| Latest updates to this page: | 3/20(08) - new design is up |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
If you cannot hear any sound, click the icon below to download Windows Media Player.
Press Archives:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999Links are press releases written by WMUL-FM and posted by the Marshall University Communications department, unless otherwise noted. Headlines and summaries on this page come directly from the Online Director.
Click on the headline to jump to the story you want to read.
WMUL receives eight Communicator Awards
WMUL goes six-for-six with Best of Show award
Under a new voice
WMUL receives three out of 12 possible first-place awards in Kansas City
Newscenter 88 broadcast named SPJ National Finalist
Third Annual Car Bash to feature more than a car
WMUL goes live on-air
Water leak damages MU radio station
WMUL named Outstanding News Operation by W.Va. Associated Press
WMUL brings 12 grand prize awards home from SoCal
WMUL receives eight Communicator Awards
Dec. 20 - Students from WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s public radio station, received eight awards in The Communicator Awards 2005 Audio Competition.
The winners were named Friday, Dec. 16 in Arlington, Texas. WMUL students won three Crystal Awards of Excellence, three Awards of Distinction and two honorable mention awards. This is the eighth year for this competition to include an audio component for judging.
The Communicator Awards come from a national awards organization that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field. Entries are judged by industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were 1,369 entries in The Communicator Awards 2005 Audio Competition.
The Communicator’s prestigious Crystal Award of Excellence is presented to those entrants whose ability to communicate makes them the best in their field. About 13 percent of the entries won this award. The Crystal Award of Excellence winners are listed on The Communicator’s Web site www.communicator-awards.com.
In addition to the Award of Excellence, The Communicator Awards 2005 Audio Competition also gives The Award of Distinction and Honorable Mention Awards. The Award of Distinction is awarded for projects that exceed industry standards in production or communication skills. Approximately 10 percent of the entries won this award. An Honorable Mention certificate was granted to those entries that meet the high standards of the industry.
Winners of The Communicator Awards come from radio stations, production facilities, advertising and public relations agencies, corporate communications departments, government entities, technicians, narrators, writers, and other professionals associated with the production of audio broadcasts and materials.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment to be recognized as having produced some of the best newscasts, sports programming, PSAs, promo productions and documentaries in the country,” Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said.
“I am proud of the honor these Awards of Excellence, Awards of Distinction and the honorable mentions awards bestow on WMUL-FM, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Marshall University. This success demonstrates to our student staff that dedication and hard work does pay off in the end.”
The Crystal Awards of Excellence winning entry by WMUL-FM were in the following categories:
Newscast
“The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” for Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004. The students who participated in the newscast were: Jen Smith, senior, Huntington (producer); Alex Reed, senior, Virginia Beach, Va. (news anchor); Melanie Chapman, senior, Stollings, W.Va. (news anchor); Jay Plyburn, junior, Huntington (weather anchor); Matt Bradberry, senior, Huntington (sports anchor); Vince Payne, graduate student, Hansford, W.Va. (reporter); Deven Swartz, freshman, Philippi, W.Va. (reporter); Jeremy Edwards, freshman, Scott Depot, W.Va. (reporter); Kristin Houghton, senior, Inwood, W.Va. (reporter); Troy Dunn, senior, St. Albans, W.Va. (reporter); Dave Wilson, junior, St. Mary’s, W.Va. (reporter).
Writing/Documentary Script
The script for the documentary program “To Change or Not to Change Gameday: The Pros and Cons of Weeknight College Football Games” was written by Clark Davis, a graduate student from Huntington. The script was completed Monday, May 9, 2005.
Documentary
“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.
The Awards of Distinction winning entries by WMUL-FM were in the following categories.
Writing/Documentary Script
The script for the documentary program “Take Charge” was written by Kelsey Austin, a recent graduate from Culloden, W.Va. The script was completed Monday, May 9, 2005.
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.
