SHOALS–UNA Lion athletic radio broadcasts will potentially reach thousands of additional listeners this year as football season kicks off this weekend. UNA now owns its own broadcast rights and has brokered a deal with a powerful localflagship station and flagship station and several other FM affiliates. This has created a network providing coverage in over 80 counties in a three-state region.

WFIX 91.3 FM (The FIX), a 100,000 watt station, will serve as flagship for UNA Lion Football games. Football will also be broadcast on affiliate WKZU 104.9 FM which can be heard from the Shoals to the Memphis area. Home games will also feature two-and-a-half hours of pre-game coverage beginning with a two hour program, “Game Day LIVE built by The Home Depot”. The show will originate from a stage on Spirit Hill beside the stadium which is groundzero for tailgaters. The pregame show follows from the press box one-half hour before kickoff.

Broadcasting veteran, JD Byars, will handle play-byplay duties for the UNA fooball broadcasts. Longtime football coach, Ikey Fowler, will share his game knowledge with color commentary, and former UNA standout, Jeff Redcross, will roam the sidelines again this year.

Basketball, Baseball also Get a Boost

Men’s and women’s basketball have also upgraded to the FM side of the dial. UNA Men’s Basketball will be heard on WYTK 93.9, The Score.

Men’s conference basketball match-ups will also air on affiliate WKZUFM 104.9. Women’s conference basketball games will be featured on 93.9, The Score.

Select Lion baseball games will also be featured this year on the network at WBCF-AM 1240. A minimum of 10 baseball games will hit the airwaves as the Lions look to regain a position near the top of the GSC standings in 2011.