Crisp-y at Plate, Behind Mic: Fairfield's Big 'Mac' Attack in MAAC

Growing up in the household with a notable sports broadcaster as his father, it came as no surprise that Fairfield University first baseman Mac Crispino was captivated by the world of home runs and strikeouts, fast breaks and three-pointers, touchdowns and field goals.

“Since he was very young he came to the Garden when I was working Knicks and Rangers, we’d go to the Mets and Yankees games when MSG Network had those broadcasts, and he’d come to the booth when I was doing the Bridgeport Bluefish,” recalls Mike Crispino, now the radio voice of the Knicks on ESPN NY Radio and Liberty play-by-play man on MSG.

A switch-hitting, slick-fielding first-sacker, Mac has helped the Stags to cinch a MAAC playoff berth with the hope of securing the regular season conference title in a crucial three-game series against Quinnipiac this week. Yesterday, Mac slammed his first career home run to pace Fairfield to a 4-2 non-conference win over UMASS.

“My dad never pressured me into playing sports, the first sport we actually played together was golf,” says the junior Crispino. “But having his presence in the household definitely geared me in the direction of sports, and it has geared me to what I want to do.”

Mac, a communications major, is not only kept busy as a starter on the baseball team and with his studies. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he also hosts a sports talk show on Fairfield’s WVOF Radio (88.5 FM). “It’s called the ‘Zac and Mac Show,’ says Crispino. “We’re on Tuesday nights from 8:00-9:00 PM, and my co-host is my buddy Zac Candeleria, the nephew of John Candelaria, who pitched in the majors for 18 years.”

“When we first started the show, dad would call in,” adds Mac. “We’d do an interview so we would get used to talking someone on the air. He’d text us advice during the show. We’ve had (MSG’s) Kenny Albert, Brendan Brown and Clyde Frazier on the show. It gets a little hectic between baseball, school and the program. I have missed a few radio shows. We have a decent following, and have a good time with it.”

The elder Crispino has delighted in giving Mac and Zac tips on developing their show and styles, little tidbits such as “how to get in and out of breaks, how to do your homework, being prepared, being informative and educated, and presenting a listenable radio show,” says the five-time Emmy Award winner. “They are very good at taking the hints.”

Mac is very good at baseball, too.

A key factor in the Fairfield starting lineup, Crispino is hitting .287 while driving in 28 runs, fourth in both categories, as a force in the Stags 27-23 record, and 12-6 in the conference for head coach Bill Currier. Great with the glove, Crispino has made only two errors in 478 chances for a nifty .996 fielding percentage.

“I had a taste of starting last year,” says Mac. “But this year there’s an increased leadership role, leading by example, and it feels good to be out there every day. Being in a groove, and if things aren’t go well, you know that your coach has confidence in you. It’s been a fun year.”

Despite Mike Crispino’s busy schedule, particularly traveling when the Knicks are in season, he makes sure to find time to get to the park to watch son play.

“I love it,” says the Knicks voice. “It’s one of the beauties for us living near Fairfield, most of the games are of driving distance. I travel to watch him, St. Peter’s, Monmouth, and of course the home games. I even saw him at North Carolina and UNC Charlotte. Whenever I can fit it in because those are special times.”

The elder Crispino marvels at the performance of the Division I student athletes: “It’s a major commitment to do what these guys do in Division I,” he says. “To play games travel study, it is a major commitment, and you have to sacrifice.”

Mac likes having his father around. He says: “It feels good, he’s at a lot of games, it’s definitely cool. He’s laid back if I have a bad day; he knows all the guys.”

When did Mac become Mac?

“He’s Michael Anthony Crispino, Jr. We called him ‘Mac’ from when he was very young.”

So now, Fairfield has a “Big ‘Mac’ Attack in the MAAC,” and Mike Crispino may have a chip off the old block in the sports broadcasting business. “You just want your kids to be happy, pursue something your passionate about. I’m all for it. There are a lot of ups and downs in broadcasting, but you have to be happy, and passionate.”

Passionate is the watchword in the Crispino household, indeed. Just look at the results.