KSUA


KSUA is a student-run college radio station licensed to Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. Broadcasting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus with 3,000 watts effective radiated power it serves the Alaska Interior area. When first on the air in 1984, it was one of a few commercially licensed college stations. Reorganized in 1993, KSUA now operates under the FCC non-commercial educational license public radio rules. KSUA has won statewide and national broadcasting awards.

Prehistory of KSUA

KSUA-FM did not go on the air until the mid-1980s, but the station's roots stretch back for two decades before that, to the first UAF radio station, KUAC-FM. KUAC, the Fairbanks North Star Borough's public radio station, went on the air October 1, 1962, operating out of the Constitution Hall studios KSUA now occupies. KUAC was the first public radio station in Alaska, and also the first FM station serving the Interior. It would blaze the trail for other stations to come. In 1971, KUAC moved its radio and new TV broadcasting facilities into the lower level of the UAF Fine Arts Building.
KUAC was joined a decade later by carrier current outlet KMPS, the precursor to KSUA. Established by the UAF student government, KMPS went on air March 24, 1971. It was a "Progressive rock" campus radio station. The existing AC electoral wiring in the dorms and other campus buildings were used as a broadcast antenna; only AM radios near the buildings could receive its signal.
KMPS quickly tired of its limited listener base. In the mid-1970s, the push to become a licensed on-air broadcaster began. For that, a new call sign would be needed. Unlicensed carrier current stations have no claim on or requirement for a call sign, and in 1978, the FCC assigned the KMPS-FM call sign to a station based in Seattle, Washington.

Commercial years

On September 6, 1984, KSUA-FM came on the air at the frequency of 103.9 MHz, operating under a commercial broadcast license from the FCC. Both KMPS and KSUA took in advertising revenue. The licensee was called Student Media, Inc.. That nonprofit corporation had been formed to operate the station.
Playing what is referred to in the radio industry as the "album-oriented rock" or AOR format, KSUA-FM began as one of the few commercial college stations in the country, as are WHUR-FM at Howard University and WPGU at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The early KSUA operated with relative autonomy, with few direct ties to the university, as a culture had existed since the 1940s at UAF of providing student services independent of the university.
KSUA "Rock for the Great Land" quickly became the most popular station in the Greater Fairbanks area, with a format of playing a wide range of music that included Classic Rock, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Industrial, traditional Chicago and Delta Blues, Grunge and a host of Independent recording acts. The format and content of each show was left largely up to the DJ of that show. The station served as a launching pad for 'Glenner and Jerry', popular local announcers who enlivened the morning show format in Fairbanks. They would leave the station in 1987 for KWLF in Fairbanks. In 2013 they still worked in local radio but at different stations. D.J. Jamie Canfield, went on to work for several independent record labels including Rounder Records, Rykodisc and Righteous Babe Records, voice work for several Rockstar Games, including Grand Theft Auto Vice City, and in 2011, he was Program Director at KSKI-FM in Hailey, Idaho.
KSUA's fortunes began to decline in the late 1980s. In 1987, commercial contemporary hit radio station KWLF began broadcasting; it then hired away Anderson and Evans. With new competition and decline of the Alaskan economy during the same period, KSUA's stability as a commercial radio entity diminished. As Fairbanks's radio market expanded with more new stations in the early 1990s, acute financial troubles began to plague KSUA. The station's advertising revenues steadily declined amidst an increasingly competitive broadcasting landscape. KSUA was eventually unable to meet its payroll demands to both management and on-air staff. The formerly-paid DJs were asked to volunteer, but in protest, one of them filed a wage claim with the Department of Labor, and KSUA was forced to give out almost $45,000 in unpaid wages. Out of money, KSUA went dark March 8, 1993.

