About Us
Much like the diverse tapestry of Northern Arizona’s landscape, the team behind 5th Quarter is a true reflection of this vibrant variety. Join us every Friday at 8am to discover the individuals who unite to bring the show to life.
DANNY NEAL
Since graduating from Flagstaff High School in 1972, Coach Neal has been a very active and beloved member of the community. He worked for Flagstaff Parks and Rec for 31 years, establishing and managing community centers around town. He remains active as a leader, coach, and mentor. He’s won many civic awards, including Male Citizen of the Year, and his D.R.E.A.M.S. Organization was named Organization of the Year in 2017. He is also the president of the Flagstaff Sports Foundation. Danny’s genesis idea for a show that highlight the youth and athletes of the past formed the base concept for 5th Quarter AZ. He is the one of the Executive Producers for 5th Quarter, also serving as a Host.
TYRONE JOHNSON
Tyrone Johnson is the coach for Flagstaff High School Girls basketball program. Along with winning the Girls Basketball 4A State Title Championship Game in 2023, he is a Flagstaff native and currently works full-time for the city. He recently has become the first ever Girls’ Touch Football coach for Flagstaff High School and has been awarded the 2020 Spirit of Cotton award from the Phoenix Suns. A busy man who takes time out every Friday to ‘Chop it up’ with longtime friend Danny Neal on the 5th Quarter AZ as one of the show’s founding members.
Russell Woods
A statistician at heart, if you are looking for a extensive sports history of Flagstaff, Arizona, he knows. Russell first started as one of our show Producers but quickly move on to a Co-host, where he brings the facts. Russell is the creator of Flagcoco, a social media page celebrating the rivalry between the Flagstaff Eagles and the Coconino Panthers. Flagcoco maintains a healthy presence in social media, and his online publications chronicle Flagstaff’s past as it pertains to high school sports. Along with periodicals, he maintains Coconino Football’s Black Book, the online version of Bob Oberhardt’s Eagles on the Mountain, and the history of Sinagua Football.
Jacque Gencarelle
Jacque Gencarelle is one of the founding show Producers. She grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and was a dual sport athlete (basketball, volleyball) and is a Coconino Alumni. She was an assistant coach at Sinagua Middle School and is an avid sport spectator. Main role for the 5th Quarter AZ is all things graphic design, producing, and a myriad of other things the show and the Coaches need.
Tommy Hernandez
Tommy Hernandez is a fourth generation Flagstaff resident. He is the Head Coach Northern Arizona University Club Softball team, a local business owner and longtime sports fan. Tommy joined the Show in 2023 first as a guest, then as a Co-host and show producer.
Michele Benedict
Michele Benedict is currently the Assistant Coach for the Coconino Cheer Program. She was the Eagles Youth Football and Cheerleading Club Leader for 4 years and has volunteered as a coach for Little League, AYSO Soccer and the Coconino Football Gridiron Club as the treasurer. Although Michele is an alumna of Greenway High School in Phoenix, her husband is a fourth generation Flagstaffian with most of his family graduating from Flagstaff High School. Her kids broke out of the mold with two graduates and one more to graduate from Coconino High School. She is a 5th Quarter show Producer and Co-Host.
Aaron Gencarelle
Aaron Gencarelle handles the behind-the-scenes technology for the 5th Quarter AZ talk show. Beginning his carrier here in Flagstaff, AZ at the local News station, Aaron has always felt a deep connection to Northern Arizona. Aaron brings his years of experience and award-winning live broadcast and technical skills to the show as an Executive Producer and co-founder of 5th Quarter AZ. Having raised two daughters which were coached by both Danny Neal and Tyrone Johnson, Aaron was more than will to bring Northern Arizona youth sports into the main stream.
Katie Blackett-Schneider
Katie has an interesting history of managing her role as a professional athlete at the same time as an
executive business career. Katie grew up in the magical town of Flagstaff, Arizona with her parents and
older brother. Katie received a track & field scholarship to Villanova University where she eventually
moved from a heptathlete and jumper to a long-distance runner. Upon graduation she signed a
sponsorship with the shoe company Saucony and started running marathons. Throughout Katie’s career
she ran in 3 Olympic Trials, won international marathons, and even competed in the Ironman World
Championships to impress the man that eventually became her husband. Katie is now retired from her
athletic career as she raises her three children in Boulder Colorado. Katie is an Associate Director in
Technology for AT&T Global. Her favorite hobby is coaching kids in sports to help them realize their
worth and have the confidence to tear down the sky.
If you are interested in joining the team, please fill out the out our contact information form.