WCUR
Encyclopedia
91.7 WCUR FM The Curve, also known as West Chester University Radio, is a college radio station that broadcasts in the Philadelphia area via a transmitter
that covers a 5-mile radius around West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania
. WCUR offers a wide variety of music, news, sports, and specialty programming. WCUR is considered a free format station, and it does not require that DJs play within certain parameters. All undergraduate students of West Chester University are free to participate and become DJs. WCUR began as WSCS AM 64, a carrier current station only available on campus. In the mid 1980s the station changed its call letters to WCUR AM 68, but it remained a carrier current station. In 1998, the station received a construction permit to build an FM station, and after installing a broadcast transmitter and antenna atop Sykes Student Union in the summer of 1999, the station signed on as WCUR 91.7 FM on September 1, 1999. Since 2001, WCUR also streams live on air from anywhere in the world from its website, www.wcur.org.
and a fine after Jackass
star Bam Margera
appeared on Foundation Radio on March 31, 2011. For the next 48 hours, the two programs and their co-hosts took verbal shots at each other on-air and on their respective Facebook fan pages. Toal Time was publicly supported by the Preston and Steve Girls from 93.3 WMMR and 102.9 WMGK personality Debbi Calton, while Foundation Radio was publicly supported by Margera and his co-star Brandon Novak
, two featured guests on their program.
72 hours after it began, Toal Time, despite being slightly ahead in polls and still doubling Foundation Radio's Facebook likes, surrendered and Foundation Radio was victorious. They joined forces during the April 6 broadcast of Toal Time and have redubbed themselves collectively as "The Toal Foundation", and began feuding with their new "target", Turbo Sexcopter, hosted by Pete Crain.
's appearance on Foundation Radio in March 2011, the appearance of celebrity guests became a commonplace. In October 2011, WCUR had an influx of celebrity guest appearances on its airwaves. These celebrity interviews quickly garnered the attention of other colleges and the campus in general. An article was published in Chester County's Daily Local News promoting and congratulating the DJs on the station's interviews. Matt Toal, host of Toal Time, interviewed Grammy-award winning recording artist Herb Alpert
, while Adam Barnard and Greg Mead, hosts of Foundation Radio, interviewed Shady Records
recording artist Yelawolf
. Both interviews took place on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm, respectively. "Brotherly Love Sports Talk", an all sports themed broadcast hosted by Doug Brice, Sean Bobbie and Kenny Ayres, interviewed Philadelphia Eagles
announcer Merrill Reese
, and "The John and Jake Show", hosted by John Connor and Jake Summers, interviewed indie rock band Polar Bear Club
. Other celebrity guest interviews included Nickelodeon
star Drake Bell
and electronica band Starfucker
.
Transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications a transmitter or radio transmitter is an electronic device which, with the aid of an antenna, produces radio waves. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating...
that covers a 5-mile radius around West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
. WCUR offers a wide variety of music, news, sports, and specialty programming. WCUR is considered a free format station, and it does not require that DJs play within certain parameters. All undergraduate students of West Chester University are free to participate and become DJs. WCUR began as WSCS AM 64, a carrier current station only available on campus. In the mid 1980s the station changed its call letters to WCUR AM 68, but it remained a carrier current station. In 1998, the station received a construction permit to build an FM station, and after installing a broadcast transmitter and antenna atop Sykes Student Union in the summer of 1999, the station signed on as WCUR 91.7 FM on September 1, 1999. Since 2001, WCUR also streams live on air from anywhere in the world from its website, www.wcur.org.