Transformation, transition, and growth

The station stayed off the air until the end of 1993. During its downtime, SMI was dissolved, and the license for KSUA was transferred to the UA Board of Regents, to be held in trust for the students of UAF. In September the Associated Students University of Alaska Fairbanks bill, called "Governance Agreement For The KSUA Media Board", was passed. It recreated KSUA as a public radio station, under the authority of the new KSUA Media Board. The station's chief engineer brought the system up to FCC standards. A new antenna was purchased, placed on the Moore Residence Hall on the Upper Campus. When KSUA came back on the air, it had new equipment and new management. The new KSUA came back on the air December 2, 1993, playing the same song the station had shut down with: Pearl Jam's "Alive."
Until 1982—just years before KSUA went on air—the portion of the FM band below 100 MHz, including the typical noncommercial educational reserved band of 88–92 MHz, was reserved in Alaska for telecommunications purposes. As a result, KUAC, as well as other public radio stations in Alaska such as KSKA, operated on licenses that, if sold, could be converted to commercial operation. With KSUA now operating as a public radio station, Borealis Broadcasting, a local media company wanted its frequency for a new commercial station. Borealis purchased the defunct KUWL, a Christian radio station that had operated at 91.5 FM from 1985 to 1993, and swapped it to the university for the 103.9 frequency, which could be operated commercially. In exchange, the university received a new antenna and transmitter system valued at $26,000, as well as $10,000 in additional payments—all extremely valuable in the face of budget cuts. As a result, in April 1996, KSUA moved to 91.5 FM, and Borealis started a new commercial station, also named KUWL, at 103.9 with the former KSUA license.

Sports

KSUA provides live play-by-play coverage of University of Alaska Nanooks hockey. Veteran broadcaster Bruce Cech is the play-by-play announcer for all Nanook hockey games. KSUA streams all games live on their website, ksua.org. KSUA is the only radio station to provide Nanook hockey game coverage as no commercial radio station throughout the Fairbanks radio market airs their games.

General Managers

There can be anywhere from 30 to 100 volunteers at one time, normally managed by 6-9 paid student staff members. These positions are normally kept for a year or two and are reviewed annually by the General Manager. The General Manager in turn is reviewed by the Media Board. The Media Board is a small board of volunteer UAF students and UAF staff who oversee the monthly operations of the station and the General Manager. They also approve the annual budget and assist in helping the General Manager make large decisions.

