Michigan In Play! Magazine
Jack Rosenberg - President
Jack enjoys many outdoor activities but most of all he enjoys bow and rifle hunting, a serious game of eight ball and golfing as much as possible.
His real passion though is hockey; Jack is the action photographer for all MIP Red Wings coverage.
Jack hand assembled his "coaching staff" from people who are experts in each field they head up,
"It was very important for me to know that MIP writers, photographers and editors were all first round draft picks. Great writing and great pictures are the backbone of the magazine" says Rosenberg.
"I hope you enjoy Michigan In Play! magazine as much as I do!
If you see me at Cobo Joe's, drop over and say hi, I may even buy ya a soda after the game!" (Slapshot).
jack@michiganinplay.com
Deborah Jones - Editor in Chief
Deborah has worked in the publishing industry for over 17 years and has experience in every department of the magazine business from Office Manager to Freelance Writer to an Accounting Clerk and Editor, before being quickly promoted to Publisher at the young age of 26. She then made the jump to becoming her own boss and started up Biz X magazine 10 years ago. Deborah recently expanded the distribution of Biz X (www.bizxmagazine.com) to over 260 locations in Michigan and now runs the only international border city publication in the area. She now takes her knowledge and experience and heads up the editorial team at Michigan In Play! Working for a magazine, is more than a job for Deborah - - it is a way of life and along with President Jack Rosenberg, she looks forward to helping make MIP the leading sports and leisure publication in Michigan.
deborah@michiganinplay.com
Denny McLain - Freelance Writer
Detroit baseball icon Denny McLain's 1968 season was a remarkable one, he went 31-6, was an three time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award twice, won the AL Most Valuable Player Award, and was on the World Series-winning Detroit Tigers. His 31 wins that year made him the first pitcher to win 30 games in a season since Dizzy Dean.
After the Tigers had clinched the '68 AL pennant, McLain exhibited a rare display of magnanimity in a game against the New York Yankees; in cruising to his 31st victory, with the Tigers leading 6-1, McLain intentionally gave up a 'fat' pitch to Mickey Mantle, allowing the soon-to-retire Mantle to hit his 535th homer and pass Jimmie Foxx on the all-time home run list.
Today between touring the country doing promotional appearances and signings for his latest book "I Told You I Wasn't Perfect" Denny gives MIP readers his unique take on sports (not just baseball) in Detroit.
Occasionally we may be treated to some insider stories; such as the Mickey Mantle story or 68 World Series stories; what a treat...only here at Michigan In Play!
For more on Denny or to order his latest book "I Told You I Wasn't Perfect" visit www.dennymclain.us.
Bob Probert - Freelance Writer
From his rough and tumble NHL career and color commentary for the Chicago Black Hawks Bob has graciously joined Michigan In Play! to let you in on what it is like to compete at every level of hockey from Mites all the way to an NHL All-star!
The hockey legend currently teaches kids of all ages at his hockey school in Windsor, Ontario and plans to open a similar school in the Michigan area this fall.
Probert is widely regarded as the toughest hockey player to ever lace em up!
In 20 years when people talk about the best skilled enforcers of all time Bobs name will most definitely be at the top of that list!
In Bobs home there is beautiful picture of Probert sandwiching another player into the boards, skates in the air!
The autograph reads "To Bobby, have a great career, all the best, 99 Wayne Gretzky".
24@michiganinplay.com
Sean Baligian - Freelance Writer
Sean has been working in the Detroit Media for 9 years, and is proud to have been born and raised in the area. Sean has a passion for hockey, and fully realizes that there is nothing wrong with the game, but rather the people that try to run the NHL. Sports has been his passion in general his entire 36 years. Sean is married and has two wonderful children, Jack and Lauren. Along with his responsibilities at Sports Radio 1130 WDFN, Sean also writes fantasy sports columns for the Detroit News, and occasionally appears on Fox 2 in Detroit, though he is still trying to figure out why somebody would put his mug on television. In his spare time, Sean enjoys spending his limited time with his family, and hunting in the fall to take out his anguish over what has become of the Detroit Lions.
icetimewdfn@hotmail.com.
Greg Eno - Freelance Writer
Following his wife’s simple but sage advice to "write about what you know", Greg Eno began doing just that in late 2003, and before long he was quickly churning out weekly sports columns for family and friends. This followed a 12-year career in television production. Eventually Greg became a fervent blogger, and then a staff writer for another local Detroit magazine and then rising to editor-in-chief in January, 2006. Greg now brings his talented and creative writing to Michigan’s most popular sport’s and leisure publication; Michigan In Play! magazine. Greg has been following and or covering Detroit sports since 1970 and considers himself a "walking encyclopedia" and amateur historian.
Greg has been married since 1992 to his wife Sharon, and has a 14-year-old daughter, Nicole.
In between issues of M.I.P. you can keep up to date on what’s going on in Detroit sports by checking out Greg’s weekly blog at www.gregeno.blogspot.com.
eno@michiganinplay.com.