Executive staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| General Manager | Matt Toal |
| Programming Director | Adam Barnard |
| Business Director | Daniel Colon |
| Secretary | Dillon Sweigart |
| Music Director | David Hogg |
| Training Director | Emily Girondo |
| Events & Promotions Director | Justin Sochovka |
| Production Director | Michael Berry |
| Sports Director | Douglas Brice |
| Web Director | Mike Mills |
Foundation Radio vs. Toal Time [2011]
In the spring of 2011, two of WCUR's highest rated programs, Foundation Radio, hosted by Adam Barnard, Greg Mead, and Sam Krepps, and Toal Time, hosted by Matt Toal, were involved in an on-air "feud" for 72 hours. The feud was said to have originated when Toal pulled an April Fools' joke on Barnard involving the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
and a fine after Jackass
Jackass
A jackass is a male donkey.Jackass may also refer to:In entertainment:* Jackass ** Jackass: The Movie, 2002** Jackass Number Two, 2006 film** Jackass 2.5, a DVD release** Jackass: The Game, a video game...
star Bam Margera
Bam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
appeared on Foundation Radio on March 31, 2011. For the next 48 hours, the two programs and their co-hosts took verbal shots at each other on-air and on their respective Facebook fan pages. Toal Time was publicly supported by the Preston and Steve Girls from 93.3 WMMR and 102.9 WMGK personality Debbi Calton, while Foundation Radio was publicly supported by Margera and his co-star Brandon Novak
Brandon Novak
Brandon Novak is a professional skateboarder, actor, stuntman, and friend of Bam Margera and is a prominent member of the CKY Crew...
, two featured guests on their program.
72 hours after it began, Toal Time, despite being slightly ahead in polls and still doubling Foundation Radio's Facebook likes, surrendered and Foundation Radio was victorious. They joined forces during the April 6 broadcast of Toal Time and have redubbed themselves collectively as "The Toal Foundation", and began feuding with their new "target", Turbo Sexcopter, hosted by Pete Crain.
Celebrity interviews (2011)
WCUR has had a wide variety of celebrity interviews under its belt, which is not typical for a college radio station. After Bam MargeraBam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
's appearance on Foundation Radio in March 2011, the appearance of celebrity guests became a commonplace. In October 2011, WCUR had an influx of celebrity guest appearances on its airwaves. These celebrity interviews quickly garnered the attention of other colleges and the campus in general. An article was published in Chester County's Daily Local News promoting and congratulating the DJs on the station's interviews. Matt Toal, host of Toal Time, interviewed Grammy-award winning recording artist Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
, while Adam Barnard and Greg Mead, hosts of Foundation Radio, interviewed Shady Records
Shady Records
Shady Records is an American record label specializing in hip hop music. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg founded the label in 1999 after the release of The Slim Shady LP.Since the formation, the label has signed nine acts...
recording artist Yelawolf
Yelawolf
Michael Wayne Atha , better known by his stage name YelaWolf, is an American rapper. He is currently signed to Shady Records, Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment and Interscope Records...
. Both interviews took place on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm, respectively. "Brotherly Love Sports Talk", an all sports themed broadcast hosted by Doug Brice, Sean Bobbie and Kenny Ayres, interviewed Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
announcer Merrill Reese
Merrill Reese
Merrill Alan Reese is an American sports radio announcer best known for his role as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP-FM. He has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977.-Early years:...
, and "The John and Jake Show", hosted by John Connor and Jake Summers, interviewed indie rock band Polar Bear Club
Polar Bear Club
Polar Bear Club is an American post-hardcore/indie rock band from Rochester and Syracuse, upstate New York. Formed in 2005, the band currently consists of vocalist Jimmy Stadt, lead guitarist Chris Browne, rhythm guitarist Nate Morris, bass guitarist Erik Michael "Goose" Henning and drummer Tyler...
. Other celebrity guest interviews included Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is a US cable TV channel.Nickelodeon may also refer to:-In television:*Spinoffs of the Nickelodeon channel:** Nickelodeon Magazine, a children's magazine.** Nickelodeon Universe, an amusement park....
star Drake Bell
Drake Bell
Jared Drake Bell , better known as Drake Bell, is an American actor, comedian, guitarist, singer/songwriter, producer, and occasional television director. After beginning his career as a child star in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he appeared on The Amanda Show and became well-known among young...
and electronica band Starfucker
Starfucker
Starfucker is an electronica band from Portland, Oregon formed in 2007, initially started as a solo project for Joshua Hodges.Members include Joshua Hodges , Shawn Glassford , and Keil Corcoran...
.