ESPN Radio, 1430-WVAM to Serve as 2009 Altoona Curve Flagship Station
January 15, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA, Pa. - The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce a partnership with Forever Broadcasting of Altoona, as ESPN Radio 1430 (WVAM-AM) will serve as the Curve's 2009 flagship station.
The partnership puts the Curve back on a Forever Broadcasting station for the first time since 2004. During the team's inaugural six years (1999-2004), WFBG-AM, "The Big 1290" served as the flagship station.
"We're absolutely thrilled to once again be partnered with Forever Broadcasting," said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. "They really stepped up to the plate and showed an unbelievable commitment to wanting to be associated with the Altoona Curve again."
As part of the agreement, all Curve games will also be simulcast on WHUN-AM, 1150 out of Huntingdon, Pa., which provides the Curve with a strong presence east of the Altoona region.
"Having the Altoona Curve is a natural fit for Forever Broadcasting and really bolsters our already strong sports lineup on WVAM that already consists of Mike and Mike in the Morning, the Colin Cowherd Show and the Jim Rome Show," said Dave Davies, General Manager of Forever Broadcasting. "Forever Broadcasting and the Altoona Curve are two of the most recognized brands in Central Pennsylvania. Both are involved with our communities and have worked together on various projects."
The all-sports format on WVAM-AM, 1430 will give the Curve a great presence. Nearly all Curve weekday broadcasts will be preceded by "Sports Central," a local sports talk show, hosted by Curve beat writer Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror. Giger's new show is also simulcast on WMAJ-AM, 1450 in State College.
"Cory is the number one authority on Curve baseball, hands down" said Egan. "Fans have had the chance to read his award-winning work about our team in The Mirror for the last 11 years. The fact his show will lead into our broadcasts most nights will provide Curve fans with a great medium in which they can tune in to nearly every night during the season."
Before being named the fifth General Manager in Curve history, Egan himself hosted the drive time show on ESPN Radio 1430, at the time titled, "Front and Center" before taking his current post on December 5, 2008.
"Working at WVAM really gave me a great opportunity to take the pulse of the strong Curve fan base that listens to the station," said Egan. "It will be a great fit for our loyal fans."
Newcomer Ron Potesta will enjoy his first season on the air with Altoona after calling games for the last six years with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. Potesta will join Dan Zangrilli, who returns for his second season to describe the action to Curve fans on their new station.
Curve broadcasts will continue to provide fans with a comprehensive pre-game show for a full half-hour before the scheduled first pitch during home games. Air time on road games will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the actual contest.
The Altoona Curve will continue to be heard on a variety of additional radio station affiliates in other media markets in the surrounding Central and Western PA region. Those affiliates will be announced at a later time.
WVAM was the former home for Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Those wanting to listen to Pirates baseball can now tune in to WFBG-AM, 1290 to hear Pirates' broadcasts.
The first scheduled broadcast on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM-AM will be April 8 when the Curve take on the Erie SeaWolves (AA - Detroit Tigers) at Jerry Uht Park.
Eastern League Stories from January 15, 2009
- ESPN Radio, 1430-WVAM to Serve as 2009 Altoona Curve Flagship Station - Altoona Curve
- SeaWolves Looking for Summer Help - Erie SeaWolves
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