Public Service Announcement
“Listen to Your Car,” an in-house public service announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Public Service Announcement rotation from Wednesday, April 13, 2005 through the present time, written and produced by Brandon Millman, a junior from Huntington.
The honorable mention award winning entries by WMUL-FM were in the following categories.
Radio Station Promotion
“Live Deejays,” an in-house promotional announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Promotional Announcement rotation from Wednesday, April 13, 2005 through the present time, written and produced by Jen Smith, a senior from Huntington.
Sports Event
WMUL-FM’s live broadcast of the 2005 Capital Classic: Marshall University versus West Virginia University men’s basketball game played at Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, W.Va., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005. The students calling the game, which was broadcast over 88.1 in Huntington, were: basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Alex Reed, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va.; and engineer Scott Hall, a senior from Stephens City, Va.
WMUL goes six-for-six with Best of Show award
Nov. 21 - WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s public radio station, recently received the Broadcast Best of Show award for the sixth time in as many contests at the 84th annual National College Media Convention/2005 Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Annual College Competition ceremony.
The broadcast category was for radio only and was offered for only the sixth time in 2005 to recognize excellence among broadcasting attendees. Marshall has won Best of Show each of the six years the category has been offered.
The event took place Sunday, Oct. 30, in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. The Broadcast Best of Show award winning entry by WMUL-FM was a 30-minute newscast: “The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” for Monday, March 14, 2005. The students who participated in the newscast were:
Jen Smith, junior, Huntington, W.Va., producer; Vince Payne, graduate student, Hansford, W.Va., news anchor; Melanie Chapman, senior, McConnell, W.Va., news anchor; Brandon Millman, junior, Huntington, W.Va., weather anchor; Alex Reed, senior, Virginia Beach, Va., sports anchor; Dave Mistich, junior, Washington, W.Va., reporter; Joey Spurgeon, senior, Culloden, W.Va., reporter; Phil Turner, graduate student, Huntington, W.Va., reporter.
Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the campus radio station competed with other broadcasting stations from colleges and universities throughout the country whose staffs attended the convention.
The Best of Show competition is open only to publications and media outlets that send student delegates to the national convention. The competition is divided into eight newspaper categories, two yearbook categories, two magazine categories, and the one broadcast category. The entries were evaluated for general excellence, but emphasis was placed on reporting and leadership as expressed through content.
“This is an honor for WMUL-FM and all the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications students featured on the Best of Show entry,” Bailey said. “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.”
The second-place award for the 2005 Broadcast Best of Show was won by the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Under a new voice
from The Parthenon (no byline listed) Nov. 10 - Alex Reed, student station manager for WMUL, is the new voice of authority at the station this semester.
Reed, a journalism graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., is taking the reigns after Vince Payne, former student stat-
ion manager who vacated the position when he graduated in May. Payne was in the position for three years.
Payne said there are several things a station manager should know about the job.
"There are several things that are difficult about the position, because you have
to handle logistics, psycho analysis and the economics," he said. "You have to deal with over 120 volunteer staff each semester which can become a logistical nightmare, since all of their schedules are different, and they are also working for free, volunteering their time."
Payne left behind a legacy at the station. He made goals and achieved them.
"When I began as station manager, I set several goals: First, I wanted to give the students the chance to program the station with the formats of music they enjoyed the most," Payne said. "With the results of a year-long poll, we have our current musical format."
Payne said that a major part of making 88.1 FM work is the staff.
"Goal two was to set a recruiting record of students for a semester, which we did in my first semester, actually, with nearly 170 students signed up to volunteer," he said.
As station manager, Reed would like to see as many volunteers as possible take part in the station.
"We are a very involved radio station and need as many people as possible," Reed said. "This semester we actually had more deejays than shifts. I suppose that is a good problem to have."
The one thing which stands out about the station, however, is the list of awards the station has won. Payne took this into account when he set his agenda at the beginning of his tenure as station manager.
