Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU Inks Deal with James Crystal WJNA 640 AM
7/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
July 17, 2006
Florida Atlantic University's Athletics Department signed an agreement with James Crystal Radio to carry Owls' sports on WJNA 640-AM, announced Dexter LaMont, FAU's Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Licensing, Monday.
"James Crystal and Florida Atlantic began a partnership in 1996," said LaMont. "It is a perfect relationship for both parties; one that allows James Crystal to give back to the community and one that allows our fans from Miami to Port-St. Lucie to follow their hometown team."
The three-year deal will place all Owl football games on WJNA 640 AM. WJNA has a signal that reaches three counties; Miami-Dade (North), Palm Beach and Martin (South). Its signal is second only to 850 AM and the AM Oldies format is the former no. 1 Florida Marlins affiliate and current affiliate of Florida State. The station is also a very active station in the area of promotions. This year alone, 640 had given away a Hyundai Sonata, tickets to many of the area's hottest events and more than $4,000 in cash.
It marks a return of sorts to WJNA after a five year stint on WLVJ 1040 AM, also a James Crystal station.
While WJNA will serve as the flagship station, FAU has also once again teamed with WPSL/WSTU to carry the football games even further north. WPSL is one of the newest stations on the Treasure Coast. Just 21 years old, it is a top-rated news/talk station in the Vero/Fort Pierce market and has been for more than a decade. WPSL covers Okeechobee, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin County. PSL has carried FAU, FSU and Notre Dame in the past as well as blanket coverage of high school sports. More recently the station has added soccer in Spanish during the World Cup. The station had been progressive in programming in English, Spanish and Creole.
This year's slate is expected to feature Dave LaMont providing play-by-play, Steve Walsh color and ESPN's 760 AM Evan Cohen providing both sideline and play-by-play.
Cohen will make the transition from football to basketball where he will serve his second season as the voice of the FAU men's basketball team. Roundball games will also be carried on WJNA and will feature a full men's basketball schedule and the squads first year in the Sun Belt Conference and under the direction of Head Coach Rex Walters.
All broadcasted games as well as all women's basketball games will also be carried on Florida Atlantic's official website at www.fausports.com.
