5 Questions with…670 The Score's Jason Goff

CSN Chicago Senior Director of Communications
CSNChicago.com Contributor

Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? CSNChicago.com has your fix as we put the city's most popular personalities on the spot with everyone's favorite local celeb feature entitled 5 Questions with...

On Wednesdays, exclusively on CSNChicago.com, its our turn to grill the local media and other local VIPs with five random sports and non-sports related questions that will definitely be of interest to old and new fans alike.

This weeks guest ... one of the rising stars in Chicago sports talk radio who has done a standout job as both a producer/on-air host at 670 The Score over the past 12 years ... his passion and deep knowledge for all things Chicago sports, not to mention, sports and entertainment from a global perspective are simply off-the-charts ... bottom line, this guy just keeps on getting better and better ... enough with the intros, lets get to it ... it's 5 Questions with ... JASON GOFF!

BIO: Jason Goff hails from Evanston, attending Evanston Township High School and later, Southern Illinois University. Jason has been employed by The Score since February 2000 and has tackled many tasks including producing for Dan Jiggetts and Doug Buffone, Dan McNeil and Jiggetts, Jonathan Hood (J Hood) and presently The Boers and Bernstein Show. Jason has been producing The Boers and Bernstein Show for the past four years. Jason has extensively the Bulls among other Chicago teams and is a regular substitute host on the Danny Mac show. Jason has also hosted at the station since 2003, as well as covered events such as the Final Four and Championship Boxing. Jason currently resides in the West Loop.

1) CSNChicago.com: Jason, there's no hiding the fact that your status is rising as you continue to become an even bigger on-air presence at The Score. In fact, in a previous 5 Questions with interview with Matt Spiegel a couple years ago, Spiegs said that you were the most underrated on-air talent at the station, praising your fearlessness and edge and that when he does four hours with you on-air, it feels like it lasts 10 minutes. As solid of a producing job you currently are doing for Boers & Bernstein, when can your fans expect you to move on from that role to a more permanent on-air spot at the station?

Goff: Basically, whenever the people in charge feel it is my time. I've let go of thinking if it was going to happen and more when it will happen. So, once the "if" is removed, you can concentrate on getting better. I would doubt myself and wonder if people really understood or got what I was doing. As soon as I let go of that and just was who I was off the air while in front of a microphone, I was pleased with the results and feedback. I'd rather be great at this job than famous. Hopefully, one day I can be great whether it be here or elsewhere. I feel it's our duty to stay relevant. People spend 15 minutes to four hours of their day with you. The least you can do is watch what they watch and make them smile a few times along the way. If you can do that while staying true to what you believe in, you've got a jump on the competition.

2) CSNChicago.com: Growing up, who were the on-air role models that made you want to get into the radio biz and why?

Goff: I listened to Mac & Boers almost every day as a kid. I loved the way Mac controlled a show with his emotion and precise radio mechanics. Terry had (and has) as good a sports mind as I've ever been around, but doesn't waste time trying to be smarter than the room (even though he might be most times). Also, I listened to The Monsters on half days of school or when I got out early. The chemistry of Mike and Dan was evident and made you feel like you just dropped in on two guys talking sports. North's style was fun, and there was something that I respected as a man about the way Jiggs carried himself. I grew up with five uncles, so when I got a chance to work with Jiggs, he imparted some of the wisdom that I had only gotten from the men in my family, along with various other formats I grew up with and admired: Dan Bernstein, Don Wade & Roma, Kathryn Johns, Jay Marvin, etc.

3) CSNChicago.com: Not to play favorites or anything, but who would you say is the most knowledgeable Score personality when it comes to Xs and Os for ALL sports -- and, a follow-up question -- who makes you laugh harder than anyone else at the station?

Goff: Me. On both accounts. Seriously though, Bernsy is as knowledgeable a guy as I've been around. Sometimes, he over-thinks things and then we have spirited debates. The funniest guys at The Score are usually the producers (and most knowledgeable). I'm not just saying that because I'm one of them either. Hosts do a lot of double-talking when they haven't watched or read something and it's up to a producer to have that item ready for them.

Funniest guys at the station to me are behind-the-scenes guys like Brendan McCaffrey, Herb Lawrence, Nick Shepkowski, Ben Finfer, Jay Zawaski, etc. Hosts steal our information and jokes anyway. I'll try not to do the same if I ever get a show (don't hold me to that though).

4) CSNChicago.com: The White Sox have been tearing it up of late as you well know. In particular, the MVP-style of play from Paul Konerko, the stellar comeback of Adam Dunn, along with some real good pitching across the board, especially from AL Pitcher of the Month Chris Sale, and a more relaxed approach to the game under new manager Robin Ventura, has catapulted this team front and center in the eyes of the Chicago sports media. In your opinion, are there any reasons why this team cant win a very winnable AL Central title?

Goff: The Tigers haven't hit their stride yet for whatever reason and this is the White Sox team that everyone was excited about going into last year. I see no reason why they can't win the AL Central. I am worried about Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. Their health is paramount to winning a division. John Danks and Gavin Floyd haven't been reliable as of late due to injury and poor performance. Baseball is a beautifully frustrating game that way. Seasons are just long enough for anything to happen. Whatever it is, I know there will be 29,000 Sox fans at The Cell cheering them on the entire way.

5) CSNChicago.com: As a native Chicagoan like so many of us, there's no doubt you'd agree that we live in THE best summer city in the country. Tell us something that you plan on doing in the city this summer that you've never done before (keep it clean Jason, this is a G-rated interview column!).

Goff: This may be boring, but I'm going to read as much as I can this summer. Tired of reading sports stuff. Want to start reading leisurely. I may purchase a bike and ride the lake shore and become more proficient at grilling. It's hard to get out because there's always something to watch on the weekends. I'll try to enjoy myself as much as I possibly can. Never know when things may change.

BONUS QUESTION! CSNChicago.com: Anything you'd like to promote Jason? Tell us ... CSNChicago.com readers want to hear about it.

Goff: I'm involved with the great people over at onestepcamp.org, plusthe Jackie Robinson West Little League can always use a plug. I'm also trying to get sports equipment for a community center back in my old neighborhood: Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center in Evanston. Anyone's help and support out there would be truly appreciated.

Goff LINKS:

670 The Score official website

Jason Goff on Facebook

Jason Goff on Twitter