"My ultimate goal was to, as a station, win 60 awards in one academic year," Payne said. "It was a lofty goal, but by having a very talented and motivated staff, we were able to accomplish that goal as well."
Reed has taken Payne's goal and made it a mark to beat.
"Sixty awards was an amazing accomplishment, and I believe we had 50 last year, which is still a great number," Reed said. "I would like to beat that number of 60, and I believe we have the staff to do it."
This new leader wants to keep the station at the top of the industry.
"I want to make certain that WMUL maintains that status as one of the nation's best college radio stations and remain competitive in all of the contests that we have been so successful in over the years," Reed said. "I think the staff past and present has worked hard to make the station what it is today."
Reed enjoys knowing schools around the country respect WMUL.
"We have been to awards ceremonies where others who have won thanked us for not entering that category," Reed said. "Other times we have done so well people stop clapping for us, because we keep winning."
The only way the station can keep winning is because of hard work put in by the staff.
"We do have that reputation of being successful, and other college stations are gunning for us," Reed said. "We go up against their absolute best stuff which makes it tough. The thing we do well is that when we do win, we do not get too confident. We just keep doing what we have been doing, and it's worked well for us."
Reed wants to make sure new people get involved with the radio station and get excited about the opportunity.
"We just need to keep doing what we have been doing over the years, and that is work hard and enter various contests. However, each year we lose people to graduation and we need more people to step up and get involved. The tools are here for students to be successful. We just hope they get involved and want to compete on a national level."
The new manager's main goal is to keep 88.1 FM in the top standings as a college radio station and to find the means in which to do that.
"I want to make certain that the radio station maintains its reputation as one of the best college radio stations in the nation," Reed said. "I also would like to get more non-radio and non-(Electronic Media Management) majors to get involved here at the radio station. We have very few broadcast journalism majors here, which is amazing considering WMUL is the only year-round broadcast outlet on campus."
As for doing a complete overhaul of the radio station, Reed has no plans for that.
"To be quite honest, how do you change an already successful station?" Reed said. "I am not certain how or why anyone would want to do that!"
WMUL receives three out of 12 possible first-place awards in Kansas City
Nov. 3 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received three first-place awards and four finalist awards in the 84th annual National College Media Convention/2005 Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) National Student Radio Production Awards Ceremony. The event took place Friday, Oct. 28 in Kansas City, Mo.
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 students competed with broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Bailey said the contest is in its fourth year and is sponsored by the CBI, which administers it in cooperation with College Media Advisers Inc. (CMA), the nation’s oldest and largest college media organization.
“It is an honor to win three out of the 12 first-place awards granted by these prestigious organizations,” Bailey said. “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. This performance is further evidence of the quality of the work performed by our talented broadcasting students.”
Bailey said he is proud of the broadcasting students, whom he said continue to provide quality broadcast performances to Tri-State listeners and to be excellent representatives for the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Marshall University in competitions against nationally known colleges and universities.
The first-place award-winning entries were as follows:
Best Public Service Announcement
“Didn’t You See?” an in-house public service announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Public Service Announcement rotation from Wednesday, April 13, 2005 through the present time, written and produced by Jen Smith, a senior from Huntington.
Best Radio Sports Reporting
“Pruett Retires,” written and produced by Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va., broadcast during the sports segment of the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Wednesday, March 9, 2005.
Best Sports Play-By-Play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus The Ohio State University football game played at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004. The students calling the game over 88.1 were football play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., and engineer Brandon Millman, a junior from Huntington.
The finalist award-winning entries were:
Best Public Service Announcement
“Listen to Your Car,” an in-house public service announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Public Service Announcement rotation from Wednesday, April 13, 2005 through the present time, written and produced by Brandon Millman, a junior from Huntington.
Best News Reporting
“Appalachian Music,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.
Best Radio Sports Reporting
“MU Swimming and Diving Beats In-State Rival,” written and produced by Alex Reed, a graduate student from Virginia Beach, Va., broadcast during the sports segment of the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004.