Michael Niziolek - Freelance Writer
Originally hailing from the Windy City, Mike relocated to the Detroit area almost two years ago, after graduating from Michigan State University. Mike continues to enjoy covering the tremendously successful run Michigan sports teams are having on Midwest Sports Clash, a show he co-hosts and co-produces. Mid West Sports Clash is a local sports television show that airs weekly in most of Oakland County focusing on nothing east of Penn State, south of Cincinnati, or west of Kansas City. On the show he debates the headlines, hot topics and interviews great guests from around the Midwest.
Joe Rebmann - Marketing Specialist
Joe serves as a marketing associate for Michigan In Play! When he is not busy working hard and playing hard to make Michigan In Play! the best sports and leisure publication in Michigan, he enjoys all Michigan has to offer including sporting activities, golf, boating, fishing, & hunting. He loves taking Jake his 11 year old Golden Retriever to the park whenever possible. Joe retreats to his property located in upper Michigan where he enjoys forest management and working the land to improve the quality for the wildlife. Before joining In Play!, Joe worked in the automotive industry for 25 years. After high school he joined his grandfather who owned a tool & die shop in southeastern Michigan for over a half century.
joe@michiganinplay.com
Brian St. Pierre - Photographer
Brian is a very passionate and dedicated sports fan. His strongest passions have always been hockey and basketball. He feels the opportunity to photograph professional athletes, who he admires and respects, is a great privilege and honor. Thus, the opportunity to photograph Pistons coverage for MIP was something he is thrilled to do. "I'm just living the dream right now, to be able to attend games and be up close and personal with the players is something very few people get a chance to do in their lifetime. I couldn't think of a better way to see the action than being right there in the thick of it."
Andy Kopcok - Freelance Writer
Andy, a University of Windsor business graduate has accumulated a
wealth of knowledge about the extreme sports industry since he began
playing paintball in 1989. He has evolved with the sport and has
helped pioneer it into the emerging billion dollar industry it is
today. Andy is an athlete/coach for a Texas based professional
paintball team that travels and competes internationally. He also
teaches new players and consults businesses getting into the paintball
industry. Look closely and you might see him dodging bullets on some
of the new TV programs coming out in 2007. Check out his fan website
at www.ak4seven.com for more information on the Tony Hawk of
paintball. Email: info@fasttrakpaintball.com
Russ Branham - Freelance Writer
Russ is a licensed charter captain and the owner and operator of Hooked Up Sport fishing. With over 25 years of fishing experience on the Great Lakes, he has fished just about everything Michigan has to offer. He was co-owner of a saltwater outfitting company, which sends anglers to Cabo San Lucas to experience some of the world's best marlin fishing around. "I will share with you where you want to be through the summer months to take advantage of the state's most exciting fishing."
Dave Halliday - Freelance Writer
Dave Halliday has been actively involved in the sports scene in the Windsor area for his entire life. He is connected and in-tune with virtually all aspects of the local sports market. Whether it's a pick up league, competitive amateur, or professional, Dave has the scoop for you. His involvement in the Windsor, Essex county sports community is as vast as the possibilities that this thriving sports market can offer. Dave will give you the low down on the best places for the weekend warrior to grab a beer and a bite after the big game. Let Dave be your guide to all that Windsor and Essex County has to offer when you're "Going to Canada eh?"
dave@michiganinplay.com
David Anton - Photo-Journalist
David heads up the motorsport extension of Michigan In Play! with David's experience he understands the principals and dynamics associated with balancing the threshold of control during a race.
David earned an Engineering Degree in Aerodynamics and along with his racing experience in open wheel and closed wheel race cars from an early age thus developed the vision to capture the moment of utter success or complete disaster that is around every turn on the course.
From F1 in Brazil to turning left at MIS, the quarter mile in under 4.0 seconds or 1000 km in Baja; Anton's images will take you there.
These days he provides speed shots for Michigan in Play, highlighting motorsport events around the state and throughout North America.
Look out for David when he's snapping speed shots at track near you!
david@michiganinplay.com
Jerry King - Freelance Cartoonist
Cartoonist Jerry King creator of "Motor City Mike" didn't start out wanting to be a professional cartoonist, his dream was to be a professional boxer. Trained by famed trainer John Russell, who would also train
World Heavy Weight Champion Buster Douglas, Jerry would win the golden gloves and represent his post boxing team in the Army. However, after starting so young, Jerry got burned out and focused on cartooning. He now draws cartoons regularly for Playboy Magazine, American Greetings and now Michigan In Play! magazine. Jerry is one of the most published freelance cartoonists in America. Jerry's true interest is drawing sports cartoons! Be sure to check out Motor City Mike and see what misadventures he finds himself in every month.
Steve St. Pierre - Freelance Writer
Steve comes to MIP with 5 years of experience covering the Pistons for PistonsOnline.com. He graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor's degree in Journalism in 2005. Simply put, basketball is his life. Whether it's watching a Pistons game, updating his Fantasy NBA team online or playing pickup with friends, basketball is Steve's greatest passion. As a player at Lamphere High School in Madison Heights, Steve was the only freshman brought up to the varsity team for districts. For what he admittedly lacks in jumping ability he makes up for in his writing, which consistently delivers a slam dunk for Pistons fans.