WRUF

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WRUF is the callsign for both the AM and FM radio stations that operate from the University of Florida's main campus in Gainesville. WRUF-AM is a news/talk/sports station; WRUF-FM is a rock station. Unlike its Public sister stations, WUFT-TV and -FM, WRUF-AM and FM are commercial stations and, despite being state-run, are run no differently than privately-owned commercial stations. Additionally, both stations carry broadcasts of University of Florida Gator sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, etc.

WRUF-AM 850, like other talk radio stations, feature a mixture of local and syndicated programs, including Jim Bohannon, Dr. Joy Browne and Sporting News Radio, plus religious programming on Sunday mornings, including Bill Gaither, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and local church services. Network news are provided by Associated Press and CBS Radio.

WRUF-FM 103.7 (Rock 104) is an Active Rock station, playing classic artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC, as well as modern rock artists such as Metallica, Staind, Nickelback, and Pearl Jam. The station's programming features local deejays and programs such as The 90s at Noon, All Request Free For All, Locals Only and Mandatory Metallica, plus syndicated fare like Lex and Terry and Dee Snider's House of Hair.

A WRUF microphone used by sportscaster Walter Lanier "Red" Barber during the 1930's is part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's collection. It has been displayed in the museum's "Scribes and Mikemen" exhibit, and from 2002-2006 it will tour as part of the "Baseball as America" traveling exhibition.

[edit] Point of Interest

Former WRUF-FM afternoon drive disc-jockey and music director Rich Fields (a graduate of the University of Florida) is now CBS' top gameshow announcer. In addition to working for years on The Price is Right with Bob Barker, Fields is also the announcer for the series Gameshow Marathon. Rich Fields is also a recipient of the Red Barber Award for Broadcasting Excellence. [1]
Conservative talk radio host Andrew Wilkow, currently of WABC in New York City and WGY in Schenectady, New York (and future of Sirius Satellite Radio), is also an alum of the station having spent the latter half of his college years at the University of Florida. Unlike his current calling, his work was solely as a disk jockey at WRUF-FM.

[edit] See also

WUFT -- University of Florida's public radio and TV stations

[edit] External links

Radio stations in the Gainesville / Ocala market (Arbitron #83)

By frequency: (FM) 89.1 | 90.5 | 91.7 | 92.5 | 93.7 | 95.7 | 97.3 | 98.5 | 99.5 | 100.5 | 100.7 | 100.9 | 102.3 | 103.7 | 104.7 | 104.9 | 105.3 | 106.9 | 107.7

(AM) 690 | 850 | 980 | 1230 | 1390 | 1430