FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Contact:
Dave Wellman, Director of
Communications, (304) 696-7153
WMUL-FM wins 14 WVPA awards in broadcast journalism
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received seven first-place awards and seven honorable mentions during the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association’s 2005 broadcast journalism awards ceremony April 22, 2006 at Pipestem State Park in Princeton, W.Va.
Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the William Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the university competed with commercial and noncommercial radio stations from throughout the state.
“Winning the top two news and sports station awards and five other first-place awards is quite an accomplishment considering that the students are competing with broadcasting professionals across West Virginia,” Bailey said. “This stellar effort caps a record-setting year by the volunteer student staff of WMUL-FM in garnering recognition for Marshall University from state, regional, and national broadcasting organizations that evaluate the work done at campus radio stations.”
The judges of the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association radio contest for 2005 were members of the Wisconsin Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
With the addition of the 14 awards, the student broadcasters have won 77 awards for the 2005-2006 academic year, including 30 first-place awards, 11 second-place awards, three third-place awards and 33 honorable mention awards.
The seven first-place individual award winning entries in the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association’s 2005 broadcast journalism awards were:
Outstanding News Operation
The Newscenter 88 team. The news director for spring and fall semesters of 2005 was Melanie P. Chapman, a graduate student from McConnell, W.Va.
Judges’ comments: “These students pack a lot into their work, demonstrating passion for what they do. The segments move nicely. There is excellent use of audio to sustain interest in a lengthy piece. They write well in broadcast style and use good production skills. The judges enjoyed the variety in a fast-paced 44:56 of listening. Above all, the judges admired the enthusiasm of these young men and women. If the radio industry is to thrive, it needs that kind of commitment from those who are up-and-comers.”
Outstanding sports operation
FM-88.1 sports staff. The sports directors were Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., for the 2005 spring semester, and Dave Wilson, a junior from St. Marys, W.Va., for the 2005 fall semester.
No judges’ comments were provided.
Best regularly scheduled newscast
“The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” broadcast Friday, April 1, 2005. The students who participated in the newscast were: Ben Hunt, senior, Pikeville, Ky. Producer; Jen Smith, senior, Huntington, news anchor; Brandon Millman, junior, Huntington, news anchor; and Terry Bartley, sophomore, Foster, W.Va, sports anchor.
Judges’ comments: “Nice variety of stories. Good clean audio cuts. It's evident the students pay attention to writing skills. They bring a great deal of enthusiasm to their work. It shows in this piece.”
Best sports play-by-play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus the University of
Southern Mississippi played at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005.
The students calling the football game broadcast over 88.1 were football play-by-play announcer Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va.; color commentator Dave Wilson, a junior from St. Marys, W.Va.; sideline reporter Melanie Chapman, a graduate student from McConnell, W.Va.; and engineer Jen Smith, a senior from Huntington.
Judges’ comments: “The judges thought the play-by-play was superior to other entrants and captured the excitement of game. Reed was the most descriptive announcer among those who entered and did a good job painting the “word picture” of the game.”
Best sports special
“Farewell to the MAC: 2004 Football Season in Review,” anchored by Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., broadcast Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “Alex Reed was a strong, compelling on-air host. This entry made the best use of audio and had the highest production value.”
Best sports talk show
“Sportsview: Special guest Mark Snyder, new head football coach at Marshall University,” interviewed during the call-in talk program by Dave Wilson, a junior from St. Marys, W. Va., and produced by Brandon Millman, a junior from Huntington, broadcast Wednesday, April 20, 2005.
Judges comments: “Dave Wilson was the best interviewer of the entrants. The coach’s interview had enough human-interest content that this would have also been a strong stand-alone piece for a news magazine or public affairs program.”
Best sportscaster
“A Compilation of Work,” written and produced by Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., for the FM 88 sports team and broadcast during 2005.
Judges’ comments: “Alex, you sound good. Your writing is engaging and the delivery backs that up. You seem able to do a wide variety of tasks.”
The seven honorable mention award winning entries were:
Best breaking news coverage
“Pruett Retires,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a graduate student from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during “The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Monday, March 9, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “The reporter made good use of audio. The package was missing the reaction from current members of the football team. The writing was concise with an easy to follow, creative approach.”
Best feature
“The Huntington Game,” a documentary program written and produced by Adam Nedeff, a recent graduate from Parkersburg, W.Va. The program was completed Monday, July 11, 2005, and was broadcast on “Aircheck” Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “Interesting and unusual topic that had good research. The judges would have loved to have heard some actual audio from the game shows!”
Best documentary
“Take Charge,” a documentary program written and produced by Kelsey Austin, a recent graduate from Culloden, W.Va. The documentary was broadcast during “Aircheck” Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “Very relevant topic for students and their parents. There was a good variety of guests. The background music got a bit distracting.”
Best sports play-by-play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus Bowling Green State University men’s basketball game played at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. The students calling the game were basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va., and color commentator Robert Harper, a graduate student from Hurricane, W.Va.
No judges’ comments were provided.
Best sports special
“To Change or Not to Change Gameday: The Pros and Cons of Weeknight College Football Games,” a documentary program written and produced by Clark Davis, a graduate student from Huntington. The documentary was broadcast during “Aircheck” Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “This entry is worthy of honorable mention because it was the most interesting topic. The judges thought the piece was not as tight as it should have been.”
Best news anchor team
“The 5:00 p.m Edition of Newscenter 88,” written and produced by Jen Smith, a senior from Huntington, and Brandon Millman, a junior from Huntington, broadcast Friday, March 11, 2005.
Judges’ comments: “You guys sound very good for still being students. A little more time will give your delivery what it needs.”
Best news reporter
“A Compilation of Work,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a graduate student from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” during 2005.
Judges’ comments: “Melanie, use more natural sound! Your delivery is good, however, it still sounds a bit like you are reading. Try to get off the page a bit. You should sound like my best friend telling me a story. Also, radio should be immediate. Be careful about using past tense references in your copy.”
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