Joe Scalzo

Canton, North Canton

Sports Business Reporter at Crain's Cleveland Business

Sports business reporter for @CrainsCleveland. Loves dogs, the I-formation and Seasons 3-9 of The Simpsons. Hates white condiments and Steely Dan. Genesis 39:6.

Articles

FAFSA filings rebound at area colleges after last year’s glitches

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

After last year’s disastrous rollout, this year’s FAFSA might as well stand for “Finally, A Functional Student Application.”And for colleges across Northeast Ohio, it’s delivering exactly that: more filings, fewer headaches and a much brighter spring for admissions teams. As of March 28, 60,362 high school seniors in Ohio had submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which serves as the gateway to loans, work-study and Pell grants.
On eve of retirement, John Carroll president reflects on growth, change and what's next

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Retiring John Carroll University president Alan Miciak has spent nearly a decade in University Heights and he seems to have taken the Jesuit call to humility to heart. “I guess I’m always surprised that people would find my story interesting,” Miciak said, chuckling. His tenure tells a different story — one of bold bets, big investments and a steady hand during a stormy stretch for higher education.
Kaulig Companies build Firestone momentum as Tiger Woods lurks in 2026

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

The Kaulig Companies Championship will return to Firestone's famed South Course from June 18–22, riding a nice bit of momentum from last year. But the real anticipation is for next summer when one very familiar name will be 50 years old and eligible for the PGA Tour Champions. Could Woods return — or is that just a shot in the dark?
Cleveland-area colleges keep commencement speakers low-key — and low-cost

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Six years ago, as former Kent State University dropout Michael Keaton stood before a standing-room-only crowd at his former school, he wrapped up his commencement speech with a line that was worth every bit of his $100,000 fee. “I’ve got one more thing to say and it’ll only take me a second,” he said. “I’ve got two words that I want you all to remember and they’re very important. And if I leave you with anything, I’m going to leave you with these two words.
University of Akron cuts anthropology, 20 faculty buyouts

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

The anthropology department will be phased out following a teach-out period, though a few courses will continue under sociology and the College of Health and Human Sciences. Physics will no longer be a stand-alone department; instead, its courses will be absorbed into programs such as polymer science, engineering, biology, and chemistry. UA’s board of trustees approved the changes on Tuesday, April 15, based on recommendations from President R.J. Nemer.
Kent State fires head football coach two weeks after placing him on leave

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

A university spokesperson declined to say whether Burns was fired for cause. "At this time, our focus will be to support our student-athletes and provide them with the best opportunity to have a positive and competitive experience,” athletic director Randale Richmond said in a statement. Burns, who was placed on leave with pay on March 27, went 1-23 in two seasons with the Golden Flashes, including an 0-12 mark last fall.
Loudville Brewhouse renamed Corona Cantina in Rocket Arena refresh

2 weeks ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

The deal includes a new entitlement sponsor in the arena’s upper bowl behind the south side basket, where the standing-room-only Loudville Brewhouse is now the Corona Cantina, with both Corona and Modelo beers on tap. The space was originally named the Budweiser Brew House in 2019 when the Cavs removed 1,000 seats in that section as part of the arena's larger transformation. Budweiser's partnership ended after the Cavs' 2023-24 season.
Rob Summers returning to Cleveland State as men's basketball coach

2 weeks ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Summers spent last season on Gates' staff at the University of Missouri as the team's offensive coordinator. He spent the previous two seasons at Miami (Ohio) as associate head coach. Summers replaces Daniyal Robinson, who left for North Texas last week. Summers will make $338,000 at CSU — the same salary that Robinson was earning with the Vikings, according to Cleveland.com.
Highland Park Golf Course betting on big upgrades to land LPGA event

2 weeks ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Flesher said the foundation also hopes to secure a conservation easement, aiming to attract conservation-minded donors whose contributions would help build an endowment for the property’s long-term care. “We’ve tested the model legally and we know it’s doable,” he said. “It will probably take another year to surface and really show if it has legs or not.”The loftier goal of hosting an LPGA tournament stems from a challenge from Mayor Justin Bibb, whose first round of golf was played at Highland.
Why Northeast Ohio’s mid-majors are opting into the NCAA settlement

2 weeks ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

A historic NCAA settlement could usher in direct revenue-sharing with college athletes as soon as this fall. And Northeast Ohio’s mid-major programs plan to opt in for the same reason you reach for sweatpants on Thanksgiving: flexibility, with room to adjust.