Best Sports Play-By-Play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of Marshall University versus Bowling Green State University played at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. The students calling the basketball game broadcast over 88.1 were basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Robert Harper, a graduate student from Hurricane, W.Va.; statistician Clark Davis, a graduate student from Huntington, and engineer Jen Smith, a senior from Huntington.
Newscenter 88 broadcast named SPJ National Finalist
Oct. 21 - Students from WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s public radio station, won a national finalist award in the 2005 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Mark of Excellence Contest in the category Radio Daily Newscast for the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” broadcast March 31, 2004.
The finalist award was presented to the WMUL-FM news staff and news director Melanie Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., at the SPJ National Convention during the Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon that took place Oct. 17 in the Grand Ballroom of the Aladdin Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the students on the radio station’s news staff competed with other student newscasters from colleges and universities who previously had won first-place awards in the 12 SPJ regional competitions.
Two finalists and a national winner were selected from the 12 regional winners. WMUL-FM had won the first-place award for best newscast in Region 4, making it eligible for the national award.
“Our radio students have established a tradition at WMUL-FM of being able successfully to compete at the national, regional, or state level with other student-operated college radio stations,” Bailey said. “This time WMUL-FM student newscasters finished as one of the top three presenters of broadcast news in the country in direct competition against 12 other first-place regional award-winning news staffs. This solid performance in the respected SPJ Mark of Excellence Contest is evidence of the quality work performed by our talented broadcasting students at Marshall University.
The other finalist award winner was the FM 90.7 news staff of WFUV-FM at Fordham University. The national winner was the Evening Update news staff at California State University – Northridge.
“The winners of the SPJ Mark of Excellence awards represent the best in college journalism and certainly are the result of exceptional work on the part of those chosen for the awards,” said Jim Highland, SPJ vice president for campus chapter affairs. “These young people set the agenda of their college campuses, and they clearly demonstrate that college media are in excellent hands.”
For more information on the Mark of Excellence Awards or the Society of Professional Journalists, persons may contact Heather Porter at (317) 972-8000 ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org.
Third Annual Car Bash to feature more than a car
Oct. 11 - WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s student radio station, will get into the homecoming spirit Friday, Oct. 14 by adding something new to its 3rd annual Carbash, which takes place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Buskirk Field.
In addition to giving students and faculty the opportunity to smash a car in the colors of MU homecoming opponent University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) with a sledgehammer, the event also will feature a duck pond, a play-by-play booth and a football toss. Refreshments will be provided by Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs, and local bands Aristotle and the Excellent Lovers will play.
Prizes, such as university memorabilia, and free food will be given to people who play the duck pond and participate in the football toss. The cost to play is $1 for five tickets and $2 for 12 tickets. Participation in each event requires one to three tickets.
For more information, persons may call (304) 696-6640, or AJ Elmore at (304) 617-7350, P.R.Ninja@gmail.com.
WMUL goes live on-air
by Heather Berry of The Parthenon Sept. 27 - The first week of regularly scheduled broadcasting for WMUL has passed. The week went by with no major obstacles.
The first on-air shift experience with the station was enjoyable for graduate student Chris Anastasia.
"It's definitely an easy place to work for," Anastasia said. "It's obviously a station that wins a lot of awards, but at the same time, it just seems to be laid back and fun."
The Saturday 10 p.m. to midnight shift was his first experience working with the station, but not with radio.
"It's the first time I've worked for WMUL, but I worked in radio where I went to school as an undergrad," Anastasia said.
When asked why he wanted to be a part of WMUL, Anastasia said he likes music.
"I like music definitely," he said. "It sounds like a silly reason, I know, but I just like music. It's fun."
Not only is working for the station fun, but it also can be a good career booster, Alex Reed, student station manager, said.
"If someone is interested in pursuing a career in radio or TV broadcasting then it would be wise to get involved ASAP. WMUL-FM is the only broadcast outlet on campus that runs non-stop."
