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Any releases before 2001 disappeared from the Marshall communications page, but luckily I found some of them on the Wayback Machine and posted them on this page. You can click the links below to get to your desired destination faster.

Links are press releases written by WMUL-FM, unless otherwise noted. Headlines and summaries on this page come directly from the Online Director.

WMUL receives recognition at convention
MU student wins Best of Show award
WMUL earns national recognition with award
MU broadcast student wins national award
Hansford native finalist in broadcasting competition
WMUL to air program commemorating Marshall football teams of the 1990s
WMUL manager receives awards
WMUL Students Win Seven Broadcasting Awards
Marshall University's WMUL-FM students receive awards
WMUL Students Honored At IRTS/AERho Ceremony
Ready to represent his country

WMUL receives recognition at convention

(from reporter Kate Johnson of The Parthenon)

Nov. 29 - Five students who work at Marshall's student radio station, WMUL-FM, received awards for their work at the National College Media Convention/2000 College Media Advisers Inc. College Radio Awards ceremony in Washington D.C. on Nov. 11. WMUL-FM productions brought home one first place and two second place awards.

"The students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States," Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said in a press release.

"This contest is sponsored by the nation's oldest and largest college media organization," he said. "It is an honor to win three out of the nine total awards granted by this prestigious organization."

Eleanor senior Chris Roberts won first place in Best Technical Production for "War of the Worlds Y2K" which he wrote, edited, and produced.

The second place award for Best Radio Newscast went to Charleston junior April Vitello and Point Pleasant senior Brandy Barkey for the 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88," broadcast Oct. 5, 1999.

Both Vitello and Barkey were pleased with receiving the award.

"April and I worked together all last year, and this was one of our better newscasts," Barkey said. "It's a good feeling to be recognized for our hard work, not only by our peers, but nationally as well."

Vitello agreed with Barkey's sentiments. "This award shows that if you continue to work hard, it does pay off," she said.

The second place award for Best Radio Sports Reporting went to Huntington junior Jerod Smalley and Minneapolis, Minn. junior Homer Dawson for "Herd Round-Up," broadcast April 26, 2000.

"We put a lot of time into the show," Smalley said. "It's nice to be recognized after putting such hard work into something." Dawson said he and Smalley worked on the show every week and the second place finish was rewarding.

"We had a good time every week," he said. "That made the award more sweet."

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MU broadcast student wins Best of Show award

Nov. 29 - A student from Marshall University's public radio station, WMUL-FM, received the Broadcast Best of Show award at the 79th Annual National College Media Convention / 2000 Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Annual College Competition, which took place on Sunday, Nov. 12 in Washington, D.C.

Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, W.Va., was presented the ACP's only Radio Broadcast Best of Show award for the piece he hosted entitled "Hypertension: The Silent Killer" with guests Deacon Jones and Dr. Timothy Saxe, broadcast during WMUL-FM's "Beyond the Huddle" on Friday, Nov. 19, 1999.

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at MU and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said that Payne competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the country.

"This is a repeat honor for WMUL-FM and Vince Payne," Bailey said. "Vince won the Best of Show award in 1999 and now again in 2000. Winning back-to-back awards speaks well for Marshall University, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM consistently earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities."

The Best of Show competition is sponsored in cooperation with the International Society for News Design and is open only to publications and media outlets that send student delegates to the national convention. According to Bailey, the entries were evaluated for general excellence, but emphasis was placed on reporting and leadership as expressed through content.  Payne has been the only recipient of this Radio Best of Show honor having won this year and last.

More information about Payne and his award may be obtained by contacting Bailey at (304) 696-6640.

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WMUL earns national recognition with award

(from reporter Sara E. Payne of The Parthenon)

Nov. 4 - It is nice to be rewarded for a job well done.

And WMUL-FM, Marshall University's public radio station, and Marshall students received just that.

Students received four grand prize awards during the National Broadcasting Society/ Alpha Epsilon Rho Region of the Appalachian Mountains Region 2 Student Audio/Video Production Awards Competition awards ceremony Oct. 21 in Memphis, Tenn.

"We have a good program," Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said. "We don't have a big-school name, so we have to earn the recognition."

