WAER (88.3 FM) is a radio station in Syracuse, New York. It is located on the campus of Syracuse University, and is a part of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.[3] The station features a jazz music and National Public Radio format, with a news, Syracuse Orange play-by-play, and music staff providing programming around the clock.
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Broadcast area | Central New York |
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Frequency | 88.3 MHz (HD Radio) |
Branding | WAER 88.3 FM |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Jazz/News/Sports |
Subchannels | HD2: Jazz 88 HD3: Alt 88 |
Affiliations | NPR |
Ownership | |
Owner | Syracuse University[1] |
WERW WJPZ-FM | |
History | |
First air date | April 1, 1947 |
Call sign meaning | W Alpha Epsilon Rho (informally, Always Excellent Radio) |
Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 64354 |
Class | B |
ERP | 50,000 watts |
HAAT | 84 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°02′02″N 76°07′52″W / 43.0339°N 76.1311°W |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Webcast | Listen Live Listen live (via TuneIn) |
Website | waer |
It is best known for its sports staff, which has produced the likes of Bob Costas, Mike Tirico, and many others. Lou Reed also hosted a free-format show on WAER during his time at Syracuse University; this free-format radio tradition at Syracuse is carried on by WERW. Other alums include Ted Koppel, Jerry Stiller and Dick Clark. The station is managed by full-time professional staff and employs as many as 50 students each semester.[4][5][6]
History
editRadio programming began on the university campus as early as 1931,[7] the year when AM station WSYR-WMAC in Syracuse built its new transmitter site on the university campus. This station employed the WMAC call sign only when it carried Syracuse University programming originating from Crouse College.[8][9] In late 1933 the call sign was changed to WSYR-WSYU, with WSYU, being used when broadcasting the university programs.[10][11] In 1940, the use of dual call letters was ended, and this station became just WSYR.
On April 1, 1947, an experimental low-powered educational FM station began broadcast at 88.1 MHz as WJIV-FM, primarily as a practical workshop for SU radio students,[12][13] becoming first class D educational station in the nation.[11] After three months, a license renewal from the FCC allowed the students to change the call sign letters to WAER (W Alpha Epsilon Rho), referring to the radio honorary society).[14][15][16] The call sign was also interpreted as Always Excellent Radio.[17] The studios, financial supported by General Electric, were located at Radio House, a set of prefabricated houses near the steps to Mount Olympus, immediately south of Carnegie Library.[14] GE provided the setup, valued at 150,000 in 1948,[18] and asked Syracuse university to experiment with this type of transmitter, in hopes of pioneering educational broadcasting by using the low-powered FM transmitters.[8][19]
The enterprise was overseen by the dean of Radio department Kenneth G. Bartlett and professor Lawrence Myers Jr. served as the faculty manager.[12] Student staff was soon appointed to create schedule of broadcast.[18][20] The broadcasts included classical music, sports, news, religious programs from the Hendricks Chapel, immediate university news, student activities, as well as official university events. The station operated from 4 pm to 10 pm to avoid lecture hours.[20][21][22][23]
When it began in 1947, WAER was authorized radiated power of only 2.5 Watt, but in 1951 FCC granted an increase in power to 1000 watts.[8] The station began broadcasting seven hours a day, seven days a week, and became Syracuse University's permanent radio station.[20][24][25] By 1984, The station ran at 6,000-watt power.[17] The station had moved to the then newly-built Newhouse II building by the seventies.[11]
Up until 1983, WAER was student-run, but in a controversial decision in 1983, SU took over WAER and hired full-time professionals to run operations and train students.[7]
In 2017, a full length documentary titled "The Miracle Microphone: The Impossible History and History Makers of WAER Radio" chronicled the 70-year history of WAER.[14] The documentary was researched and produced by Scott MacFarlane and Keith Kobland and won New York state AP Press Association award in 2019.[19][26][27]
Formerly a component of the auxiliary services department, the station became part of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in July 2021.[16] The station continues to be housed at Haft Hall, 795 Ostrom Ave, where it has been located since 2003.[11]
Programming
editThe station programming includes jazz music,[28][29] NPR programming, news,[30] Syracuse Orange play-by-play,[31] and special reporting projects.[32][33]
Sports
editThe WAER sports staff is made up entirely of students,[34] who report on home and away games.[35] It provides daily sports updates as well as play-by-play for Syracuse University football, men's basketball, and men's lacrosse. A pregame show begins 30 minutes before each broadcast (Countdown to Kickoff, Tipoff, or Faceoff) with a halftime segment (Orange at the Half) and a postgame wrap-up (Orange Overtime). The Double Overtime, a full-length postgame talk show, airs after every football, basketball, and lacrosse game. Sports Nite airs weekly on Friday nights.[36]
Music
editThe music department is organized by Eric Cohen, multiple-time winner of National Jazz Programmer of the Year.[28][29] Larry Hoyt is the longtime voice of Common Threads on WAER. Cora Thomas is the office supervisor and runs gospel music programming, as she maintains a Sunday morning show on WAER airing from 6-8AM.
