Chuck Freeby Celebrated 33 Years of Pregame Coverage
The veteran broadcaster reflected on the long-running Countdown to Kickoff program.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
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Chuck Freeby returned to WNDU to honor the 33-year legacy of the Countdown to Kickoff pregame show. The program first launched in 1993 to cover a historic matchup between Notre Dame and Florida State.
Why it matters
The show serves as a foundational element of local sports media, having built its reputation on multi-decade coverage of Notre Dame football. It continues to connect fans to the team's ongoing traditions.
The show originated during the 1993 Notre Dame vs. Florida State game, which ended in a 31-24 victory. Historical metrics include the famous 10-10 tie between Notre Dame and Michigan State in 1966.
The players
Chuck Freeby
He is a veteran broadcaster and personality who is a central figure in the local media coverage of Notre Dame football.
Jeanne Obringer
She is a longtime member of the production staff who has worked on the Countdown to Kickoff show for its entire 33-year run.
WNDU
This is the television station based in South Bend that produces the Countdown to Kickoff program.
Notre Dame
This is the university whose football team is the subject of the long-running pregame television tradition.
Michigan State
This is the university whose football team maintains a historical rivalry with Notre Dame.
The details
Freeby highlighted how the production team maintains performance by leaning on the collective work of previous crews and leveraging the roster's defensive depth. The broadcast remains a staple as the program evolves to cover current squad adjustments, including player replacements like Luke Talich for Brauntae Johnson.
Timeline
November 13, 1993: First Countdown to Kickoff broadcast
1966: Notre Dame versus Michigan State Game of the Century
September 19, 2026: Chuck Freeby appeared on WNDU
Season Trajectory
The ongoing analysis of the Notre Dame football team mirrors the intense historical scrutiny seen during the 1966 Game of the Century. This season trajectory relies on defensive depth to mitigate potential game-day volatility caused by weather or turnovers.
Analysts project a 42-10 win for Notre Dame against Michigan State, contingent on maintaining defensive performance. Readers should monitor weather reports and turnover rates as these variables are expected to significantly influence the final result.
The takeaway
The longevity of media traditions like Countdown to Kickoff underscores the deep community connection to regional college football. Fans can look forward to upcoming matchups with a renewed appreciation for the decades of coverage that have defined the rivalry.
Further reading
For more on the current team's season, visit the Football section.
Live Poll
Do you believe local pregame traditions are important to the character of college football rivalries?