Bailey added that the school's name is getting bigger and bigger with every contest it wins. "It is an honor to have something entered in a competition, and just think what a marvelous thing it is when you win."

Patrick M. Sheehan, Hunt-ington junior, received a national award during the 2000 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Convention on Oct. 28 in Columbus.

Sheehan was presented the national award in the Radio Spot News Reporting category for his package titled "The Reverend Bird Song" broadcast during the 5 p.m. edition of Newscenter 88.

"What an accomplishment for him, because he is starting his life over," Bailey said. "Patrick is starting a new career when most individuals his age are getting ready to end theirs."

Sheehan is a 50-year-old returning student. He competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities across the nation and, also won WMUL-FM's fourth national SPJ Mark of Excellence Award.

"We enter as many competitions as we possibly can," Bailey said. "I just don't think that individuals realize how hard journalism students work."

Bailey noted that WMUL-FM's competitions act as a recruiting tool, help the school make a name for itself and that good competitors make lasting impressions to other universities' students.

"Students can get praise from their colleagues and professors, but if they don't compete with others, then how do they know if their work is good," Bailey said. "And we are building a good reputation here at WMUL."

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MU broadcast student wins national award

Nov. 1 - A student from Marshall University's public radio station, WMUL-FM, received a national award in the 2000 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Mark of Excellence Contest, which took place at the SPJ National Convention on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Columbus, Ohio.

Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington, was presented the national award in the Radio Spot News Reporting category for his package entitled "The Reverend Bird Song," broadcast during the "5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" on Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999.

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at MU and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said that Sheehan competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities across the nation representing the SPJ's 12 regions. He also noted that Sheehan won WMUL-FM's fourth national SPJ Mark of Excellence Award.

"Patrick's spot news package is model of how an event should be covered accurately and fairly," Bailey said. "He deserves all the credit and praise due him for his efforts. This achievement in the SPJ's National Mark of Excellence Contest is further evidence of the quality of work performed by our talented broadcasting students at Marshall's student radio station."

More information about Sheehan and his award may be obtained by contacting Bailey at (304) 696-6640.

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Hansford native finalist in broadcasting competition

(from reporter Ben Caldwell of CN Newspapers' Metro East)

Sept. 1 - When Vince Payne of Hansford decided on a career in broadcasting, he thought he would end up being a radio disc jockey.

But once he started studying journalism and mass communications at Marshall University, he realized there are many more avenues to explore in his chosen profession.

"I found out all that you could be involved in, from sports to news," said Payne, who is a senior at MU this year. 

He graduated from East Bank High School and is the son of Mikki and Danny Payne of Hansford.

Last month, Payne explored another facet of broadcasting - the world of talk radio at the Young American Broadcasters Conference in Washington, D.C.

Payne, as one of 10 semifinalists in the YAB's $5,000 national scholarship program, received an all-expenses-paid trip to the conference. 

Fellow MU student Patrick Sheehan was invited on the trip, based on the recommendations of faculty members.

The scholarship competition was based on talent, academics and community service during the spring 2000 semester.

During the conference in Washington, Payne, Sheehan and other students from across the country broadcast live from Radio America. 

They also got to meet talk radio personalities Victoria Jones of WMAL, Joe Madison of WWRC and Michael Harrison, editor of "Talkers" magazine.

"It was interesting being in the same room with them. They mainly talked about politics and the upcoming election. They didn't really talk about journalism," Payne said.

Other talk radio personalities in attendance were G. Gordon Liddy and Oliver North. Liddy was involved in the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration, and North was embroiled in the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan administration.

As an older student, Sheehan, 47, remembers Watergate and Iran-Contra and the people who were involved.

"It was interesting meeting them. I had a different tilt on it than some of the younger people. Most of those kids didn't know who they were," Sheehan said.

The students at the conference were allotted blocks of time on Radio America, which is a syndicated radio network heard in 100 cities in the United States.

"We got on and debated politics. It's more of a conservative network, but there were more Democrats and liberals there," Payne said.

He said he was pleased with his performance during the on-air debates on politics and other topics.

"There were students there from New York City and Los Angeles, where the newspapers have more politics and news than in West Virginia," he said. 