Awards

As of Fall 2019, KSUA has won over 100 statewide broadcasting awards. In 2012 it was among the top 10 college stations nationwide competing for the MTV college radio woodie award. The next year KSUA won the College Radio Woodie Award.
Alaska Broadcasters Association Awards
YearCategoryNameCreator
2001Radio, Website, Student divisionwww.uaf.edu/ksuaBrandon Seifert, Dustin Rice
2001Radio Commercial, Series, Student DivisionKSUA Job OpportunitiesBrad Weber, Jon Johnson
2001Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student DivisionDead SessionsChannon Price
2001Radio, Web Site, Student Divisionwww.uaf.edu/ksuaBrandon Seifert, Dustin Rice
2001Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student DivisionGood Karma TattoosBrad Weber
2001Radio, Best Spots Never Aired, Student DivisionPunk Show AdBrad Weber
2001Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionMaieutic Radio Featuring Heln CaldicottRamey Wood
2001Radio, Sports News Story, Single Entry, Student DivisionThe Russ Kelly Show, Sports Extra EditionRuss Kelly
2001Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student DivisionAlaska Independence PartyH.B. Telling
2001Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionKSUA WatchTy Keltner
2002Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionKSUA T-ShirtTy Keltner, Trademark Printing
2002Radio, Best Spot that Never Aired, Student DivisionRock Til Your Heart BleedsMark Fortunato, Don Bradshaw
2002Radio, Web Site, Student Divisionwww.uaf.edu/ksuaDustin Rice
2002Radio, Promotional Announcement, Series, Student DivisionGadjits PromotionMatthew Little, Morgan Dufseth
2002Radio, Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student DivisionTrademarkAllen Childs
2002Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student DivisionFruit at the FairSusan Steinnerd, Ty Keltner
2002Radio, Best Comedy Feature, Student DivisionLive from GuelphRamey Wood, Jenn Neslund
2002Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionDerrick Jensen InterviewRamey Wood
2002Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF vs. Ohio StateBruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2003Radio, Web Site, Student DivisionKSUA WebsiteCurt Merrill
2003Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionThe People's Radio StickerCurt Merrill
2003Radio, Best Spot that Never AiredGovernor's PicnicIsaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2003Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student DivisionJah is My Co-PilotChip Brookes
2003Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student DivisionFantasylandIsaac Paris, Ginny Tschanz
2003Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF Nanooks vs. UAA SeawolvesBruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2003Radio, Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student DivisionLysistrataIsaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2003Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionHoward Zinn InterviewColin McClung
2003Radio, Best Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student DivisionAlaskan Independent's PartyH.B. Telling
2003Radio, Promotional Announcement Series, Student DivisionComplete DiscographyIsaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2004Radio, Service to Community, Single Entry, Student DivisionVoting PSAIsaac Paris
2004Radio, Website, Student Divisionwww.ksua.netCurt Merrill, H.B. Telling, Channon Price
2004Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF vs. Notre DameBruce Cech
2004Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionKSUA Bumper StickerCurt Merrill
2004Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionSugar in the RawKendra Calhoun, Jody Hassel
2004Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student DivisionJah is My Co-PilotChip Brookes
2004Radio, Public Service Announcement, Single Entry, Student DivisionLiteracy Council of AlaskaIsaac Paris, Rachel Garcia
2004Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Single Entry, Student DivisionAlaska Independence PartyNick Brewer, Elizabeth Smith
2004Radio, Best Spot that never aired, Student DivisionRadiohead I.D.Chip Brookes, Isaac Paris, Shaleesha Ferrari, H.B. Telling
2004Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student DivisionGeneral Manager VacancyIsaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2005TV, Comedy Feature, Student DivisionStar Trek, Sol Searching II, Lords of TimeStar Trek Club of Fairbanks
2005TV, Entertainment Program, Single Entry, Student DivisionSTVShaleesha Ferrari, Dan Urquhart
2005TV, Newscast, Student DivisionUAF Weekly NewsDani Carlson, Kelsa Shilanski, Mike Lord
2005Radio, Comedy Feature, Student DivisionFidel Castro Shops at Safeway Punk'dChip Brooks, Big Liza, Sally 3000, Ice Cold
2005Radio, Radio News Program, Student DivisionJRN 215 Final ProjectBrian Woster, Dani Carlson, Kelsa Shilanski
2005Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF vs. Notre DameBruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2005Radio, Best On-Air Personality, Student DivisionDr. Nick and Mr. SmartNick Brewer, H.B. Telling
2005Radio, Best Radio Show, Student DivisionKSUA Talk ShowNick Brewer, H.B. Telling
2005Radio, Promotional Announcements Series, Student DivisionAngry Young and Poor 2005Isaac Paris, Craig Brookes
2005Radio, Best Spot that never aired, Student DivisionDJ Salt vs. DJ PepperAndrew Paris, Isaac Paris
