Re: WCAP Carrying U Mass Football This Fall

["Sean Smyth" <ssmyth@suscom.net>]

Mike Beaulieu writes:
> Mark,
>  WRNX 100.9 FM is the new flagship. Football, hockey and men's basketball
> have been picked up, along with the coaches shows. WBRK, Pittsfield, WATD,
> Marshfield join WCAP as part of the UMass Radio Network.
> Bob Behler will remain as the voice of the Minutemen. I believe that he is
> now employed by the University. The Network is a joint partnership of
UMass
> and WRNX.
> WRNX went on the air in 1990 as the FM side of WTTT 1400 AM. They've since
> moved their studios to Holyoke. The transmitter is on Bear Mountain, near
> the Amherst, South Hadley town line.

I find it amazing that the "state" university has a radio network that
doesn't even involve the biggest market at all, except on a small 5,000-watt
standards station. (I thought UMass' tie-in there was Hank Morse, who used
to be ops (?) manager at Kiss108, but I thought he left a year or two ago.)
I don't see a Worcester station on this list? In Pennsylvania, any station
worth its salt (other than Philly) airs the Penn State men's basketball and
football package (it may also feature some women's hoop games thrown in). I
can't think of a city that does not have a station on the Blue and White
Network and I can think of four stations alone (all with solid signals)
within shouting range of my house that carry Penn State games. Maryland has
an equally impressive network with WBAL and its Washington affiliate (I
believe it may now be WTEM).

I know UMass' programs are nowhere near the level of Penn State's, but I
think it's time for the university (and the Legislature, with what limited
power they have over the university) to do whatever it takes to get a
network of 10-15 stations state-wide. It's the most-effective form of
propaganda out there for a Division I school. 1510 aired UMass basketball a
few years back and I would think that adding non-conflicting football and
hoops broadcasts could be a smart move for them.