Kent State Announces Expansion of Kent State Radio Network
8/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Football will air on WHLO 640-AM, WHK 1420-AM, WHKW 1440-AM; Mens Basketball on WNIR 100.1-FM; Womens Basketball on WHLO 640-AM; Inside Kent State Sports weekly radio show debuts next Thursday, Sept. 2
KENT, Ohio Kent State University Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy announced today that the Kent State Radio Network will expand in the upcoming 2004-05 academic year. The new network will blanket northeast Ohio for football, including stations in Akron, Cleveland and Youngstown, as well as a new Inside Kent State Sports radio show that will air live each Thursday evening during the football and basketball seasons.
The voice of Golden Flashes football and mens basketball Bill Needle returns to the microphone, as does Tom Linder, color analyst for football and play-by-play announcer for womens basketball. Joining the football broadcast team in 2004 is former assistant coach Mike Drake, who will report from the Kent State sideline.
"The new radio network is a very significant step forward for Kent State Athletics," Kennedy said. "It gives us the opportunity to promote and market our radio broadcasts throughout northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, and to broaden our range not only beyond Akron, but to Youngstown as well.
"The collaboration with our radio partners also gives us the opportunity to cross-market our comprehensive program through the radio show," Kennedy continued. "Im also excited to add Mike Drake to our broadcasts and very pleased personally that we were able to keep Mike on staff as an academic counselor and now give him the opportunity to remain involved with the football program as a radio reporter."
Starting this fall, Kent State football games will be heard on Clear Channels WHLO 640-AM, originating in Akron, and Salem Communications WHK 1420-AM and WHKW 1440-AM, originating in Cleveland and Youngstown, respectively. Kent States mens basketball games will remain on WNIR 100.1-FM, while WHLO will continue to air Golden Flashes womens basketball.
"Im very excited about our new Kent State Radio Network," said Peter Mahoney, Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs. "It will provide us with tremendous coverage throughout the region and is also provides coverage that compliments the success of Kent State Athletics."
The new agreement also will increase coverage for Kent State on game day, as football broadcasts will now feature an hour-long pregame show and a 30-minute postgame show. The mens basketball broadcasts will now have a 30-minute postgame show, while womens broadcasts will have 30-minute pregame and postgame shows.
Also new this fall will be a live weekly Inside Kent State Sports radio show that will air on WHLO 640-AM, beginning Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. The show will be broadcast from Damons Restaurant in Kent, and will feature interviews with Kent State coaches, including football coach Doug Martin and basketball coaches Jim Christian and Bob Lindsay, as well news, notes and the latest in Kent State Athletics. The radio show will be hosted by Bill Needle and air each Thursday at 6 p.m.
"The Inside Kent State Sports radio show is an exciting new feature for our fans," Mahoney said. "It will allow them a more in-depth look at our athletic programs. The show and expanded network are a sign of great things that are occurring within Kent State Athletics."
Features of the expanded Kent State Radio Network:
A 60-minute football pregame show and 30-minute postgame coverage.
15-minute pregame mens basketball program and a 30-minute postgame show.
30-minute pregame and postgame shows for womens basketball.
In-season weekly radio show, "Inside Kent State Sports" featuring Doug Martin, Jim Christian and Bob Lindsay on WHLO 640-AM.
Football broadcast on: WHLO 640-AM, WHK 1420-AM and WHKW 1440-AM.
Mens Basketball broadcast on: WNIR 100.1-FM.
Womens Basketball broadcast on: WHLO 640-AM.