Partnership with WERW
editSince February 2010, WAER has partnered with Syracuse University's WERW 1570. WERW is a student-run, free-format station, which returned to the air in 2017 after six years of only being available through iTunes radio.[37] The partnership has resulted in a weekly, 3-hour show, called Real College Radio on WAER, which is hosted by alternating reps of a select cohort of WERW DJs. The genre is adult album alternative (AAA), and each DJ brings their own new flavor to the WAER offerings.
Alumni
edit- Marv Albert, "the voice of basketball", the voice of the New York Knicks (1967–2004), WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)[38][39]
- Jason Benetti, television play-by-play announcer for Chicago White Sox baseball
- Len Berman, eight-time, Emmy Award-winning Sports-Anchor for WNBC-TV in New York City, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)[40]
- Carter Blackburn, football sportscaster for CBS Sports
- Kevin Brown, play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles and ESPN
- Joe Castiglione, radio play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox
- Andrew Catalon, announcer for NFL on CBS, PGA Tour on CBS, College Basketball on CBS, and NCAA March Madness.[41]
- Dick Clark, radio and television personality[42][43]
- Bob Costas, prime-time host of 11 Olympic Games from 1992 until 2016 for NBC Sports, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2015)[44][45][46]
- Ian Eagle, play-by-play announcer for the Brooklyn Nets on the YES network, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2013)[47][48]
- Noah Eagle, play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports
- Steve Gelbs, reporter for SNY
- Hank Greenwald, play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee
- Scott Hanson, host of NFL RedZone and reporter for NFL Network
- Brian Higgins, radio and television sportscaster working for the SU athletic department, the Syracuse IMG sports network and Time Warner Cable sports
- Todd Kalas, television play-by-play announcer for Houston Astros baseball
- Steve Kroft, journalist & long-time correspondent for 60 Minutes, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)[40][49]
- Ted Koppel, anchor for Nightline (1980–2005)[50] first inductee of the WAER Hall of Fame (2012)[51]
- Ed Levine of Galaxy Media Company, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)[39]
- Sean McDonough, sportscaster currently employed by ESPN and Boston Red Sox Radio Network, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)[52]
- Beth Mowins, play-by-play announcer and sports journalist for ESPN and CBS
- Andy Musser, play-by-play announcer for Philadelphia Phillies baseball from 1976-2001,[53] WAER Hall of Fame Inductee
- Dave O'Brien, lead play-by-play announcer on the New England Sports Network (NESN)
- Greg Papa, radio play-by-play announcer for many Oakland & San Francisco pro-teams[17][54]
- Dave Pasch, radio play-by-play voice of the Arizona Cardinals and ESPN announcer[41]
- Cory Provus, radio voice of the Minnesota Twins[55]
- Lou Reed, musician, singer, songwriter[56]
- Bill Roth, play-by-play voice of Virginia Tech Hokies football and men's basketball (1988–2015), WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)[52]
- Adam Schein, radio host on Sirius XM since 2004[46]
- Andrew Siciliano, sports television anchor, reporter and radio broadcaster
- Lakshmi Singh, national midday newscaster for NPR, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee
- Bill Spaulding, play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils
- Jerry Stiller, comedian, actor, and author known for his roles in Seinfeld and King of Queens
- Dick Stockton, play-by-play announcer for NFL on Fox Sports[57][41]
- Mike Tirico, voice of ESPN's Monday Night Football from 2006 to 2015, WAER Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)[58][59][60]
- Nick Wright, sports talk personality for Fox Sports 1
