According to Iowa State
University Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard, the 100,000-watt station will
help broaden the reach of ISU athletics and enhance the Cyclone Radio Network
significantly after the “Bus” takes over as the network’s preeminent
station.
“It’s time to get
on the bus and follow Cyclone Athletics,” Pollard said of the new partnership.
“When we entered into our multi-media agreements in February, we did so with the
expectation that we would deliver radio coverage of Cyclone sports to all
corners of our state.”
The signal strength of
KDRB is noteworthy and Pollard said that our staff will continue to work to fill
any remaining gaps in coverage in-state with local affiliates. The Cyclone Radio
Network currently has 33 stations in its family and those commitments are being
firmed up this spring.
“Making Iowa State sports available on the radio to
every household in the state is the fundamental goal to building our brand,”
Pollard said. “Never before has the radio coverage of Cyclone sports been so
comprehensive within the state borders, and we hope to capitalize on this
exciting opportunity to continue to build relations with current and future
fans.”
Joel McCrea, General
Manager of Clear Channel, said that the signal strength and positive brand
identity of the “Bus” creates a win-win situation for Iowa State.
“The bottom line is
that we’ve positioned Cyclone Athletics to receive significantly increased
coverage across the state of Iowa,” McCrea said. “Adding the Cyclones to
the programming menu of the ‘Bus’ elevates the station’s content and gives ISU a
powerful carrier.”
Pollard said that
providing game coverage of ISU sports was the top initiative in the new
multi-media arrangement and strengthening the state-wide reach of Cyclone
Athletics has been in the works since last fall.
“We absolutely need to
deliver game coverage to as large as of an audience as is possible,” Pollard
said. “When we secured our new multi-media rights deal, we did so with an eye
toward expanding the radio reach of ISU sports. The single-station strength of
100.3 FM takes us to a new level and creates a very strong foundation for our
network, which we will continue to supplement with local affiliates as
necessary.”
Pollard added that the
work of Clear Channel and McCrea was the impetus for the change.
“Cyclone fans across the
region should be very appreciative of the aggressive and effective work of Joel
(McCrea) and Clear Channel in dramatically improving our coverage zones in just
four months,” Pollard said. “It’s a remarkable transformation in a short period
of time, and Cyclone Nation will reap the benefits.”
Pollard also said that
the move of Steve Deace, former afternoon drive time sportstalk host on
KXNO-Radio, to WHO will be beneficial to Cyclone Athletics.
“Steve’s belief in our
program and passion for sports suggests that the Cyclones will receive frequent
mention on his new outlet at WHO, a 50,000-watt station that also encompasses
the whole state,” Pollard said. “I want to offer personal congratulations to
Steve for the opportunity he’s been given to broaden his career and thank him
for his consistent support of ISU.”
WOI sports anchor John
Walters and former Iowa State basketball player Eric Heft will
continue to handle the play-by-play and color commentator duties on the radio
network and Walters remains host on the call-in shows for football coach Dan McCarney and men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott, which will continue to be
aired on KXNO.
The Cyclone Radio Network
continues work on building a separate network to carry Iowa State women’s basketball. Rich Fellingham
and Ed Steyer will continue to describe the action for Cyclone women’s hoops.
Additionally, all radio broadcasts and coaches shows will be available on-line
at
www.cyclones.com beginning this fall.