#MediaMonday – Corey La Russo
With the Kentucky Derby coming up this Saturday, our #MediaMonday today comes to us from Corey La Russo, who’s been in Valley radio for 30 years. He co-hosts Post Time Radio on Fox Sports 910 AM every Saturday from 8-9 a.m. followed by Back Spin the Golf Show from 9-11 a.m. Back Spin is also heard on Wildcat Radio 1290 in Tucson.
Corey, time to share:
Post Time is designed to promote thoroughbred horse racing in Arizona and across the country. There is certainly an audience in Arizona for the sport as there are numerous off-track betting sites and simulcasts. Naturally, the show is to influence listeners to become spectators to the track and raise awareness for the sport.
Backspin the Golf Show is the Valley’s most listened to radio show when it comes to the game of golf.
I grew up in the Los Angeles area. My dad is former five-time NBA All-Star, the late Rudy La Russo, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. So, I grew up around big-time sports and had a lot of success as both a basketball player and golfer. I attended the University of Arizona and played on the Wildcats’ golf team while studying media arts. I completed school in 1991 and became a professional golfer, touring the world on different tours from ‘91 to ‘94, playing in Canada, South America and Asia as I attempted the PGA Tour Qualifying School three times unsuccessfully.
In 1994 I turned my focus to creating Back Spin The Golf Show on KGME 1360, “The Game.” Two years later I fell into the broadcasting world full time as the executive producer of “Femino on Sports” with talk show host Tony Femino. The show was one of the highest-rated programs of its time in Phoenix and allowed me the opportunity to get up close to players, coaches and other sports personalities. While working, reporting, and hosting, I was given the opportunity to cover the 1997 Super Bowl in Tempe, among other events.
After five years I left Femino On Sports to work for a non-profit organization and return to competitive golf, emceeing events and playing on the Western States Tour with a final attempt at PGA Tour Q-School. After that I began partnering with my family interests in the investment banking world and international athlete representation.
I was introduced to horses at a young age. From the age of 12 to 16, I would spend two months a year at the Bar 717 Ranch in the Trinity Mountains of Northern California. There I was able to raise, groom, and ride the ranch horses — specifically, barrel riding and drill team activities. My dad dabbled in racehorse ownership in Southern California so our family would often attend the races at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, and Del Mar to see their horses run, making for a spirited family day. In 2012, with the help of longtime trainer Rafael Becerra Jr., I created Corey LaRusso Racing. Since that time, I’ve been involved with the ownership group of over 15 horses in California. First and foremost I am an animal lover. I have been blessed to be around the very best of people in the game. That’s what keeps me in it!
