Roanoke delegate likens convention to football game Gene Marrano July 28, 2016 1 minute read He calls it an emotional, uplifting experience akin to his experiences playing major college football at packed stadiums. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with Mike Hamlar at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia: Share: Post navigation Previous: UPDATE: Roanoke police identify officer who died in apparent suicide at police stationNext: AC service calls spike when heat waves strike Related Stories 1 minute read Flu cases peaked locally around Christmas Gene Marrano January 7, 2026 0 1 minute read Five years after Jan. 6, former Virginia congresswoman speaks out Web Staff January 7, 2026 0 1 minute read The Exchange debuts with Grace Potter, a new exhibit at Gallery 360 and the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference Gene Marrano January 7, 2026 0