To prepare for the broadcast, Payne boned up on politics and current events by reading The Washington Post and other major U.S. newspapers.

At MU, Payne is a news reporter and talent for WMUL, the student-run radio station. He has won 28 state, regional, national and international awards for his work. He has also served as sports director for the station.

At WMUL, Sheehan does a lot of news broadcasting and investigative reporting. He also has a show called "The Friday Frenzy with the Rock Monster" from 4 to 6 p.m. every Friday.

Sheehan said he came away from the conference with a better understanding of the power of talk radio.

"Even though I'm in broadcasting, I wasn't aware of the talk radio phenomenon and its political connotations - I got a feel for that," he said.

Payne has a lofty goal when he graduates.

"I'd like to do the NBA on NBC," he said.

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WMUL to air program commemorating Marshall football teams of the 1990s

(from reporter Lara K. Streit of The Parthenon)

Aug. 31 - Marshall's campus radio station, WMUL-FM 88.1, will host a two-part program called "Playing for Championships" to commemorate the Thundering Herd football teams of the 1990s.

Part I airs tonight following the Southeast Missouri State game. This part will review the Herd when they were a Division I-AA team.

Part II will air at 7 p.m. Friday and will highlight Marshall's first three years as a Division I-A team.

The program features interviews with former Herd players, such as Chad Pennington and Larry McCloud, and coaches, including coach Bob Pruett's predecessor Jim Donnan.

The program was written and produced by Todd McCormick, Burke, Va., graduate student.

"I don't know of anyone producing a radio program to celebrate the 'Team of the '90s," McCormick said.

"The project was a labor of love for me. I wanted to do this because Marshall had phenomenal seasons of athletic excellence while I was a student."

Dr. Charles G. Bailey, faculty manager for WMUL, says the program serves two purposes. "The program celebrates Marshall's decade of dominance and it also shows off WMUL's excellence for covering Marshall games."

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WMUL manager receives awards

(from reporter Charlene L. Cornell of The Parthenon)

June 15 - One of Marshall University's own received two awards for excellence in teaching and broadcasting.

Dr. Charles G. Bailey, faculty manager of WMUL, received the John Marshall Award for Extraordinary Service to West Virginia Higher Education. President Dan Angel presented the award to Bailey at the annual picnic for the station's student workers on May 3.

"I was speechless," Bailey said. "I was surprised. I wasn't expecting it. We were at the WMUL picnic and the president had been so gracious to invite my students there to give them acknowledgment for their success this year."

During the award ceremony, Patrick Sheehan, continuity director, thanked Bailey for the opportunity to work at WMUL. While Sheehan spoke, Angel left the room.

"I thought 'Oh my stars, we've bored him," Bailey said. "We're making him uncomfortable. I didn't know why he left. When Patrick finished, Dr. Spears got the microphone and said that we have one other award to give out. Then Dr. Angel came around corner with it."

A month later Bailey was honored by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association when he accepted the Significant Impact Achievement Award. The award is designed to recognize an individual's contribution in their local regions and their place of employment.

"It is very touching when people acknowledge you're doing a good job," Bailey said. "I don't care whatever you're doing in your life, if someone somewhere else takes time to notice. I didn't do what I did here for an award.

"For a professional organization like this, that is biggest compliment I think I could receive professionally."

As for Bailey's future he plans to continue what he has been doing.

"I plan to be here awhile." Bailey said. "The way I look at it, there's people in junior highs right now that in four or five years that are going to have to deal with Dr. Bailey.

"I am a long way from retiring. When you talk about having to retire at 68 or 70. I have another 20 years."

Bailey has worked at Marshall since 1985. During his 15 years of service he has worked at WMUL and served as president and vice president of the WVAPBA.

"I love it," Bailey said. "This is what I do."

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WMUL Students Win Seven Broadcasting Awards

June 8 - Students from Marshall University's public radio station, WMUL-FM, received seven honorable mention awards during the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association's 1999 broadcast journalism awards ceremony June 3.

The students competed with commercial and non-commercial radio stations from throughout the state. "Winning seven honorable mention awards, especially one in the Outstanding News Operation category, is quite an accomplishment considering that the students are competing with broadcasting professionals across West Virginia," said Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, faculty manager of WMUL-FM.

