Fred Toucher made a long-awaited announcement on Tuesday morning’s edition of the morning drive program on 98.5 The Sports Hub, revealing his new co-host beginning on January 4, 2024. Rob “Hardy” Poole, a member of the station since 2009, will join Toucher on the new Toucher & Hardy morning show from 6a-10a ET on weekdays, starting a new era in the mornings on the Beasley Media Group-owned outlet.
After graduating from Michigan State University, Hardy worked for 15 years as a rock DJ on music radio before making the switch to 98.5 The Sports Hub. Through the last eight years, he has worked with Zolak & Bertrand in middays, contributing to the ratings success of the multiple Marconi award-winning station. Hardy has continued working in music radio on Beasley Media Group’s Rock 92.9, and he has also been the host of the Sports Hub Golf Club show as well.
“Hardy is one of the most talented and creative individuals I have ever worked with in radio,” 98.5 The Sports Hub program director Rick Radzik said in a statement. “Teaming him with Fred was just a natural fit for our new morning show. I look forward to them providing great content and entertaining our listeners for years to come.”
“Hardy was the perfect candidate to join Fred and the team to take this show to even greater heights,” Mary Menna, Beasley Media Group Boston vice president and market manager, said in a statement. “Everybody loves him!”
Toucher teased an announcement about the future of the morning program on Instagram, drawing the attention of listeners with an interest in the search process. The Hub’s morning man shared that there were many people interested in the opening, with some candidates even reaching out to him personally. He recalled the situation regarding how former co-host Rich Shertenlieb and 98.5 The Sports Hub were unable to come to terms on a contract. In fact, there had been an enigma and uncertainty pertaining to Shertenlieb throughout the year, accentuated by Toucher’s absences after a medical emergency and checking himself into a rehabilitation facility for alcoholism.
Toucher inked a contract extension with the station in October while Shertenlieb’s name was omitted from the announcement, bolstering speculation on the duo’s future together. In early November, Toucher revealed that Shertenlieb was leaving the station, ending a 17-year partnership together and initiating a search for his new partner.
There were various people involved in the search, eliciting thanks from Toucher before he revealed the news Tuesday morning. He took the time to spotlight Ryan Johnston in particular, who will have accumulated over 100 fill-in appearances for the station by the end of the year. Moreover, Toucher shared his thoughts on Kendra Middleton, who reportedly interviewed for the role and has worked to establish herself in the industry.
“Kendra Middleton, who I didn’t even know four months ago, and now I think is one of the most talented people in radio,” Toucher said. “I think that Kendra, as I said, is going to be a huge star, and I think it’s going to happen soon, so someone better scoop her up. Until that happens – and I don’t know what Kendra’s future is – but Kendra, I can tell you, is going to be a big part of whatever happens going forward outside of this whole betting thing that she’s doing right now; we’ll get her involved in other stuff.”
Jon Wallach will also retain his role on the program, with Toucher mentioning that his job was never in jeopardy. Wallach has been a member of the station since 2009 while also doing work with the Boston Celtics as a commentator filling in as a play-by-play announcer on the radio for select games.
Other contributors who work on the program, including Mike Lockhart, Dan O’Brien and Nick Gemelli, were all mentioned within the segment as well and commended for welcoming Hardy to the program. From the beginning, Toucher informed his agent to tell station management that if something were to happen between him and Rich that Hardy would represent the partner he would be most interested in working with going forward.
“Now why?,” Toucher said. “Because I’ve known him for almost as long as I’ve known Rich; I consider him a good friend. He’s someone that I talk to who makes me laugh in my personal life, he’s extremely talented with production and he’s been quite frankly underutilized here at this radio station – not in terms of his jobs – he’s like one of these guys that has 17 maintenance jobs – he just works all over the place, but hopefully that can stop.”
Upon the conclusion of the announcement, Hardy expressed his gratitude towards Toucher and being able to officially sign the contract that has granted him the highly-coveted co-host role on the top-rated Boston morning program. Reminiscing over the years about some of the bits and segments he has produced, the show played them back for listeners to enjoy as he conveyed his appreciation and excitement for the new chapter set to commence.
“As a lifelong radio guy, I’m thrilled for this opportunity,” Hardy said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with Fred and the rest of the morning show crew on what I believe will be a great show.”
