Michigan Sports Radio, Hope College to partner for broadcasts of ‘The Rivalry’ series with Calvin University

BY SCOTT DECAMP

For Michigan Sports Radio

Michigan Sports Radio and Hope College are preparing to kick off a broadcasting partnership showcasing “The Rivalry” with Calvin University.

With both schools’ football teams still undefeated through six weeks of the season and set to collide in a couple weeks at Calvin’s Knight Stadium, the timing may not be better.

Michigan Sports Radio and Hope College are committed to broadcasting 2026-27 Hope-Calvin matchups in football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball, plus Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament and NCAA playoff/tournament action for the Flying Dutch.

The initial broadcast of the Hope-Calvin football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, will feature veteran play-by-play man Bret Bakita and color commentator Brock Konkle, a proud Hope College alumnus and former Flying Dutch football player, who is owner and president of Michigan Sports Radio.

“We are excited to partner with Michigan Sports Radio this year to broadcast Hope College football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball games in The Rivalry,” said Alan Babbitt, sports information director for Hope College. 

“Hope-Calvin carries a rich athletic history; The Rivalry offers a memorable event every time we meet, whether we play in Holland or Grand Rapids. We are thrilled to add Michigan Sports Radio’s outstanding audio broadcast coverage of our pursuit of athletic excellence to our Anchor Network video broadcasts of home athletic events.” 

Michigan Sports Radio added Calvin University football and men’s basketball broadcasts two years ago. 

MSR’s streaming broadcasts include 15-minute pregame shows and 10- to 15-minute postgame shows.

“I’m excited, plus it’s nice to be able to cover my alma mater. That’s really exciting,” Konkle said about calling the upcoming football game. He played wide receiver for Hope 1983-87.

“I just think it’s great that we’re expanding. Now we’ll have two of the MIAA teams and who knows what we’ll get next.”

Here is the Michigan Sports Radio lineup of Hope College football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball coverage:

FOOTBALL

Nov. 7: Hope at Calvin, 1 p.m. 

Nov. 21: NCAA playoffs, home or away. Time TBA.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Jan. 23: Hope at Calvin, 7 p.m.

Feb. 20: Calvin at Hope, 8 p.m. 

Feb. 23, Feb. 25, Feb. 27: MIAA Tournament, home or away. Times TBA.

March dates: NCAA Tournament, home or away. Times TBA.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Jan. 2: Hope at Calvin, 3 p.m.

Jan. 23: Calvin at Hope, 3 p.m.

Feb. 23, Feb. 25, Feb. 27: MIAA Tournament, home or away. Times TBA.

March dates: NCAA Tournament, home or away. Times TBA.

Bakita, who’s been calling games and highlighting the West Michigan sports scene for more than 30 years, is thrilled to get the opportunity to do the upcoming Hope-Calvin football showdown.

“After getting the chance to call games in the Hope-Calvin rivalry series for both men’s and women’s basketball in my career, I am so excited to get this opportunity to call the football version of Hope-Calvin,” Bakita said.

“I want to thank president and owner of Michigan Sports Radio, Brock Konkle, for giving me this opportunity, and what a job MSR has done with their live video and audio streaming of local college and high school sports and the coverage they have provided on their website, too. … Now to be able to have Hope College athletics as a part of their menu of games, it is great to see for the local fans who want this coverage in West Michigan but unfortunately aren’t always getting it from the traditional media sources.”

Featured photo at the top: Hope players celebrate a 52-0 victory over Calvin Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in Holland. (Photo | Scott DeCamp)