Canton's WBYS-AM joins the Redbird Radio Network

[AUG. 19, 2004]  NORMAL -- With the recent signing of a one-year contract with WBYS-AM in Canton, the Illinois State Redbird Radio Network will be heard in the Peoria metro area during the 2004 Redbird football season for the first time in nearly four years.

The WPW Broadcasting station at 1560-AM will carry seven broadcasts of the 11-game schedule this season. Contract negotiations are also ongoing regarding the men's basketball broadcasts for the 2004-05 campaign.

"We are excited about having Illinois State broadcasts back in the Peoria market, and we are looking forward to a long relationship with WBYS," interim director of athletics Linda Herman said. "WBYS and WPW Broadcasting is a great addition to the Redbird Radio Network, and we hope to expand on this partnership year after year."

WBYS will kick off its Redbird coverage with the Sept. 11 game at Minnesota. The station will also provide extensive coverage of the senior season of Canton native and Illinois State all-American Boomer Grigsby.

"We're excited to have a local university on board as well as bringing Boomer's final season at Illinois State back to his hometown in Canton," said David Klockenga, the regional vice-president of WPW Broadcasting.

Other affiliates of the Redbird Radio Network are flagship station WJBC-AM 1230 in Bloomington, WBIG-AM 1280 in Aurora, WDID-AM 1510 in Highland, WJEZ-FM 98.9 in Dwight, WZOE-AM 1490 in Princeton and WFMB-AM 1450 in Springfield (for men's basketball).

[Todd Kober,
assistant athletics director, media relations,
Illinois State University]

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