Gannon University's radio station, 90.5 WERG, has been named a finalist in three categories for the 2024 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Media Awards.
The award presentation will take place at the IBS media conference in New York City over spring break. WERG is being recognized nationally for Best Sports Play-by-Play (hockey), Best Sports Talk Program (The Prime-Time Sports Guys) and Best Social Media Director, Radio.
Dr. Chet LaPrice, WERG's operations manager, is pleased to see WERG as a finalist, once again, for the awards. "It is always thrilling to see our students recognized on a national level for their extraordinary talents," said LaPrice. "I cannot wait until we board the train to New York City in February and to be in the Big Apple with our peers from across the country."
Trevor Kubeja, a senior journalism communications major, has been nominated for two awards: Best Sports Play-by-Play (hockey) and Best Sports Talk Program. This is the second year in a row that Kubeja has been nominated for these two awards. In 2023, he won Best Sports Play by Play for his calling of the Erie Otters' preseason game. He began at WERG in 2020, has been the sports director for the 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 academic years and served as general manager of the station during the 2022-2023 academic year.
"It is super cool and an honor to be recognized," Kubeja said. "This is something I clearly take seriously and is very important to me. It is always so [remarkable] to be recognized by an organization like [IBS], and I cannot thank the people who helped me get to this point enough."
Additionally, Madeline Emerson, a sophomore advertising and digital media communications dual major, is a finalist for the Best Social Media Director, Radio. She began at WERG in the fall of 2022 during her freshman year. After attending the IBS conference in 2023, she quickly knew she would like to apply for the position of social media manager for WERG, and shortly after applying, Emerson was selected for the 2023-2024 academic year.
"When I took over the social media for WERG, I made it my goal for WERG to get recognized for 'Best Social Media Account'," Emerson said. "All semester, I have been trying to find new, unique ways to promote our radio station and university through social media to make it stand out from other universities. Nothing has brought me more joy than getting to work with the managers and staff of WERG and getting to showcase all our personalities and talents through various styles of content. Although our [Instagram] account did not make it to the final round, I am honored to have been nominated for the Best Social Media Director for the radio category. I could not have accomplished this without the support of Chet, the other station managers and the staff of WERG, and I cannot express my gratitude enough."