Feb. 19, 2014. For the 15th consecutive year, Appalachian State University athletics and WKBC-FM 97.3 (North Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Hickory, Statesville, High Country) have reached an agreement for WKBC-FM to serve as the flagship station of the Appalachian IMG Sports Network in 2014-15. Appalachian State University associate athletics director David Jackson announced on Tuesday.
With the announcement, Appalachian State athletics will maintain its strong radio presence throughout the region, as WKBC’s 100,000-watt FM signal reaches much of western North Carolina and stretches into parts of five states in all (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia).
“WKBC-FM 97.3 continues to be the rock of our radio network,” Jackson said. “(WKBC general manager) Bob Brown has always been eager to help us maximize the vast footprint of his station for the promotion of Appalachian State athletics and the University as a whole, as WKBC-FM’s 100,000-watt signal takes our message into some of the most important population centers within our fan base. Additionally, the staff at WKBC not only provides an excellent avenue for gameday programming but they support our need to distributes specialty programs that help us strengthen the Appalachian brand even further in these key areas.”
As it has for the past decade-and-a-half, WKBC will carry all Appalachian State football and men’s basketball game broadcasts as well as Appalachian’s weekly Mountaineer Talk coaches’ call-in show and other specialty programming.
As part of the agreement, WKBC will continue to be heavily involved in Appalachian State athletics promotions throughout western North Carolina, including remote broadcasts and ticket giveaways to Mountaineer football and men’s basketball games.
“WKBC has been a big part of the growth of Appalachian State athletics over the previous 14 years,” Appalachian State director of athletics Charlie Cobb said. “We’re excited that WKBC will continue to be a valued partner as we move to the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA Division I FBS.”
Agreements with additional IMG Sports Network 2014-15 affiliates throughout the region are expected to be finalized in the near future.