I’m taking a pivot in this article away from any specific NEO sport. Here in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio, I live on the eastside sandwiched between three academic institutions, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, Notre Dame College. What is the best part of living in any college town, in my honest yet humble opinion, is the radio station. You thought I was going to say something nerdier, but no friends it’s the music. Nothing inspires passion greater than music, hence the term “hype song”. Ask any athlete and I bet you dollars to donut they will share their hype song with you. Even I have one or two at the gym when I need a few more minutes to accomplish a goal.
John Carroll Radio!
My time at CWRU was strictly business, and by business I mean all science. I never got into their radio station as hard as I tried. I didn’t enjoy their programming. My headphones only played my homemade “Jam Lists”. Then I discovered John Carroll University’s radio station.
Now comes the fan girling that you are so used to reading from me. Let me tell you about John Carroll’s radio station, WJCU. And please download their app so you can listen to it anywhere and everywhere. No, I am not paid by WJCU to share this information, I am sharing this information with you for the love of music. Their radio is run 100% voluntarily (as all college stations are) by hosts with huge personalities, and students with sparkling radio production talent. The station covers not only the school’s sporting events but has an extremely eclectic show collection such as, Jumpin Joe’s Basement Show, Metal on Metal, Jewish Radio, and Soul Elixir for a small example.
Sherry and Joe Madigan
Radiothon
Every year the station holds a radiothon where passionate listeners have the chance to pledge money to keep the station going. This year they offered a tour of the station, with a meet and greet party. I saw the studio where they did all of their sports broadcasting! I also got to meet my favorite DJ. Was I starstruck? Yes, I was starstruck so hard I didn’t even know how to introduce myself to my favorite DJ, Jumpin’ Joe Madigan, whose show plays “60’s Lost, Forgotten, and Classics”. In his perfect 60s style DJ voice Jumpin Joe, shares preposterous amounts of facts about records from the 50s,60s, and rarely 70s we all know and love. I introduced myself sheepishly, after a moment or two we exchanged pleasantries about a couple of my favorite records, and had the honor of receiving my official “Basement Dweller Membership Card”.
This is the happy part of my tale. Enjoy the schools around you. Enjoy the music, enjoy the sports while they are being played. The second part of this story has a melancholy ending. Here begins the story of my ears leading me to what sounded like a celebration at Notre Dame college.
To find Joe and his show:
- Website: basementradioshow.com
- Instagram: @wjcubasement
- Facebook: facebook.com/wjcubasement
High School
Men for Others – Remembering Nick Restifo
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