University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Athletics Has New Radio Home
 |  WRNX 100.9 FM in Holyoke will serve as the radio home of the UMass football, men's basketball and ice hockey teams this season. |
June 18, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts Interim Athletic Director Bill Strickland announced today that Holyoke's WRNX (100.9 FM) will be the flagship station of the UMass Sports Network during the 2002-03 academic year.
"We are grateful that Tom Davis and his staff at WRNX have stepped forward to help us during the upcoming year, and look forward to joining forces with them," Strickland said. "This move will give the UMass Sports Network its strongest signal coverage ever in the Pioneer Valley, which will allow us to better serve our alumni and supporters."
In this new partnership, WRNX 100.9 FM will originate all radio broadcasts of UMass football, basketball and hockey games, home and away, and the station will serve as the home of the weekly Steve Lappas, Mark Whipple and Don "Toot" Cahoon radio shows. Both parties will share in expenses, revenues and decisions during the one-year agreement.
"WRNX has always been a big fan and supporter of UMass Athletics, and with the work these three coaches have done to build for the future, we are excited to get in on the ground floor for what will be many exciting seasons to come," said WRNX President Tom Davis. "We look forward to bringing the games to UMass fans in all corners of Western Massachusetts."
A statewide network of affiliates is being built, and will be announced later this summer. The "Voice of the Minutemen" Bob Behler will continue to call football and men's basketball play-by-play and host Lappas' and Whipple's weekly programs in this new partnership, while WRNX's Donnie Moorhouse will call the hockey games and host the Cahoon show. In addition to being able to catch the games on WRNX 100.9 FM and a statewide network of affiliates, fans will also be able to pick up the games on the world wide web at www.umassathletics.com.
While play-by-play assignments have been determined, no decision has been made with regard to the broadcasts' color commentators for the upcoming season.
WRNX replaces Northampton's WHMP, which had held the exclusive rights to UMass radio broadcasts of football, men's basketball and ice hockey the past two years, and had been associated with the University for more than 30 years. WHMP ended its relationship with the University last March.
Network sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Behler at (413) 545-9672.