Indiana University Athletics
IU Football Expands Radio Coverage
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Thanks to Indianapolis-based WXLW-AM (ESPN 950) and WIJY-FM 95.9, Indiana University football fans will have nearly eight hours of Hoosier football gameday coverage this season, IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan and IU Sports Properties General Manager Bob Agramonte announced today.
In addition to expanding the pregame and postgame shows, WIJY-FM 95.9 will simulcast the Sept. 2 Central Michigan and Sept. 17 Kentucky games, Agramonte said.
"WXLW came on board as a football network affiliate last year, and they do an exceptional job in their coverage," Agramonte said. "We certainly appreciate their efforts in expanding the coverage through simulcasts and the pregame and postgame shows."
As Indiana football ticket sales continue to increase, Greenspan feels that the expanded coverage will add to fans' anticipation.
"Coach (Terry) Hoeppner, his staff and the players have worked extremely hard during the offseason, and they have carried this effort over to preseason camp," Greenspan said. "Not only have they worked hard recruiting and on the practice field, but they have also made several public appearances throughout the state. As a result, the players and coaches have cultivated a tremendous buzz about our football program. We thank IU Sports Properties, WXLW and WIJY for their assistance in giving our fans the extensive coverage that the fans deserve."
Coverage commences three hours prior to kickoff of each game, as WXLW's Scott McCauley and former Hoosier quarterback Chris Dittoe will host Indy College Gameday from the Memorial Stadium concourse during home games and from the WXLW studio during road games. Indy College Gameday is a two-hour call-in show that will also include taped interviews with IU players and coaches.
McCauley is in his third year hosting Indy College Gameday for both football and basketball. Prior to his arrival at WXLW, McCauley spent two years as the radio play-by-play voice of the South Bend (Ind.) Silverhawks and one year as the voice of the Akron (Ohio) Aeros. Dittoe was a quarterback at IU from 1993-96, and he enters the 2005 season ranked ninth on the Hoosiers' career passing yardage list (3,240 yards).
Dittoe currently owns and operates Indianapolis-based Dittoe PR, specializing in national media coverage for its clients. In addition to his day job, Dittoe looks forward to contributing to IU football coverage.
"It's very exciting for me to be offered this opportunity by ESPN 950," Dittoe said. "I have been wanting to get more involved in the football program, and I feel that success and bowl games are on the horizon for this program."
Indy College Gameday will lead into the IU Football Radio Network's one-hour pregame show. Veteran broadcaster Joe Smith is in his 23rd season handling the Hoosiers' pregame, halftime and postgame shows, as he joins play-by-play voice Don Fischer and former IU assistant coach and first-year color analyst Pete Compise.
Following the game, Smith, Fischer and Compise will host a 20-minute postgame show that includes an interview with IU football coach Terry Hoeppner. This 20-minute segment preceeds the IU Football Call-In Show presented by Bloomfield State Bank, which will be handled by WXLW's Greg Rakestraw and former IU tight end and radio color analyst Dan Thompson. Rakestraw and Thompson will be live at Colorado Steakhouse in Bloomington after each game to recap the contest and take calls from Hoosier fans.
Rakestraw is in his fourth year at WXLW, where he hosts Sports Desk from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, he is in his fourth season as the play-by-play voice for IUPUI men's basketball.
Thompson, a standout tight end at IU from 1990-93, served as the color analyst for the IU Football Radio Network from 2002-04.
