KUBQ / KLBM Named Official Broadcasters for EOU Athletics
Rob Cashell
LA GRANDE, Ore. -- The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department announced a partnership with local company Pacific Empire Radio Corporation for the rights to broadcast Mountaineer men's and women's basketball beginning this year and football beginning with the 2009 season. The agreement is for the next three years with options to continue for two additional years.
"We are very excited about Pacific Empire coming on as our official sports broadcasters for Mountaineer basketball and football," stated Rob Cashell, Director of Athletics. "They put together an outstanding proposal that will no doubt continue to enhance the exposure that our programs bring to the University and our region".
Men's and women's basketball games will be carried live on KLBM (1450 AM) in La Grande and simulcast on KBKR (1490 AM) in Baker City. All road games will also be carried, and webcasts for each contest will be available. Both teams qualified for the NAIA national tournament last year and made the "Sweet Sixteen."
Mountaineer football will be carried on KUBQ (98.7 FM) and simulcast in Baker City on 95.3 The Boomer, KKBC. All home and away games will be broadcast with web streaming available. Football competes in the Frontier Conference which has been touted as the toughest NAIA football conference in the country.
Pacific Empire General Manager Michael Schutta said, "We're looking forward to a long relationship as the flagship stations for Eastern Oregon University athletics. Mountaineer sports are a big part of the community and we're excited about this opportunity".
In addition to the game broadcasts, head coaches Tim Camp, Ryan Looney and Anji Weissenfluh will have weekly radio shows. Exact details of the show formats are still to be worked out. "The shows will provide another great avenue for our programs and student-athletes' accomplishments to be highlighted," added Cashell.
Pacific Empire Radio Corporation operates five stations out of La Grande and is the area's largest broadcaster. Pacific Empire also boasts the only live and local morning radio programs in La Grande. KLBM (1450 AM) is the oldest continuously operated station in Eastern Oregon, signing on the air in 1938. The formats are news/talk for KLBM and classic rock for KUBQ FM.