2005Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionKSUA Robot's Radio T-ShirtNick Sorum, Nick Brewer
2005TV, News Story, Student DivisionStryker BrigadeDani Carlson
2005TV, Public Service Announcement, Student DivisionReal TVDan Urquhart
2005TV, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF vs. Nebraska OmahaBruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2006Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student DivisionRadio Production Students Gone WildJamie Horath, Iris Fabrizio, Mark Pavitt
2006Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionUAF vs. MinnesotaBruce Cech
2006TV, Sports news Story, Student DivisionUAF Basketball PlayoffsAlan Frizzell
2006TV, News Story, Student DivisionUA Museum AdditionDani Carlson
2006TV, Comedy Feature, Student DivisionCooking with Sean and a NinjaSean Holland, Chris Green
2006TV, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionTim Fite UAF PerformanceSean Holland, Jason Brewer, Chris Green
2006TV, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student DivisionThe Town Called FairbanksSean Holland, Chris Green, Jason Brewer, Andrew Pan's
2006Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionDreams - the Everything Bagel ShowCasey Grove, Jose Cruz-Gomez, Rosie Milligan
2006Radio, Promotional Item, Student DivisionMr. KSUA Robot StickerNick Brewer
2006TV, Promotional Announcement, Student DivisionKSUA TeaVSean Holland, Andrew Paris, Chris Green
2006Radio, Comedy Feature, Student DivisionKSUA Talk ShowNick Brewer, H.B. Telling, Isaac Paris, Jessica Tamez
2006TV, Newscast, Student DivisionUAF Weekly NewsDani Carlson, Amy Chausse, Kelly Gitter, Laura Lowdermilk
2006TV, Best Use of Video, Student DivisionAmbient JapanSean Holland
2006TV, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionWoman's Swimming: UAF vs. LMU 10/22/05Sean Holland
2006TV, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionGoverning Alaska's Natural ResourcesSean Holland
2006TV, News Feature, Student Division9th Annual Mush for KidsLauren Adams
2007TV, Best Promotional Announcement, Student DivisionSubwaysNick Brewer, Sean Holland
2007TV, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionKSUA Talk ShowNick Brewer, Sven Gilkey
2007TV, Public Affairs Program, Student DivisionOutspokenKelly Gitter
2007TV, Public Service Announcement, Student DivisionMy UAJaime Schwarzwald
2007Best Radio Show, Student DivisionUnited Nations of MusicSean Bledsoe, Yan Matusevich
2007Radio, Sports News Story, Student DivisionPre-Game Show: UAF vs. Western MichiganBruce Cech, Jim Culhane, Dallas Ferguson
2007TV, Live Sport Event, Student DivisionVolleyball: UAF vs. UAASean Holland, Nicole Carvajal
2007TV, Best Use of Video, Student DivisionThe Legend of St. Herman of AlaskaSean Bledsoe, Yelena Matusevich
2007Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionPlayoff Game 3: UAF vs Western MichiganBruce Cech
2007Radio, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionTerra FirmaTara Delana, Loquin Britton, Christina Sawyer
2007Radio, News Feature, Series Entry, Student Division9 to 5Nora Gruner, Mary Donaldson
2007Radio, Public Service Announcement, Student DivisionClucking BlossomMatt Lynch, Tara Delana
2008Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionOvertime Win: UAF vs. Western MichiganBruce Cech, Giacomo Accardo
2009Radio, Public Service Announcement, Student DivisionUAF Text2U PSANick Hautman
2009Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionOvertime Win: Alaska Nanooks vs. Ferris State, 2/21/09Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas, Matthew Schroder
2009Radio, Best Imaging, Student DivisionHome and KSUA.netNick Hautman
2009Radio, Promotional Announcement, Student DivisionJunkyard Ghost RevivalNick Hautman
2010Radio, Live Sports Event, Student DivisionAlaska Nanooks vs. Boston College NCAA NE RegionalBruce Cech, Channon Price
2010Radio, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionInternational Talk like a Pirate DayNick Hautman
2011Radio, Public Service, Student DivisionSomalia PSARebecca File, Maduabuchi Umekwe
2011Radio, Uniquely Alaskan, Student DivisionKSUA Takeout: Local Musician Discusses Life on Rural Alaskan IslandRebecca File, Willis Fireball
2011Radio, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionKSUA Take Out: BuskalaskaRebecca File, Paul Thompson
2011Radio, Best Radio Show, Student DivisionForeign Affairs: KreuzbergJack Ewers
2011Radio, Best Promotional Announcement, Student DivisionKSUA: Like UsRebecca File, Jack Ewers, Sam Herreid
2012Public Service Announcement, 60 seconds or less, single entry, student divisionGood HygieneLuke Soren Nielsen, Meghan Packee, Eli Barry-Garland
2012Radio, Best Sports News Story, Student DivisionOvertime Sports NewsMichael Ives, Steve Morrow
2012Best Promotional Announcement, 60 seconds of less, single entryMC Sonny Golden Station IDMC Sonny Golden
2012Best Radio Show, Student DivisionGeneral Protection FaultJeremy Smith, Ivan Baird
2012Radio, Entertainment Program, Student DivisionKSUA Takeout: Laura GibsonBrady Gross, Rebecca File
2014Radio, Best Entertainment Feature, Student DivisionNetherlands in AlaskaJack O'Malley
2015Student Radio, Best Promotional AnnouncementValentine's Day PartyJack Ewers
2018Student Radio, Best Radio ShowCritical HitsLuke Soren Nielsen, Rachel Elmer, Amelia Cooper, Josh Tullar

Radiostar Awards by Radio Flag