Broadcast Students benefit from KLPR

The spring of 2019, Austin Jacobsen and Evan Jones, won at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System College Media Awards. Winning has impacted the campus radio station KLPR 91.1 FM and the sports broadcasting program at UNK by validating the program.

Anticipation for KLPR’s next move in the broadcasting has caught student’s eye.

“Our students and the kids in this program get so much out of it,” said Jacobsen, a senior sports broadcasting major and current KLPR Sports Director “We have continually created more opportunities for our students.”

While broadcasting may excite him, Jacobsen still has concerns about the program’s future.

“We don’t have the best of the best equipment,” said Jacobsen “We can’t accept sponsorships due to our radio being a non-profit.”

Quality of equipment within a non-profit doesn’t stop students from joining KLPR. Students are stepping over each other to call games or have a featured program on KLPR Sports.

Student scheduled shows include: “Loper Update,” “Locker Room Talk,” “UNK Gameday,” “The Blue and Gold Standard,” “In the Slot,” and continues. Students in this program get so much out of it and continually creates more opportunities for students who are interested in broadcasting at UNK.

Change has made its way into the KLPR doors.

Ashlee Glaser, a senior Advertising and Public Relations major and former participant in a KLPR student show, expressed her gratitude toward the KLPR sports broadcasting program.

“I think that KLPR is an amazing resource for students to apply what they’ve learned in a professional atmosphere. Most jobs, even though they are entry level, require a year or more of broadcasting experience and KLPR is exactly that. KLPR is a professional program and is mostly run by students doing what they love.”

While broadcast students benefit from KLPR, other students gain experience in different roles.

Glaser was approached this semester by general manager and senior lecturer, Ford Clark, to be the videographer for the Coaches Show which was just created this semester. ‘I know literally nothing about sports so it goes to show that you can do so many things and learn so much about a variety of topics” said Glaser. “Plus, I have that content for my portfolio now.”

The highlight of the KLPR program builds relationships between student and faculty.

“Easily working with Ford and new students makes the sports broadcasting program so much more unique than any other program.” Jacobsen said. “Every program has great faculty here at UNK, but the way that Ford builds relationships and gives each student a hands-on experience to learn on the fly is awesome. Make mistakes, listen to your mistakes, and see where you can improve without a boss breathing down your neck.”

Broadcasting students give advice for other students who are potentially interested in KLPR.

“Prepare, prepare, prepare. There are thousands of students on this campus that love sports and could talk sports with you. So, what makes a radio person different from them?” said Jacobsen. “Preparation and knowing what information are pertinent in a conversation. Giving your audience that extra bit of information, in any way and in any program live or recorded, makes you sound more professional and like you actually care about the athletes and teams you’re speaking on.”

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