WAKI to air MTSU football
McMinnville’s home for classic oldies will become the newest home of Blue Raider football on Saturdays this fall.
WAKI 1230-AM has joined the Blue Raider Network, and will be bringing MTSU football to the airwaves beginning with the team’s season-opening game at Alabama Aug. 31.
“It’s an expanding football program,” said Chuck Haston, general manager of Clear Channel McMinnville. “They’re playing big-name teams, and we have a lot of MTSU supporters in this community.
“This is certainly a first here in Warren County. MTSU football, as far as I know, has never been broadcast here, and we’re looking forward to working with them as they expand and grow.”
In addition to the game broadcasts, which will include 30-minute pregame and postgame shows, WAKI will be airing the Andy McCollum show on Thursday nights during the season, allowing Blue Raider fans to get the head coach’s take on the previous week’s action as well as a look ahead to Middle’s upcoming contests. The station also plans ticket giveaways and other promotions as the 2002 season nears.
Haston said MTSU officials were enthusiastic about extending their Network to the Warren County area.
“They were excited to be able to expand their network, and they’re pleased they’re going to be heard in McMinnville,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation, really.”
Adding MTSU football expands an already large base of sports programming that can be heard on local stations. WKZP 107.3-FM has been a member of the Vol Network for several years, and will be broadcasting UT football again this season.
Pro football fans can catch the Tennessee Titans on WTRZ 103.9-FM each week, and in addition to MTSU football WAKI is the home of Warren County Pioneer football, basketball, soccer and baseball.
“We think that we have sports covered in Middle Tennessee,” Haston said. “Adding MTSU to our stable of Titans, Vols and Pioneers seems to be a good fit for us and our listeners.”
WAKI, WKZP and WTRZ, as well as WBMC 960-AM, operate as Clear Channel of McMinnville, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications.