919 The Buzz

History



From various accounts, it appears that there were discussions concerning starting a campus radio station at least as early as 1970. By the 1973-1974 school year the effort was well underway to put a station on the air. One of the issues to be decided was whether the station would be under the control of the Journalism Department or under student control as a student activity. Gary Robertson was one of the students pushing for student control. During this same time period some students had effectively started a station in Sanford Hall. The signal was basically broadcast through the pipes of the dorm. It could only be picked up within the dorm. Gary Robertson was also involved in the Sanford Hall effort.

Eventually it was decided that the station would be a student activity. The 1974 Reflector does not mention WVGS by name, but does have a picture in the student government section with the caption "Radio Station". Three students are pictured: Susan Ambrose, Gary Roberts (sic) and Patricia Metts. WVGS began limited broadcasting during the latter part of summer quarter 1974. Regular broadcasting began with fall quarter 1974. Gary Robertson was the first station manager; Bill Grove the first program director; and Billy Johnson the station’s engineer. The station’s original frequency was 91.3. The studios were three rooms in a corner of the Williams Center behind the George Anne office, with a very short tower attached to the side of the building.

Steve Thayer was appointed station manager for the 1975-1976 school year. Roy Sutton became program director at the same time. They ended up running WVGS for two consecutive academic years, through spring quarter, 1977. It was a time of growth for the station as it developed into an established part of campus life. A production room was built in the middle room of the station during this period. By 1977 the station’s staff had grown to over 40 students. The station also sponsored events like the Bizarre Bazaar, a flea market/fair. During the late 1970's and very early 1980's the station had a wide range of programing, from the free form rock shows, to classical, jazz and ethnic musics. [It must be remembered that there were no NPR stations in the area at that time. WSVH in Savannah did not sign on until April, 1981. The Peach State Network did not appear until the mid-1980's.

The original transmitter and tower (which barely extended above the roof of the Williams Center) gave WVGS a very limited listening range. It was sometimes difficult to hear the station on the north side of Statesboro. By Spring Quarter, 1981 a new 120-foot tower had been built, increasing the station’s listening range. However, along with the advent of WSVH in April, 1981 (100,000 watts at 91.5-FM), the building of the new tower caused WVGS to change frequencies to 107.7-FM.

Despite these positive changes, WVGS gradually slid into a period of neglect. In spring quarter 1982 it was discovered that no one had bothered to apply to renew the station’s FCC license and that, in fact, the license had already expired. WVGS was forced to sign off the air until a new license could be obtained. GSC President Dr. Dale Lick formed a committee to determine how the station would be run in the future. Mr. Ernie Wyatt of the Communication Arts Department chaired the committee. There were some in the administration who wanted to change WVGS from a student activity to an on-the-air-classroom.

Ultimately, WVGS was saved as a student activity. However, there were changes. Dr. Roger Branch, who had been faculty adviser since the early days of the station, decided it was time for him to step aside. Dr. Russ Dewey, who had much energy and enthusiasm, but no experience in radio, was brought in as the news faculty adviser. Skip Jennings, still hanging around the campus as a school employee and part-time post-baccalaureate student, volunteered to come back as station manager for the 1982-1983 school year. His main job was to work closely with Dr. Dewey and show him the inner workings of the station and FCC requirements so that some of the mistakes of the past could be avoided.

After 30 years of being known as WVGS 91.9, the 2004-2005 broadcast board decided the station needed a new, harder image. At the same time, several other stations in the area, including 100.1 FM, and 107.3 FM switched formats. After tossing around several ideas, we realized that a name identifying us with student media would be advantageous. The George-Anne “covers the campus like a swarm of gnats.” This is where the idea for “The Buzz” came from. The Buzz was born at 11:48 pm on April 30, 2004, when we changed the moniker to “91.9 The Buzz.”
WVGS is owned and operated by the Board of Regents at Georgia Southern University. All Deejays are students who volunteer their talents to the station. All views expressed on this web page and on the air do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Regents, the administration, and staff of Georgia Southern University. The views expressed only represent the person offering their opinion.
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