He agrees, though, that for some individuals, it is just a fun experience.
"There are people that just want to have fun here and play some music, or call some games and that is perfectly okay, because our station is a fun environment to be in."
The week went smoothly, with most of the DJs showing up for their assigned time slots.
"Everyone showed up for their shifts, and overall, everything went really well," Theresa Hoffman, music director, said.
Reed was pleased with the staff's effort during the first week of regular broadcast. "We have a very interested and motivated staff. All of them are willing to learn how to do things around the station."
The directors are pleased with the outcome of the first week.
"For having all the new people on the staff, it went really well," Hoffman said.
The effort put forth by those new to the radio station was appreciated as well.
"A lot of the new staff members came in to their shifts nervous and a little overwhelmed by the equipment, but after a few minutes they realized that it's not that difficult and they settled down," Reed said. "Things went very well, and they will only get better from here on out as people become more comfortable and settled in what they are doing."
For those still interested in becoming a part of WMUL, there is always a department to assist.
"WMUL-FM recruits 365 days a year," Reed said. "Anyone interested in the station can always get involved."
For more information, visit www.marshall.edu-/wmul, or call 696-2295.
Water leak damages MU radio station
by Heather Berry of The ParthenonSept. 2 - The recent rain has taken a toll on the WMUL-FM studios. The ceiling of the campus radio station has sprung a leak, with the beginning of the regular broadcast schedule around the corner, WMUL may be running short on operational space.
Water began coming into the area Friday, as Ryan Epling, a senior broadcast journalism student when working in the studio.
"The roof leaked, and it leaked onto the drop down ceiling tiles. In some areas we didn't even have tiles, just these openings and [the water] came through there," Alex Reed, student station manager, said.
WMUL's Operations Manager, Mike Stanley, was quick to remove some of the equipment from two of the station's studios to keep it from getting damaged.
"We think everything's fine, except we may have had pretty bad damage to one of the keyboards to one of the digicarts," Reed said.
The largest amount of damage is in Studio B, with slightly less damage in Studios A and C.
Aside from equipment damage, the largest problem now facing the station is the issue of space.
"In a couple of weeks, we're going to start our normal broadcasting schedule, and now we may be down two studios," Reed said.
If the rain continues and a larger leak is created in Studio A, broadcasting may become a difficult, if not impossible, task. Although unlikely, this could present problems for broadcasting the Marshall football game against William and Mary.
"We will be on air tomorrow as long as there are no leaks in Studio A," Reed said.
This is not the first time the radio station has found itself in this type of situation. The worst damage occurred in 1993, when flood damages totaled $33,769. The equipment for that flood was covered by insurance but the damaged furniture had to be paid for by WMUL. The station was short Studio B for an entire year following this incident.
Other incidents occurred in 1999 and again in 2001, resulting in a range of damage, including a $7,800 computer.
The water comes from condensation out of the air conditioner, which is located above the communications building, according to Vince Payne, former student station manager.
"It's a situation with the design of the building. The leaking has been a reccurring a problem that's been there for 12 years now and it's just something the students have to deal with," Payne stated.
"When it happens, it just tends to be a hindrance and a nuisance that has to be worked around," Payne said.
As for preventative measures, most of the equipment is out of the two studios and the rest is covered with plastic bags. The only measure that will keep the leaking from happening again may be to find a way to drain the condensation from the air conditioner somewhere else. Lucky for the station, the leak was caught early enough that most damage was avoided.
WMUL named Outstanding News Operation by W.Va. Associated Press
May 16 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received four first-place awards and five honorable mentions during the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association’s 2004 broadcast journalism awards ceremony April 23, 2005 at the Canaan Valley State Park in Davis, W.Va.
Dr. Chuck Bailey, professor of electronic media management in Marshall’s William Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the university competed with commercial and noncommercial radio stations from throughout the state.
