Drew Sanders
Sports Reporter
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Drew Sanders is a South Bend native with longtime passion for sports journalism.
He earned a degree in journalism with a news concentration from Ball State University before coming home to join the WNDU team as a show producer. After donning that hat for two years, he transitioned roles within the station and became a digital producer. Months later, he took on his current role of sports reporter.
Off-days for Drew consist of watching sports, reading, playing video games and hunting for new music/podcasts to listen to.
He's thrilled to be able to share the stories of Michiana's athletes -- if you'd like to share a story idea, you can reach him via email at andrew.sanders@wndu.com
Updated: Sep. 22, 2023 at 10:23 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
When Notre Dame rolled out Spencer Shrader for a 54-yard field goal at NC State, it wasn’t just blind faith. In fact, this coaching staff says they’ve seen him hit from even further away.
Updated: Sep. 22, 2023 at 10:03 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, Julianne Pelusi and 16 News Now
This will only be the eighth meeting all-time between the Buckeyes and the Irish, and it’s the first time they’ve played at Notre Dame Stadium since 1996. But they’re familiar with each other’s programs.
Updated: Sep. 21, 2023 at 7:47 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, Matt Loch and 16 News Now
The Tigers and the Cavemen are both 3-0 in NLC play, and the winner of Friday night’s showdown will be in the driver’s seat to claim the league title.
Updated: Sep. 15, 2023 at 10:18 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
While this year’s group lacks a star like in years past, they’re starting to forge their identity under new offensive coordinator Gerad Parker.
Updated: Sep. 11, 2023 at 11:41 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
While waiting for the game to resume, head coach Marcus Freeman told his guys to forget about the sluggish start and come out aggressive.
Updated: Sep. 9, 2023 at 10:59 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
NC State’s veteran quarterback Brennan Armstrong was more of a threat with his legs last week against UConn but has proven himself to be more than capable in the passing game.
Updated: Sep. 8, 2023 at 11:08 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
The No. 11 Irish had a lot of opportunities to score but could not find the back of the net in their 1-0 loss to Michigan.
Updated: Sep. 7, 2023 at 7:05 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
As the Irish enter their first hostile environment of the year, Freeman was asked how he’s preparing his team — and particularly the freshmen — for the experience.
Updated: Sep. 3, 2023 at 8:22 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
Sam Hartman was once again the standout performer, but he and head coach Marcus Freeman were sure to give their props to everyone who had a part in this week’s win during the postgame presser.
Updated: Sep. 1, 2023 at 9:50 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
The fumble put Notre Dame’s star runner on the sideline for a short time during the season opener against Navy.
Updated: Sep. 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Fighting Irish are 1-0 for the first time in Marcus Freeman’s tenure as head coach, and they’re looking for win No. 2 this weekend.
Updated: Aug. 29, 2023 at 6:46 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
Navy’s offense is its own unique challenge, and it can be just as hard adjusting away from the triple option as it is to prepare for it.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2023 at 7:49 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Notre Dame football team has returned home to South Bend after a victorious trip to Ireland, and head coach Marcus Freeman was sure to distribute the appropriate praise while recapping the trip with the media on Monday.
Updated: Aug. 27, 2023 at 2:29 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
Wesley was back home Saturday to host a free basketball clinic for boys and girls at Riley High School.
Updated: Aug. 26, 2023 at 5:51 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
Ketterer got to Notre Dame by dominating the prep level, using the same triple option attack that the Irish will face against Navy.
Updated: Aug. 24, 2023 at 11:10 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
As you may recall, Davis was a member of the South Bend Cubs’ 2019 Midwest League championship team.
Updated: Aug. 24, 2023 at 10:59 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
On a sweltering late-August evening, the Notre Dame men’s and women’s soccer teams took on in-state opponents at Alumni stadium.
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
There’s four captains in total — two on offense and two on defense.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2023 at 5:09 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
With the win, the 23-year-old Australian all but secures her spot as a top 10 finisher on the Epson Tour, which will qualify her for the LPGA.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2023 at 5:06 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Irish start the 2023 season at home this Thursday against Milwaukee.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2023 at 4:49 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
As the team moves on from second round NFL draft pick Michael Mayer holding the tight end position down, the Irish now have just two tight ends who registered a catch last season: Mitchell Evans and Holden Staes.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2023 at 4:18 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman talked with the about media where the team stands now compared to the start of fall camp a few weeks ago and what he’s learned about the guys through the latest set of practices.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 6:14 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Irish will certainly get their fair share of chances to prove themselves and improve that ranking, as they will face three teams who are currently ranked in the coaches top 10.
Updated: Aug. 4, 2023 at 7:02 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
Freeman touched on how he’s shifted his approach a bit coming into his second year at the helm, focusing more on the small details as opposed to the big picture.
