Wdz-am decatur

Wdz-am decatur, The Illinois State Athletic Department announced this week that an agreement has been reached with WDZ-AM 1050 in Decatur to carry Redbird football and basketball. “The Fan” will be one of four radio networks carrying ISU programming this fall and winter. The ISU faithful can also catch the action on WJBC 1230 (Bloomington), WJEZ 98.9 (Dwight) and 1450 (Springfield).

Dubious by their absence are any call numbers followed by the city of Chicago. Do not get me wrong; the addition of WDZ-AM can only help this under-exposed product. In fact, it is my hope the next Tarise Bryson listens to a few broadcasts and decides to make Redbird Arena his future home.

Yet, we live in a day-and-age where the likes of those that are not on twitter or blogging are seen as unconnected and outdated dinosaurs. Is it then too much too ask for ISU to have a presence on an FM or AM dial in the third largest media market in the US? Answer that rhetorical question yourself.

To be fair, the Athletic Department’s press release claimed negotiations with other stations are ongoing. I just hope they do not get tossed into the same bin as the updated drawings of our new and improved football stadium.

We hear all the time about the University’s close proximity to Chicago being a huge advantage over many other colleges and universities. If true, the Athletic Department needs to put their money where their mouth is and expand the role of Illinois State athletics in this marketplace. Maybe then the added support from past alumni in the area who have lost touch with Illinois State will make the delayed drawings of a new and improved stadium a reality.