“Winning four first-place awards is quite an accomplishment in itself, but one of the first-place awards being for Outstanding News Operation is a signature statement for a college radio station considering that the students are competing with broadcasting professionals across West Virginia,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the effort caps a successful year by the volunteer student staff of WMUL-FM in garnering recognition for Marshall from state, regional, and national broadcasting organizations that evaluate the work done at campus radio stations.
The student broadcasters have won 50 awards for the 2004-2005 academic year, including 28 first-place awards. That total is the second highest number of first-place awards since 1985-1986, the academic year Bailey became the faculty manager of WMUL-FM.
The highest number of first-place awards is 30, won in 2003-2004 when WMUL-FM student broadcasters won 60 awards in all. In the past two years, the student broadcasters have won 110 awards with 58 of the awards being (53 percent) for first place.
The four first-place individual award-winning entries in the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association’s 2004 broadcast journalism awards were as follows:
Outstanding News Operation
The Newscenter 88 Team; News directors were Kristin Houghton, a senior from Inwood, W.Va., for spring semester 2004 and Melanie P. Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., for fall semester 2004.
Judges’ comments: Really, really good news organization. Great production of news block; knowledge and implementation of the use of sound bites is perfect; content and writing is exceptional; anchor is, of course, young … but is headed in the right direction. Reporting is the way it should be. This station’s news department is impressive. Someone has taught this staff well.
Best Breaking News Coverage
“Dan Angel Retires,” written and produced by Melanie P. Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004.
Judges’ comments: Great use of sound; bites are the perfect length and content; writing is excellent; reporter needs to smooth out delivery a bit … but that will come with maturity. Great Job!
Best Documentary
“The Fight for Right: Same-Gender Marriage in America,” written and produced by Christina Riffle, a recent graduate from Dunbar, W.Va., broadcast during “Aircheck” Tuesday, May 4, 2004.
Judges’ comments: Good organization of the story with great use of sound; reporter needs work on smoothing out delivery … otherwise, nice job!
Best Sports Play-by-Play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the “2004 MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament First-Round Game: Marshall University versus Eastern Michigan University” played at Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, W.Va., Monday, March 8, 2004. The students calling the game were: basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student form Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Robert Harper, a graduate student from Hurricane, W.Va., and engineer Mike Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va.
Judges’ comments: Without a doubt, one of the best play-by-plays the judges have ever heard; GREAT pacing, EXCITING deliveries, FANTASTIC recall of stats … it put us in the game. PERFECT SCORE!
The five honorable mention award-winning entries were as follows:
Best News Reporter
“A Complication of Work,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a senior for McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” during 2004.
Best Feature
“Appalachian Music,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.
Best Interview
“The Tripton/Murphy Report,” with hosts of the program Richard Tripton, a senior from Ona, W.Va., and Seth Murphy, a junior from Flemington, W.Va., and producer Michael Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va., that was broadcast Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004.
Best Sportscaster
“A Complication of Work,” written and produced by Vince Payne, graduate student, from Hansford, W.Va., for the FM 88 Sports Team and broadcast during 2004.
Sports Play-by-Play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the 2004 Capital Classic: Marshall University versus West Virginia University men’s contest in the game played at Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, W. Va., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004. The students calling the game were Basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Travis Smith, a recent graduate from Charles Town, W.Va.; statistician Heather Berry, a sophomore from St. Albans, W.Va.; statistician Angela Bradley, a senior from Scott Depot, W.Va., and engineer Michael Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va.
The judges of the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association radio contest for 2004 were members of the Arkansas Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
Snyder goes on-air
by Brad Bader of The ParthenonApr. 20 - Even though Mark Snyder has been on the job for almost a week, the new coach will hit the airwaves on today as a guest on SportsView, a talk show on Marshall's radio station, WMUL-FM 88.1.
Brandon Millman, the show's producer, said he thought it would be almost impossible to get Snyder on the show so soon.
"I was expecting this to be a very difficult interview," he said. "I was genuinely surprised that Randy Burnside [Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations] said Mark is a very big supporter of student media and relatively easy to get on the show."
Snyder will be the only guest on the hour-long program.
The first part of the show will consist of the show's host, Dave Wilson, asking Snyder questions.
Most of the questions will pertain to this career, from playing for Marshall, then coaching at Youngstown State, where he coached against his old school.
Wilson will also talk to him about coaching in the Big Ten at The Ohio State University and winning a national championship.
They will then talk about his plans as far as changing around the strategies of the team and how he will evaluate players and set up a roster for this coming season.
The second half of the show will allow listeners of the show to call in and make comments and ask Snyder questions.
Through all of his time at WMUL, Wilson said this is the most exciting thing he has been a part of yet.
"This is a big opportunity for me," he said. "This is the biggest thing I've done since I've been at WMUL. It's big that I can get to interview the new head football coach at Marshall."
Millman said it is important having a coach who is willing to talk and is ready to get the football program back to better days.
"It's important he comes on because he's becoming a part of the Marshall family," he said. "We were hoping that we had a coach that would help student media. The fact that he is eager to come on the show just enhances the fact that he is dedicated to getting the program turned around."
Wilson said he shares the same view as Millman, that Snyder staying in contact with the student media could lead to big rewards.
"If we get good relations with him, he'll be more likely to come on a show such as Sportsview, grant us interviews," he said. "It's good that he wants to treat us like ESPN or CBS."
WMUL brings 12 grand prize awards home from SoCal
Mar. 18 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received 12 grand prize awards and three honorable mention awards during the National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) 14th Annual National Student Audio/Video Scriptwriting and 42nd Annual Audio/Video Production Awards Competition ceremony.
The event took place on Saturday, March 12 at the Hilton Universal City Hotel in Universal City, Calif. Marshall Interim President Michael J. Farrell, in California at the time visiting with prominent MU alumni and friends of the university, attended the ceremony.
“In a national competition among colleges and universities, your measure of success is if you win one award,” Farrell said. “In the case of the NBS/AERho awards, Marshall won first place in 12 of the 20 awards. The superiority of our program has now been validated by this national competition. Marshall University is extremely proud of its students and faculty.”
Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in Marshall’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States.
“It is quite an accomplishment to win 60 percent (12 of 20) of the grand prize total recognized in audio scriptwriting, audio production and overall Web site categories in the National Broadcasting Society’s competition in a single year,” Bailey said. “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.”
National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) has more than 1,500 student and professional members and has chapters on 86 college campuses. The National Broadcasting Society (NBS) was founded in 1943, and its mission is to enhance the development of college and university students in telecommunication, broadcasting, cable and other electronic media. Past and present members of the society number more than 35,000. Alpha Epsilon Rho is the national honorary society composed of members selected from National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Chapters.
The grand prize award winning entries in scriptwriting were as follows:
Audio Documentary Program Script
The script for the documentary program “The Fight for Right: Same-Gender Marriage in America” was written by Christina Riffle, a recent graduate from Dunbar, W.Va. The script was completed Tuesday, May 4, 2004.
Audio Instructional/Promotional Program Script
The script for the Instructional/Promotional program “Pass It On: Music of Appalachia” was written by Linda F. Smith, a recent graduate from Montgomery, W.Va. The script was completed Friday, Oct. 29, 2004.
Audio Comedy Program Script
The script from the comedy program “Roosevelt Bias in Double Trouble or Impostors Aplenty” was written by Huntington seniors Victor Imperi and Michael Valentine. The script was completed Friday, Dec. 10, 2004. The script is one episode in the series “The Adventures of Roosevelt Bias: Detective” created by Imperi and Valentine.
The grand prize award winning entries in production were as follows:
Audio News Package
“Dan Angel Retires,” written and produced by Melanie P. Chapman, a senior from McConnell, W.Va., broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004.
Audio News/Sports/Feature Segment
“Appalachian Music,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.