Updated: Aug. 1, 2023 at 11:37 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The defensive line was one of Notre Dame’s strongest units in 2022; they're looking to be just as dominant in 2023.
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023 at 10:20 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, Matt Loch and 16 News Now
Over just the last decade, the Fighting Irish have had four offensive linemen drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. We might be looking at the next one as we speak.
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023 at 10:24 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
Apart from their iconic gold helmets, the Irish will be wearing all green on Sept. 23 at Notre Dame Stadium.
Updated: Jul. 30, 2023 at 11:26 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
Hartman's coaches and teammates have had great things to say about their new signal-caller so far in fall camp.
Updated: Jul. 28, 2023 at 11:35 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, 16 News Now and Matt Loch
JD Bertrand, Jack Kiser, and Marist Liufau return this season to lead the Fighting Irish defense after leading the team in tackles last year.
Updated: Jul. 28, 2023 at 2:48 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
This Irish team has some important holes to fill coming into camp, starting with last year’s top pass catcher — tight end Michael Mayer.
Updated: Jul. 26, 2023 at 6:57 PM EDT
|By Matt Loch, Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Irish get to start camp a week before the rest of nation because their game in Ireland is a week before the official kickoff of the college football season.
Updated: Jul. 22, 2023 at 3:03 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
Now under a new head coaching regime, Konieczny could be poised to make his mark at the college level for the first time.
Updated: Jul. 18, 2023 at 7:09 PM EDT
|By Matt Loch, Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
On Tuesday, the Fighting Irish let 16 Sports get a peek behind the curtain by holding an open practice period for the media.
Updated: Jul. 7, 2023 at 11:39 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
Makinzie Moore is finding comfort in softball and taking her opportunity overseas to make her dad proud.
Updated: Jul. 7, 2023 at 10:42 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now and Drew Sanders
South Bend’s no-no was combined between Michael Arias, Jarod Wright, Eduarniel Nunez, and Frankie Scalzo Jr.
Updated: Jul. 6, 2023 at 6:24 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its All-State teams for 2023, and one team in particular is very Michiana-heavy.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2023 at 11:06 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The ACC/SEC challenge will begin in 2023, replacing the ACC/Big 10 challenge.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2023 at 8:49 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The Irish will play the Buckeyes on Sept. 23 and the Trojans on Oct. 14. Both games are in primetime, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2023 at 12:00 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The South Bend Cubs took down the Fort Wayne Tin Caps 5-1 at Four Winds Field, earning the Cubs their first win of the series.
Updated: Jun. 21, 2023 at 10:02 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, Matt Loch and 16 News Now
South Bend fell to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 7-1 on the first of four bobblehead giveaway nights for the Cubs this season.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2023 at 12:01 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The IHSAA boys golf state tournament wrapped up Wednesday afternoon, and there were some high finishers from Michiana on the individual leaderboard.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2023 at 7:03 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, Matt Loch and 16 News Now
16 Sports caught up with the Bees on Wednesday morning to talk about their Cinderella status in the playoffs.
Updated: Jun. 11, 2023 at 12:05 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and Matt Loch
Penn defeated two-time defending champs Roncalli on Saturday to earn the trophy, winning 2-1 in 9 innings.
Updated: Jun. 10, 2023 at 11:57 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and Matt Loch
The Caston Comets softball team played in their first-ever state championship game Saturday, but were unable to overcome the defending champion Tecumseh Braves, falling 6-0.
Updated: Jun. 10, 2023 at 4:56 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders and Matt Loch
The 2023 softball team captured the school’s first-ever state title Friday night, defeating Tri-West Hendricks 4-2 in the Class 3A state championship game.
Updated: Jun. 8, 2023 at 11:58 AM EDT
|By 16 News Now, Drew Sanders and Chuck Freeby
Swarbrick will be succeeded by Peter Bevacqua, a 1993 alumnus and chairman of NBC Sports.
Updated: Jun. 7, 2023 at 5:17 PM EDT
|By Matt Loch, Drew Sanders and 16 News Now
The annual Epson Tour golf tournament is back in South Bend this summer.
Updated: May. 30, 2023 at 4:59 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
Here’s a look at this year’s selections!
Updated: May. 29, 2023 at 3:46 PM EDT
|By Drew Sanders, 16 News Now and The Associated Press
Notre Dame defeated Duke 13-9 on Monday afternoon in Philadelphia to claim its first-ever national championship.
Updated: May. 28, 2023 at 11:03 AM EDT
|By Drew Sanders
The Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team is headed for the 2023 national championship after eking out a 13-12 overtime win in their semifinal game versus Virginia on Saturday.