Western Courier

Issue date: 3/6/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Martyn Davis Paul Hasselberg (left) junior and Eddie Kijowski (right) sophomore broadcasting majors, work at Western's radio station 88.3 The Dog.

As we all know, Macomb does not necessarily get the variety of radio stations most Western students are used to. Western Illinois University's radio station, 88.3 The Dog, has been providing Western students with an outlet of music, sports and news for many years. The Dog, a commercial-free, 24-hour station is student run and allows junior or senior broadcasting students to learn through work experiences for titles, such as program director, music director, promotions director and sports director.

According to The Dog's Web site, www.wiu.edu/thedog, the genres of music played are divided into alternative and urban. The Web site adds their alternative music department carries more DJs than any other station on the face of the earth.

The urban division plays a wide variety of artists and even hosts events to promote music within Western's students, such as "Braggin' Rites," a freestyle rap show. The next "Braggin' Rites" will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 in the Heritage Room in the University Union.

Another popular program on The Dog is '90s at noon, which is a show of popular 1990s music, such as Bush, Weezer and Barenaked Ladies, played Monday through Friday at noon.

In a recent interview, Roger Sadler, The Dog faculty adviser, said students do not need to worry about Western's college station turning into a "Hit Mix." The show appeals to college students and music that they generally request.

The station also has taken upon covering the Westerwinds basketball games live on game days.

"We are very excited about women's basketball having an exclusive home in WIUS," said Western Illinois Director of Athletics Tim Van Alstine. "With WJEQ handling both the men's and the women's games last year, we managed through a huge juggling act. There were so many conflicts with travel issues, starting times and staffing issues that we felt our women's team deserved their own station," Van Alstine added.

The Dog also has helped many Western students gain experience with working in a studio. Josh Kutilek, senior broadcasting major, explains how there are specific classes students can take whether for DJing or for a radio show, so they can work at the station. Kutilek has office hours at the station and said it is good preparation and hard work for the staff because it is run entirely by students.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools