WTSR joins the Trenton Thunder Radio Network

WTSR, TCNJ’s student-run radio station, is now airing all Thunder games for at least the next three seasons.

Words by Matt Huston '12

Thunder mascot Boomer and broadcasters Hank Fuerst and Jay Burnham with TCNJ’s mascot Roscoe.

With a handshake and a hug, Boomer the thunderbird and Roscoe the lion, the respective mascots of the Trenton Thunder and the College, made it official—WTSR, TCNJ’s student-run radio station, is now airing all Thunder games this year.

The agreement between the radio station and the Trenton Thunder, a minor-league baseball affiliate of the New York Yankees, made 91.3 FM the flagship signal of the Trenton Thunder Radio Network for at least the next three seasons. Will Smith ’96, now general manager of the Double-A baseball team, announced the partnership at a Feb. 23 press conference on campus.

Matt Golden, vice president for college relations and advancement and a former player for the Arkansas Travelers, welcomed the agreement: “It continues to enhance our relationship with the Thunder…and most importantly, it creates a real hands-on learning opportunity for our students.”

WTSR’s student staff is participating in the production of the broadcasts, which will run into September.

“The Thunder partnership is a unique opportunity for students to be involved in aspects of production work, giving students the chance to create ‘spots’ for WTSR to air before and during the Thunder games,” Melissa Virzi ’12, WTSR station manager, said. “All 142 broadcasts will be engineered by TCNJ students as well, which means they’ll be in the studio making sure the games go off without a hitch and working with the behind-the-scenes aspects of the games.”

Trenton Thunder broadcaster Jay Burnham said he hopes the partnership will continue after the initial three-year run. WTSR’s 1,500 watt radius covers much of Mercer, Bucks and Burlington counties, he said, “and that’s really kind of home base for us.”

Click here to read how Will Smith ’96 went from Trenton Thunder fan to the team’s general manager.