According to Bailey, this effort caps an unsurpassed 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 seven honorable mention award-winning entries were:

With the addition of these seven honorable mention awards, the student broadcasters have received a WMUL record 57 awards in various competitions during the 1999-2000 academic year. The 57 awards surpassed the campus radio station's previous record of 56 awards in a year set in 1996-97. The students' grand total of 57 awards this year also includes 22 first place awards, eight second place awards, ten third place awards and 17 honorable mention awards.

The judges of the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association radio contest for 1999 were members of Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters Association. More information about the awards may be obtained by contacting Bailey at (304) 696-6640.

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Marshall University's WMUL-FM students receive awards

May 9 - Students from Marshall University's public radio station, WMUL-FM received 13 awards during the 2000 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Contest April 29 at the Troy Marriott Hotel in Troy, Mich.

According to Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities in SPJ's Region 4 consisting of West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and western Pennsylvania.

"Our radio students have established a tradition at WMUL-FM of being able to successfully compete at the national, regional or state level with other student-operated college radio stations," Bailey said. "This overwhelming performance in SPJ's Mark of Excellence Contest is further evidence of the quality of the work performed by our talented broadcasting students."

MU was the 2000 sweepstakes winner for the Region 4 contest by having the most points for awards in the newspaper, magazine, radio and television categories. The runner up award went to Kent State University. Ohio University finished third place and Ohio State University finished fourth.

The following is a list of the awards and the winners:

The first place award winning entries in radio were:

Radio Newscast

"5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" anchored by Chris Roberts, a senior from Eleanor, W.Va. and Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, W.Va. The newscast was broadcast December 2, 1999.

Radio Spot News Reporting

"The Reverend Birdsong" reported by Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington. It was broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" on November 30, 1999.

Radio In-Depth Reporting

"Harmony House: Helping Dreams Come True" written and produced by Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, W.Va. It was broadcast during "Aircheck" April
19, 1999.

Radio Sports Reporting

"Unknown Perfection" written, edited and produced by Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, W.Va. and Todd McCormick, a graduate student from Burke, Va. It was broadcast in the pregame of the Ford Motor City Bowl played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. December 27, 1999.

The second place award winning entries in radio were:

Radio Newscast

"5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" anchored by Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington and Shellie Webb, a sophomore from Chesapeake, Ohio. The newscast was broadcast October 8, 1999.

Radio Spot News Reporting

"Chemical Spill" reported by Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, W.Va. It was broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" on October 18,
1999.

Radio In-Depth Reporting

"A Glimpse of the Elephant: The Battle of Barboursville 1861" was written by Nicole Walters, a senior from St. Albans; Bryan Casto, a junior from Nitro and Robert Harper, a junior from Hurricane. It was produced by Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, W.Va.; Todd McCormick, a graduate student from Burke, Va.; Chris Roberts, a senior from Eleanor, W.Va.; Sean Hamilton, a senior from Huntington and Shawn Seagroves, a senior from Huntington.The documentary was written and produced for JMC 334 Advanced Audio Production class and broadcast February 16, 1999.

"Clemson Previews" written and produced by Robert Harper, a junior from Hurricane. It was broadcast during "The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" on March 29, 30 and 31, 1999.

The third place award winning entries in radio were:

Radio Newscast

"5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" anchored by Nicole Walters, a senior from St. Albans and Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, W.Va. The newscast was broadcast March 2, 1999.

Radio Spot News Reporting

"Marshall University Students Crash" reported by Nicole Walters, a senior from St. Albans and Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, W.Va. It was broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" on November 15, 1999.

Radio In-Depth Reporting

"Hypertension: The Silent Killer" with guests, Deacon Jones and Dr. Timothy Saxe and the host of "Beyond the Huddle," Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, W.Va. It was broadcast November 19, 1999.

More information about the awards may be obtained by contacting Bailey at WMUL-FM at (304) 696-6640.

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WMUL Students Honored At IRTS/AERho Ceremony

Mar. 31 - Students from Marshall University's public radio station, WMUL-FM, received nine (9) grand prize awards and ten (10) honorable mention awards during the International Radio Television Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho (IRTS/AERho) 37th Annual National Student Audio/Video Scriptwriting and Audio/Video Production Awards Competition ceremony held Saturday, March 18, 2000, at the Doubletree Hotel Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said that the students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States.

