WCRD is the informal ID of the student–run FM radio station at Ball State University, Muncie, IN, and operated as an applied learning laboratory for Ball State students interested in media and radio. The informal ID gives reference to Ball State alum David Letterman, who in the 1980s provided initial funding to the station during its earlier “AM carrier-current” non-broadcast days.
Holding an FCC license since 2004, and with FCC-issued official call letters WWHI, the station broadcasts at 91.3 FM and streams from wcrd.net. It operates independently of the other five FM radio stations licensed to Ball State University and which are affiliated with National Public Radio.
WCRD broadcasts a variety of music genres, talk shows, sports-related programs, up-to-date weather forecasts, a weekday evening newscast and regular news updates. For more information, contact: WCRD student general manager Emily Donald at efdonald@bsu.edu; WCRD student assistant general manager Chris Zurisk at crzurisk@bsu.edu; or WCRD faculty advisor Barry Umansky at bdumansky@bsu.edu or by calling 765-717-4928.
Station Information
- Call Letters: WWHI-FM (WCRD)
- Frequency: 91.3 MHz
- Airs 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
- Studio Location: The David Letterman Communication and Media Building at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
- Tower Location: Tower atop Teacher’s College Building
- Simulcasts on CardinalVision
- View coverage map
Station History
- 1986 – David Letterman funds construction of original AM “carrier current” WCRD operation
- 1988 – WCRD begins AM operation (540 AM)
- 1995 – WCRD begins FM broadcast operation over WWHI, Muncie (91.3 MHz), licensed to Muncie Community Schools, over an antenna/tower at Southside High School
- 2004 – Ball State acquires FCC license for WWHI-FM (91.3 FM)
- 2005 – New transmitter and improved antenna installed at Muncie Southside site
- Fall 2006 – WCRD changes music format to “College Radio on Demand,” with audience increases
- August 17, 2007 – WCRD begins broadcasting from its new home in The David Letterman Communication and Media Building
- Fall 2008 – WCRD begins operation from new antenna atop the smokestack of the West Quadrangle Building
- Fall 2008 – WCRD begins a year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary
- October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) – WCRD makes the “big switch,” changing from a Variety and Requests format to focus on Top 40 Pop and college rock (College Music Journal)
- February 1, 2011 – WCRD Sports joins forces with Ball State Sports Link, one of the nation’s premier sports media programs. The new partnership, Sports Link Radio on WCRD, plans to cover over 50 live Ball State Athletics events through May 2011.
- February 29, 2015 – WCRD moves antenna to new location on top of the Teacher’s College
- Summer 2017 – WCRD Station Logo changes to it’s current state, with the new branding “Always Better”.