The broadcast is about to start, and Ron Turner can't get in the side door. That's one of the hazards of taking your radio show on the road.

The Illinois football coach goes to the front door of the 4-H House and politely rings the bell. He makes it into the dining room at 6:05 p.m., just in time for the start of his weekly show.

For the second year, Turner is spending an hour each Monday night jumping from campus site to site. The sororities and fraternities he visits provide a lively audience.

The idea started with the Lon Kruger men's basketball show. When Turner was hired at Illinois, he agreed to try it. Good move for Turner and his show.

On a rainy Monday night, the 4-H House members fill the dining hall. Regular host Jim Turpin is working a basketball game later in the night, so Dave Loane substitutes.

Illinois sports information director Dave Johnson prompts the audience to applaud before commercial breaks. Media relations intern Michelle Warner brings a player to the show. Student assistant Amy Quesse supports the radio crew.

Kicker Neil Rackers is the guest during the early part of the show. He answers a few questions from callers and takes a few from the audience.

Turner takes over after the first break, about 12 minutes into the show. With a struggling football team, the calls aren't always friendly. But Turner handles the questions well. He doesn't get defensive; he simply tells the caller his plan to fix the Illini.

With 20 minutes left, Turner becomes a game-show host. A segment called Turner Trivia matches two teams of four from the 4-H House.

When the show ends at 7, Turner doesn't hurry out. He takes photos with the house members, answers questions and thanks them for helping.

Coverage plans

For the Illinois football team, there aren't any. As expected, the Illinois-Michigan State game on Nov. 21 won't be televised. Kickoff is set for noon Champaign-Urbana time.

Although the football exposure is done for the season, the men's basketball team is just getting started.

Tuesday's game against George Washington will be seen on WCIA. Chris Widlic is handling the play-by-play, and Mike Cleff serves as analyst.

Short shots

– Kansas City Royals fans already were disenchanted about their team, staying away from the ballpark like never before.

The team has alienated fans again by firing longtime radio voice Fred White.

White, a Homer native, worked with partner Denny Matthews for 25 years, the longest-running radio pairing in the AL.

White returns for a third season of Illinois basketball on ESPN Plus telecasts.

– The first installment of the Kruger radio show is Dec. 7 at the Farm House fraternity. The show airs from 6:05 to 7 p.m.

Like the Turner show, Kruger's radio hour will include a trivia contest and special guests. Current and former Illini will take part in the segments.

– Illinois is wrapping up a deal to stay with Chicago radio station WSCR for the next three to five years.

The Score takes all the Illinois football and men's basketball games. The station also does its own version of the weekly shows with Turner and Kruger.

Bob Asmussen is a News-Gazette staff writer. He writes a weekly column on sports media coverage.