the skills necessary to move to large
markets. In Providence, Rhode Island, she went from covering Rider High School and all of Texoma
sports to covering Super Bowls and World Series with the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox.
Currently, she is now covering professional and collegiate sports in Miami, Florida for NBC 6 as a sports
anchor and reporter. Listen to the Ruthie Polinsky story and learn to what it took to gain stardom and
how females have a place in the world of sports.
ROHO In the Know with Craig Lile
Craig Lile is a 1980 Graduate of Rider High School where he lettered 2 years on the varsity football team.
It was during his time at Rider that the team endured the 1979 Tornado in which fellow classmates and
teammate Jay Huffer lost their lives. Many on the team had their homes destroyed as well. Then, in the
first scrimmage of the 1979 season, fellow teammate Shane Landry was severely injured on a play that
would leave him paralyzed for life. Through the leadership of strong school administration, coaches,
teachers and parents, the Rider Raiders persevered and left Rider High School much stronger men for
having been football players during this difficult time. Craig then answered the call to full time ministry
soon after graduating from Rider and would serve for 16 years away from Wichita Falls, eventually being
called back to pastor his home church, Faith Baptist Church Wichita Falls the last 12 years. Craig also had
the privilege of having a son, Micaiah, play for Rider on a team in which five other members had fathers
that were Rider teammates of his. Listen to Craig Lile’s story of how mental toughness gained on the
fields of Rider High School would lead to to a life of ministry that has impacted many.
It was during his time at Rider that the team endured the 1979 Tornado in which fellow classmates and
teammate Jay Huffer lost their lives. Many on the team had their homes destroyed as well. Then, in the
first scrimmage of the 1979 season, fellow teammate Shane Landry was severely injured on a play that
would leave him paralyzed for life. Through the leadership of strong school administration, coaches,
teachers and parents, the Rider Raiders persevered and left Rider High School much stronger men for
having been football players during this difficult time. Craig then answered the call to full time ministry
soon after graduating from Rider and would serve for 16 years away from Wichita Falls, eventually being
called back to pastor his home church, Faith Baptist Church Wichita Falls the last 12 years. Craig also had
the privilege of having a son, Micaiah, play for Rider on a team in which five other members had fathers
that were Rider teammates of his. Listen to Craig Lile’s story of how mental toughness gained on the
fields of Rider High School would lead to to a life of ministry that has impacted many.
ROHO In the Know with Dr. George Cunningham
George B. Cunningham (Graduate of Rider High School and Ph.D., The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Health and Kinesiology and Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate and Professional School at Texas A&M University. His research focus is on diversity and inclusion in sport and physical activity. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters; has authored an award-winning book (Diversity in Sport Organizations); and has co-edited an award-winning book (Routledge Handbook of Theory in Sport Management). He is a member of the National Academy of Kinesiology. Here, George talks about the impact both Rider Football and Rider High School has had on his career.
ROHO In the Know with Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson is a 1994 graduate of Rider High School and worked his way up the ranks from the
Jefferson Colts and McNiel Mustangs to start at QB for the Raiders in the 1992-1993 seasons under
Head Coach Wayne LeBleu. The Raiders competed in the Texas UIL’s top classification in a district that
produced the eventual state champion. Michael’s leadership helped the Raiders compete successfully
even though they were often outnumbered and outmanned. He then took his Rider education and
leadership skills to Texas Tech University and eventually to the University of Texas School of Law. Today,
Michael is a partner in the very prestigious firm of Kelly- Hart and is recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer
as well as one of the country’s top attorneys in business litigation. He was won and settled several multi–million dollar cases defending business clients that have been defrauded or falsely accused. Listen to
how Michael has taken lessons learned on the football field and classroom of Rider High School to
become a Texas Super Lawyer.
Jefferson Colts and McNiel Mustangs to start at QB for the Raiders in the 1992-1993 seasons under
Head Coach Wayne LeBleu. The Raiders competed in the Texas UIL’s top classification in a district that
produced the eventual state champion. Michael’s leadership helped the Raiders compete successfully
even though they were often outnumbered and outmanned. He then took his Rider education and
leadership skills to Texas Tech University and eventually to the University of Texas School of Law. Today,
Michael is a partner in the very prestigious firm of Kelly- Hart and is recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer
as well as one of the country’s top attorneys in business litigation. He was won and settled several multi–million dollar cases defending business clients that have been defrauded or falsely accused. Listen to
how Michael has taken lessons learned on the football field and classroom of Rider High School to
become a Texas Super Lawyer.
ROHO In the Know with Mark Ball and Brian Nelson
In the year 2000, the movie “Remember the Titans” was released. This was a true story of a football team that became one as a racially integrated unit. In Wichita Falls, a freshman class entered Rider High School, also a newly racially integrated unit, after the closing of Booker T Washington High School. Mark Ball, the teams quarterback, and Brian Nelson, DB and WR , used a long friendship to lead their teammates under the guidance of Head Coach Morris Mercer to a long awaited victory over WFHS. After a spiritual team meeting that Raider fans know today as “The Happening”, These two athletes were instrumental in advancing the growth of the new phrase: “ROHO”, as Rider High School became unified in their support of their team that changed the football landscape in Wichita Falls for the last 50 years. Not only were Mark and Brian successful as athletes, but also now in life, both raising Division One College Football players. Hear the story of Wichita Falls' own "Remember the Titans" and how ROHO and this special team came to be- #ROHOTOGETHER
ROHO In the Know with Robert E. Criner
As a former Rider Raider and exciting communicator, Robert “E” Criner has been empowering audiences since 1990. What
Robert shares with people is not just theory—it is his own personal experience of growing through and overcoming obstacles and challenges. His life has changed and progressed through the same positive motivational techniques, strategies and principles he shares with people from all walks of life.
Robert “E” Criner. The “E” stands for ENTHUSIASM! Robert’s charismatic delivery enhances the presentation to a dynamic level of enthusiasm, self-awareness and motivation.
Become inspired by listening to this week's edition of ROHO In the Know!
Robert shares with people is not just theory—it is his own personal experience of growing through and overcoming obstacles and challenges. His life has changed and progressed through the same positive motivational techniques, strategies and principles he shares with people from all walks of life.
Robert “E” Criner. The “E” stands for ENTHUSIASM! Robert’s charismatic delivery enhances the presentation to a dynamic level of enthusiasm, self-awareness and motivation.
Become inspired by listening to this week's edition of ROHO In the Know!
ROHO In the Know with Dr. Charles Breithaupt
Dr. Charles Breithaupt was named UIL Executive Director of the University Interscholastic League in February 2009 and was appointed Associate Vice President at the University of Texas at Austin in February 2011. He has served the UIL for the past 29 years. He oversees the academic, music and athletic competition for more than 1,400 high schools, 1,600 middle schools and 2,000 elementary schools in the state of Texas.