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "FM Broadcast Station License Facility ID: 64354" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WAER". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "About Us". www.waer.org. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ Korey, Eileen (January 15, 2019). "Engaging the Public Media Audience, Serving the Community While Preparing Students for Careers in News and Sports Journalism". SU News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Razo, Eduwardo (February 23, 2022). "Bolt, Craig Appointed to GM Roles at The Newhouse School". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Student Opportunities (PDF) (Media notes). WAER 88.3 FM. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "WAER Collection An inventory of the collection at the Syracuse University Archives". library.syr.edu. SU Libraries. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c "WAER Officially Increases to 1,000 Watts Today & 400 TIMES STRONGER" (PDF). The Daily Orange. April 10, 1951. pp. 1, 6, 559, 562, 564. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Hill Singers Radio Concert by "Air Caster"" (PDF). Syracuse Journal. April 28, 1932. p. 12. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ "Additions, Changes and Deletions to List". Radio Service Bulletin: 2. December 1, 1933.
- ^ a b c d Fybush, Scott (September 26, 2008). "A selection from a decade of visits to tower and studio sites in the Northeast and beyond: WAER, Syracuse, NY". Northeast Radio Watch. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ a b "Syracuse's Infant FM Radio Industry Rapidly Growing into Lusty Giant". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. December 7, 1947. p. 69. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Serving as a practical workshop for Syracuse university radio students, FM Station WAER is a non-commercial station located on the campus of Syracuse university and is managed by Larry Myers. Broadcasting on an assigned frequency of 88.1. mc, WAER has a power output of two and a half watts, which not only covers the campus, but a radius of about three miles.
- ^ Boccacino, John (August 29, 2023). "Charles Reichblum '48: Original Voice of the Orange and Co-Founder of WAER". Syracuse University News. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
The five students who helped launch WAER-FM radio on April 1, 1947: Charles Reichblum, John Kurtz, Jerry Adler Ehrla Niman Lapinsky, and James Cohan.
- ^ a b c Speach, Amy (Fall 2017). "The WAER Connection" (PDF). Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 34, no. 3. Syracuse University. pp. 46–47. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "It began in 1932 for TV-Radio at SU". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. May 31, 1974. p. 6. Retrieved November 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
The following year [after 1946], the campus radio station, WAER, was founded
- ^ a b Loughlin, Wendy S. (January 25, 2021). "WAER Will Transition to the Newhouse School This Summer". SU News. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c Taaffe, William (March 12, 1984). "The voices from Syracuse". Sports Illustrated. p. 65. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Shogan, Robert (March 4, 1949). "A Secret Station Comes Out of Hiding" (PDF). The Daily Orange. pp. 2, 547. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Scott MacFarlane and Keith Kobland (2017). The Miracle Microphone (video). Syracuse University. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c Phillips, Richard L.; Wright, Donald G. (2005). Hendricks Chapel: Seventy-five Years of Service to Syracuse University. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. pp. 202–203. ISBN 9780815608271. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Radio Station Offering Good Music Listed". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. April 9, 1955. p. 4. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
The exception, of course, is our own Syracuse University FM station. WAER. at 88.1 on the dial. They give us much of the music of the great masters...
- ^ "Selection of 'Sauciest' Co-ed Settles SU Saucer Question". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. July 12, 1947. p. 2. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Sponsored by WAER this two hour program...
- ^ "400 SU Graduates will Get Degrees at the Chapel Today". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. September 6, 1947. p. 6. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Dr. O'Geran stated Ceremonies will be broadcast over the campus experimental FM station WAER.
