Our Directors
Chris Dodson
Chris Dodson is the Executive Director of the Southern Sports Network, a leading sports broadcast company founded in 2018. With a bachelor's degree in Communications specializing in Radio/TV Broadcasting from Cameron University, Chris brings a wealth of experience to the industry. His background includes serving in Replay for Conference USA and the PAC 12 College football conferences and as League Commissioner for the Oklahoma Metro Football League and the Premiere Amateur Football League. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is passionate about traveling, gourmet cooking, and enjoying quality time with his family.
Steven Blackiston – Director of Operations
Steven joined the Southern Sports Network in 2018 as our main Play by Play Announcer. A native of Malden, MO, Steven received his Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Arkansas in 2020. Steven also received a Master's degree from the University of Arkansas in
Recreation and Sports Management in 2022.
Prior to joining the Naturals, Steven was a Broadcast Engineer with Razorback Sports Network, an affiliate of the SEC Network and radio producer for the local NPR affiliate, KUAF, and the local ESPN affiliate, ESPN 99.5. In his free time, he works as a play-by-play announcer calling anything from college volleyball to high school football.
Additionally, Steven's hobbies are watching NASCAR and Formula One, going for drives, and spending time with friends. His favorite teams are the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Las Vegas Raiders, the St. Louis Cardinals, West Ham United, and the Southern Illinois Salukis.
Our On-Air Talents
Ryan Cook - Prairie Grove Commentator
Lynn Gregson's wing man is Ryan Cook. Ryan joined the broadcast in 2015. He is a product of Prairie Grove High School (Class of 2001) and played his entire football career under Danny Abshier. Ryan has always felt a calling to invest in the lives of the ones in his sphere of influence. Since 2008, Ryan has been investing into the youth as a math and engineering teacher at Prairie Grove High School. This gives him great insight into the young men that you see on Friday nights. Ryan stays involved in different aspects of the community by previously investing his time into volunteer coaching and coordinating peewee sports and currently while serving on the Prairie Grove Planning Commission. Many of Friday night's football players, Ryan has watched play since third grade. The biggest investment that keeps Ryan busy outside of game nights is his wife, four kids, and lots of nephews and nieces.