"It is simply an incredible accomplishment to win nine (9) grand prizes out of the sixteen (16) total audio scriptwriting and audio production categories in the national broadcasting honorary's competition in a single year. This is a dominating performance by our radio students. Winning speaks well for Marshall University, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM consistently earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities," said Bailey.

Here is a full listing of the Marshall University winners and their projects...

The grand prize award winning entries in scriptwriting were:

Audio Documentary Script
The script for the documentary "Reading the Whirlwind: The Raid on Guyandotte 1861" was written by Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington.  The documentary script was written for JMC 334 Advanced Audio Production class during the 1999 fall semester.

Audio Instructional / Industrial / Promotional Program Script
The script for the promotional program "Harmony House: Helping Dreams Come True" was written by Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville.  The promotional program script was written for JMC 231 Introduction to Audio Production class during the 1999 spring semester.

Audio Comedy Program or Segment Script
The script for the comedy program "Marshall Law: Enter the Chief Justice" was written by Christian Bavle, a senior from Kenna.  The comedy program script was written for JMC 272 Practice in Radio during the 1999 fall semester.

The grand prize award winning entries in production were:

Audio News Package
"Marshall University Students Crash" reported by Nicky Walters, a senior from St. Albans, broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" Tuesday, March 30, 1999.

Audio News / Magazine Program
"5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" anchored by Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington, and Shellie Webb, a sophomore from Chesapeake, Ohio, broadcast Friday, October, 8, 1999.

Audio Public Affairs / Interview
"Hypertension: The Silent Killer" with guests, Deacon Jones and Dr. Timothy Saxe, and the host of "Beyond the Huddle," Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, broadcast Friday, November 19, 1999.

Audio Documentary
"A Glimpse of the Elephant: The Battle of Barboursville 1861" was written by Nicole Walters, a junior from St. Albans: Bryan Casto, a junior from Nitro, and Robert Harper, a junior from Hurricane; produced by Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford: Todd McCormick, a graduate student from Burke, Virginia; Chris Roberts, a senior from Huntington; and Shawn Seagroves, a senior from Huntington.  The documentary was written and produced for JMC 334 Advanced Audio Production class and broadcast Tuesday, February 16, 1999.

Audio Instructional / Industrial / Promotional Program
"Harmony House: Helping Dreams Come True" written and produced by Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, broadcast during "Airtech" Monday, April 19, 1999.

Sports: Pre-game, Play-by-Play or Post Game Programming
WMUL-FM's broadcast of the Marshall University versus University of Massachusetts contest played at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, West Virginia on Saturday, December 5, 1998.  The students calling the Herd's game against an Atlantic 10 Conference opponent were:
Play-by-play announcer-Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford;
Color commentators-Kenneth L. Barnette II, a senior from Buchannon;
Robert Harper, a junior from Hurricane and statistician-John Ellifritz, a senior from Keyser.

The honorable mention awards in production went to:

Audio News Package
"The Reverend Birdsong" reported by Patrick M. Sheehan, a junior from Huntington, broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" Thursday, September 16, 1999.

Audio News Package
"Chemical Spill" reported by Jason Littell, a junior from Moundsville, broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" Monday, October 18, 1999.

Audio Sports / Feature Package
"Rocket Girls" written and produced by Nicky Walters, a senior from St. Albans, broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" Tuesday, October 12, 1999.

Audio News / Sports / Feature / Segment
"Day Care Dedication" written and produced by Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, broadcast Friday, August 13, 1999.

Audio News / Sports / Feature / Segment
"The Marshall University Memorial Plane Crash Ceremony: Keeping the Spirit Alive" written and reported by Nicky Walters, a senior from St. Albans, and Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford broadcast during the "5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" Monday, November 15, 1999.

Audio Public Affairs / Interview
"Beyond the Huddle with guests Chad Pennington and Mike Guilliams" with host Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, broadcast Sunday, October 3, 1999.