- ^ Bolton, Janet (February 1951). "News and notes". Quarterly Journal of Speech. 37 (1): 144. doi:10.1080/00335635109381630. ISSN 0033-5630. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Threads: WAER in Syracuse". Oocities. June 2001. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Niles, Lydia (March 4, 2018). "Syracuse University alum produces documentary on 70-year history of WAER". The Daily Orange. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "NYSAPA broadcast, newspaper award winners announced". AP NEWS. June 2, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Baker, Chris (June 18, 2014). "Changes coming at WAER: More news, less jazz". The Post-Standard. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ a b Kobland, Keith (June 18, 2014). "WAER Changes Format to News All Day, Jazz All Night". SU News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Intaglietta, Mary Kate (November 18, 2020). "Student Reporters Played Critical Role in WAER 88.3 FM's Election Coverage". SU News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "WAER News, Sports & Online Efforts Draw 10 Syracuse Press Awards". SU News. May 9, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "WAER 88.3 FM Launches 'City Limits: Winds of Change'". SU News. October 23, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ "About". City Limits. WAER. September 23, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Intaglietta, Mary Kate (January 26, 2021). "WAER 88.3 FM Welcomes New Sports Director". SU News. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
As sports director, May will be responsible for leading a team of students in the tradition of providing high-quality sports broadcasts and coverage to...
- ^ Horvath, Jennifer (April 7, 2021). "Alumni Provide Support to WAER Students at the NCAA Tournament". SU News. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Macri, Josh (November 9, 2008). "Double Overtime Recap - Rutgers 35 Syracuse 17". The Post-Standard. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (February 10, 2017). "Syracuse radio station returning to airwaves for first time in 6 years". The Post-Standard. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (September 13, 2017). "Marv Albert returns to Syracuse for WAER Hall of Fame, new radio doc". The Post-Standard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Ed Levine, Marv Albert Among New WAER Hall of Famers". Insideradio.com. September 14, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Bush, Greta (September 27, 2018). "WAER Inducts Len Berman '68, G'70 and Steve Kroft '71 into Hall of Fame". SU News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c Stockton, Dick (March 28, 2019). "What is the Greatest Enemy for a Sports Broadcaster?". Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Niedt, Bob (April 19, 2012). "Dick Clark, who died Wednesday, had solid connections to SU, Central New York radio and television". The Post-Standard. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ Tobin, Dave (June 5, 2013). "Newhouse School to name new studio after America's DJ, Dick Clark". The Post-Standard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Bob Costas '74 to Be Enshrined in WAER Hall of Fame". SU News. September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Syracuse Radio Station WAER To Induct NBC's Bob Costas Into HOF". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. September 21, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Keeler, Ricky (October 8, 2021). "Bob Costas: I Am Not As Good As I Used To Be". Barrett Sports Media.
- ^ "Ian Eagle Inducted into WAER Hall of Fame". American Sportscasters Association. August 19, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ Masur, Andy. "Anatomy of a Broadcaster: Ian Eagle". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ "'60 Minutes' journalist speaks at SU graduation". The Ithaca Journal. AP. May 13, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved January 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Syracuse University to receive Ted Koppel Collection". SU News. June 10, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (May 25, 2012). "Syracuse University alumnus Ted Koppel is WAER Hall of Fame's first inductee". The Post-Standard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Lee, Joe (August 26, 2014). "McDonough '84 Roth '87 Newest Hall of Fame Inductees". www.waer.org. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Andrew Musser - Obituary". www.legacy.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Greg Papa Is Still Trying To Impress His Big Brother". Barrett Sports Media. June 8, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Masur, Andy (September 19, 2019). "Ron Santo Prepared Cory Provus For Bob Uecker". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Segelbaum, Dylan; van Rheenan, Erik (November 4, 2013). "Excursions on a Wobbly Rail: Alumna remembers Lou Reed's time at WAER". The Daily Orange. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Kobland, Keith (October 21, 2016). "Dick Stockton '60 Recognizes WAER and Newhouse School During NFL Broadcast". SU News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Kobland, Keith (February 24, 2014). "Mike Tirico '88 Enshrined on WAER-FM Wall of Fame". SU News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Joe (March 3, 2014). "Mike Tirico WAER Hall of Fame Induction". www.waer.org. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "ESPN's Mike Tirico to be inducted into Syracuse University's WAER Radio Hall of Fame". ESPN Front Row. February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 64354 (WAER) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WAER in Nielsen Audio's FM station database