Audio News Program
“5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” edited by Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va. The students who participated in the newscast broadcast Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, were as follows:
Jen Smith, junior, Huntington, W.Va. (Producer)
Alex Reed, senior, Virginia Beach, Va. (News Anchor)
Melanie Chapman, senior, McConnell, W.Va. (News Anchor)
Jay Plyburn, junior, Huntington, W.Va., (Weather Anchor)
Matt Bradberry, senior, Huntington, W.Va. (Sports Anchor)
Deven Swartz, freshman, Philippi, W.Va. (Reporter)
Jeremy Edwards, freshman, Scott Depot, W.Va. (Reporter)
Kristin Houghton, senior, Inwood, W.Va. (Reporter)
Troy Dunn, senior, St. Albans, W.Va. (Reporter)
Dave Wilson, junior, St. Mary’s, W.Va. (Reporter)
Audio Documentary Program
“The Fight for Right: Same-Gender Marriage in America,” written and produced by Christina Riffle, broadcast during “Aircheck” Tuesday, May 4, 2004.
Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program
“The Tipton/Murphy Report,” with hosts of the program Richard Tipton, a senior from Ona, W.Va., and Seth Murphy, a junior from Flemington, W.Va., and producer Michael Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va., that was broadcast Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004.
Audio Sports Package
“Marshall University Swimming and Diving Defeats Rival,” written and produced by Alex Reed, broadcast during the sports segment of the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Monday, Oct. 25, 2004.
Audio Sports Program
“The MAC Report: Season Premiere,” anchored by Alex Reed, broadcast Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004. Other students who participated in the sports program were:
Heather Berry, sophomore, St. Albans, W.Va. (Reporter)
Angela Bradley, senior, Scott Depot, W.Va. (Reporter)
Melanie Chapman, senior, McConnell, W.Va. (Reporter)
Clark Davis, senior, Huntington, W.Va. (Reporter)
Bill Lusk, senior, Mallory, W.Va. (Reporter)
Brandon Millman, junior, Huntington, W.Va. (Reporter)
Vince Payne, graduate student, Hansford, W.Va. (Reporter)
Devin Perry, sophomore, Burke, Va. (Reporter)
Meagen Sellards, junior, Logan, W.Va. (Reporter)
Lenny Sundahl, junior, Fairmont, W.Va. (Reporter)
Dave Wilson, junior, St. Mary’s, W.Va. (Reporter)
Audio Sports Play-by Play Programming
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the “Jam the Cam IV,” Marshall University versus the University of Kentucky women’s basketball game played at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington Dec. 12, 2004. The students calling the MAC women’s basketball attendance record-setting game broadcast over 88.1 were:
Basketball play-by-play announcer – Vince Payne
Color commentator – Clark Davis
Statistician – Melanie Chapman
Audio Comedy Program or Segment
“EPT: Evil Perceiving Test,” an in-house comedy segment broadcast in WMUL-FM’s “Tuesday Morning Show on Wednesday,” Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004, written and produced by Victor Imperi and Michael Valentine.
The honorable mention awards in production went to the following:
Audio Sports Package
“West Virginia University Gets Sirius,” written and produced by Vince Payne, broadcast during the sports segment of the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Friday, Oct. 1, 2004.
Sports Play-by-Play
WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Capital Classic: Marshall University versus West Virginia University men’s contest in the game played at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, W.Va., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004. The students calling the game, which was broadcast over 88.1 in Huntington, were:
Basketball play-by-play announcer – Vince Payne
Color commentator – Travis Smith, a recent graduate from Charles Town
Statistician – Heather Berry
Statistician – Angela Bradley
Engineer – Michael Stanley
Audio Music / Variety / Special Program or Segment
“Word Up!” was an in-house musical segment broadcast in WMUL-FM’s “Tuesday Morning Show on Thursday,” Thursday, Feb. 18, 2004. It was written and produced by Victor Imperi and Michael Valentine.