This month we are delighted to feature UTA Radio as our College Radio Station of the Month! Located at the heart of the University of Texas at Arlington, UTA Radio is a student-powered station dedicated to giving aspiring broadcasters, journalists, and content creators real-world experience behind the microphone. Showcasing an eclectic mix of music, sports, news, and original programming, the station serves both the campus and the wider Arlington community while providing students with the freedom to develop their own voices and creative ideas.
Lance Liguez, Faculty Advisor at UTA Radio, tells us more…
Tell us a brief history of your radio station:
Never had a AM/FM signal, started broadcasts across a cable channel until streaming became viable in late 2000. We now broadcast a mix of indie rock, sports, and student entertainment 24/7.
What is the MISSION of your station?
Our mission is to provide students with a platform to practice and refine their broadcast and production skills.
Who’s your most famous alumni who got their start as a student DJ or station member?
Candice Lopez who ended up at Radio Disney DJ in LA, and was often seen in promos on Disney Channel. She’s now part of the morning show on Mix 102.9 in Dallas.
What’s one tradition or event that makes your station unique?
Rocktober, which is an annual concert series featuring local artists that starts with College Radio Day and continues each week through the month.
What’s the one piece of equipment or OBJECT/ITEM in your station that everyone loves—or refuses to throw away?
Does a promo count? We still dust off a 16-year old promo every once in a while that features students having no clue who we are. The tag is ‘UTA Radio. Yeah, we exist’!
What three artists best represent your radio station?
Silversun Pickups, Sonic Youth, Sarah Jaffe.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about your station?
We sometimes have to broadcast softball games from the roof of the press box because there’s no room.
Who’s the biggest artist, celebrity, or notable guest you’ve ever welcomed into your studio?
Fitz and the Tantrums. They were touring with Maroon 5 and came through UTA. Maroon 5 refused an interview but Fitz and the Tantrums were up for it. Their liner is still played to this day!
What’s one thing every college radio station DJ/broadcaster should experience at least once?
Dead air and panic.
What’s the craziest, funniest, or most unforgettable thing that’s ever happened live on-air?
Our sports staff would challenge each other to work in a phrase during a live game call. During a women’s basketball game, one student commented how one player was being patient with her play. The other student says, ‘Yes, she has the patience of a hippopotamus.’
Finally, how do you feel about the future of college radio?
Optimistic, especially with streaming being a fraction of the cost of an FM. And as we’ve seen with stations like WCSB, communities will rally to support and save them.
Thanks to Lance Liguez for this interview!
For more information about UTA Radio, please visit:
www.utaradio.com
@UTARadio (X)
@utaradio (IG)
Photos used by permission from UTA Radio and Lance Liguez. The photo of Candice Lopez is her official Instagram profile photo.