Audio News / Magazine Program
"5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88" anchored by April Vitello, a junior from Charleston, and Brandy Barkey, a senior from Pt. Pleasant, broadcast Tuesday, October 5, 1999.

Audio Commercials / Promos / Public Service Announcement
"Guyandote Civil War Days," a public service announcement for "Thunder in the Village," written and produced by Christian Bavle, a senior from Kenna, in WMUL-FM's public service announcement rotation from Monday, September 27, 1999 to Monday, November 8, 1999.

Audio Instructional / Industrial / Promotional Program
"A Special Edition of Beyond the Huddle: College Football Hall of Fame" with host Vince Payne, a senior from Hansford, broadcast Friday, December 3, 1999.

The International Radio Television Society / Alpha Epsilon Rho (IRTS/AERho) 37th Annual National Student Audio Scriptwriting and Audio Production Awards Competition presented March 18, 2000.

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Ready to represent his country

(from reporter Tamara Endicott of The Parthenon)

Feb. 23 - Peter Douglas Collman, 26, is proud his disability usually is not the first thing people think of when they think of him.

His humanity, sense of humor, personality, stamina and drive to succeed are.

"He's the most likeable person you'll ever meet," said Dr. Chuck Bailey, associate professor in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty manager of WMUL. "He always had a smile on his face when he was here."

In 1984, Collman, who was 12 at the time, contracted a rare neurological virus that damaged the T-4 and T-6 region of his spinal cord.

Bailey said Collman has not allowed the disabililty to hinder his success or stop him from achieving his goals.

Collman, a 1996 graduate of Marshall's radio/ television program, is a "legend" because of his personality and the many awards he received, Bailey said.

Collman won 21 first place awards from the West Virginia Associated Press, National Association of College Broadcasters, College Radio Awards, Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence and Alpha Epsilon Rho National Student Production awards.

Collman also recieved four second place, one third place and 10 merit awards at Marshall. He also served as sports, news and training director for WMUL.

Now his greatest challenge is training for tournaments to acquire a position on the 2000 Paralympic team as a wheelchair fencer. There will be five men and three women on the team scheduled to compete against other international teams in Sydney, Australia, this fall.

Collman, who has been in three tournaments, is ranked No. 6 in the nation overall and No. 2 in the nation for the sabre category.

He is going to Oviedo, Spain, today to compete in a tournament. Collman said he hopes to qualify for the competition in a tournament in Cleveland in April, the Italy World Cup in May and the final qualifying round in Austin, Texas, in June.

"I am very proud and very fortunate that I can represent my country in this way," Collman said. "I never thought that this would happen.

"It happened so fast. I get to meet so many other people in other cultures. If I get anything out of this, if I don't make the team, at least it's the journey that's been amazing."

Collman has complete use of his body except for one leg. That, combined with his drive to succeed, is why he is a natural for the United States team, Bailey said.

"You never thought about his wheelchair until we were going to a ballgame someplace in the Southern Conference Tournament and we'd have to say, 'Oh, by the way, we need handicap access for one of our sportscasters,' " Bailey said.

"It's not a factor. He's got the best attitude of anybody I know. He's an inspiration and I just think it's an unbelievable, heartwarming story about what's possible."

The feeling of admiration is mutual, Collman said. He described Bailey as his mentor because of Bailey's support and instruction in broadcasting and his direction in producing quality documentaries.

Collman said he decided to attend Marshall because of its strong radio/television program.

"I have really been fortunate to go to Marshall for that reason," he said.

"There is such a stress put on being the best. Especially working with radio and competing nationally with many other colleges."

Collman also received a bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University, where he was general station manager for the campus radio station. The station won several Michigan Association of Broadcasting awards under his direction.

He also produced, directed and hosted a television show, "Independent Today," which was underwritten by the Center for Independent Living in Lansing, Mich.

Now, Collman works in the public relations department of Sheperd's Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta. He speaks to children and young adults on how to prevent spinal cord injury, while teaching disability awareness.

Collman said he is satisfied with his education, but is considering attending graduate school for history to help him produce high-quality documentaries.

"I have a real passion for history and I would like to do presentations for the History Channel, Discovery [or] National Geographic," he said.

"It would be something I would consider a goal in my career. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, I am sure I'll find something else to do and be happy with it."