With a rush of about 25 stations registering to take part in the last 24 hours, the idea of College Radio Day seems to have caught on.
Radio World told you about the event early, and featured a commentary in our opinion section by organizer Rob Quicke.
Today, Oct. 11, is the first College Radio Day. The overall tally stood at 351 stations as of late morning.
“Since we last talked, there has been a huge interest in this idea from across the world,” Quicke emailed Radio World today. “It seems obvious to me that the next step is to go international next year and invite college radio stations across the world to join this movement. So, things are very exciting here.”
Seton Hall Hall University’s WSOU(FM) has played it big, putting out a press release and emphasizing the station’s role in helping give early airplay to big-name acts. The station is interviewing bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Senses Fail and God Forbid, and featuring commentary about the role of college radio.
Student Station manager Omar Ahmad stated in the announcement, “Many people tend to overlook or write off college radio, as there seems to be a misinformed opinion that radio is dead. Radio is not dead, and in fact, is still responsible for creating and shaping the careers of many artists and experts in the field of communications.”
Quicke told RW about several other activities:
- WITR(FM) at Rochester Institute of Technology is raffling off a guitar that has been signed by every band that has come into the station for a live session.
- The WOLF, an Internet station at the University of West Georgia, partnered with Atlanta Mission to hold a clothing drive, “Waylin’s Robin’ the Hood for the Greater Good.” The first 200 students to donate get free wrist bands.
- Sting Radio, an online station at the University of Texas at Brownsville, teamed with the Student Radio Club and a local production company to celebrate with BMX Bike Performers, dance crew performances and a live graffiti art demonstration.
- WCCR(FM) at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., is offering music programming like “The Jazz Stop,” “The British Hour,” “Hillbilly Highway,” “Dance Party!” and “Strictly The Sixties,” highlighting a selection of music not found on commercial radio.
- KTAI(FM) at Texas A&M University, Kingsville, planned an 11-hour “Blowout on the Boulevard.” A main street is closed off for the day. Celebrations include a classic car show, 10 live bands, horse and pony rides (really), mascot “Porky” and cheerleaders.
