KRUI Radio - KRUI-FM - FM 89.7 - Iowa City, IA

In 1952 Student Broadcasting began at the University of Iowa in the form of KWAD. This carrier current station was situated in the Quadrangle Residence ... See more Hall and served Quad exclusively. As KWAD was to begin service to additional residence halls, it became KICR in 1968. It was then located with new equipment and studios in the basement of South Quadrangle Residence Hall. Keeping with tradition, KICR was an alternative station and at that time that meant ‘rock n’ roll’ of which KICR was the only station in Iowa City of its kind. It was very popular with students and was supported through advertising–about $10,000 per year. KRUI’s listening audience was about 5000 people; almost all were UI students. KICR changed its call letters to KRUI in 1976 and continued its service to the residence halls. In the late 70′s KRUI was shut down by the residence halls as it ran out of funds and lacked the equipment and enthusiasm to keep it up and running. KRUI was put back up in 1980 but was in a state of almost thorough disrepair. However, control of KRUI was shifted to the Student Government from the Associated Residence Halls. Funding would come from the students instead of the dorms. Pete Koenig was selected as General Manager in the fall of 1980 and was able to restore KRUI’s service to all the dorms. It was his long term goal to make KRUI an fm broadcast facility. KRUI then had to obtain an FCC license and an FM transmitter. KRUI also had to secure greater funding from the student government and impress upon the UI Administration that it was dedicated group that could go the distance and involve the students and community. GM Pete Koenig orchestrated the move to FM. In 1982 Student Broadcasters, Inc was created as an external corporation charged with holding the broadcasting license and providing the University of Iowa with a student run broadcast facility. Then in the fall of 1983, KRUI was granted a non-commercial radio license by the FCC to operate at 89.7 fm. Everything was set in the spring of 1984 to begin broadcasting at FM. On March 28, 1984 at 7:18pm CST, KRUI hit the airwaves at 89.7fm as Iowa City’s sound alternative. A sign on including congratulations by numerous University, student, and state officials, the tradition of an fm broadcast facility was started. Having reached his goal, Koenig left KRUI and news director Joe Reagan took over as GM. In 1988, KRUI had the opportunity to move upstairs in South Quad. GM Don Knapp organized this move to the larger facilities and new equipment on the second floor. Knapp, Pete Koenig, Bob MacArthur, and AJ Bautista were the key figures in the building of the new facilities. By November of 1988, the new facilities were ready and in a single day KRUI switched studios. In 1994 the University decided KRUI was to move to a new permanent location. In March ’95 the 2 story house at 129 Grand Ave. Ct. was selected. In December ’95 renovation on the house was started but wasn’t completed until 1996. Currently, KRUI boasts a staff of over 100 students in nine different departments. In addition to the students of the University of Iowa, the listening audience includes the Iowa City-Coralville area at large. With every new semester, we strive to improve every facet of our programming, news, public affairs, finance, marketing, engineering, and sports. We want to continue the tradition of having the best out-of-the-classroom broadcast learning experience at the University of Iowa. Our goal is to be the best station in the area and one of the best college radio stations in the nation. ------ Shows: Coast to Coast AM, Headspace, Aaron Brummer, Adam Surly, Addison Stark, Alisa Rosenthal and Christina McCleland Show, Amey Barba, Anna McGill, BADSVILLE!, Banana Nut Breed, Bluegrass Bound, Brandon Abbs, Breakfast of Champions, Brigid Marshall, Caffeinated Opinions, Cameron Miller, Chris Crouch, Chris Streib, Dakin Yeats, Dan from The Record Collector, Dave Balmer, Dave Henderson and Dave Marxuach Show, Dave Long, Discarded, Recycled and New, East India Rock Company, Eric Williams, Erik Skaden, Girija Mahajan, Heather Russell, Heidi Hehlney, High Plains Hootenanny, Joel Jensen, John Willets, Katie Miller, Kim Kullmer Beth Petrenko, Kim Reidy, Long and Short of It, Luther Moss, Matt Winter, Max Radl, Michael Mulcrone, Movie Show, Nathan Coussens, Nick Nedza, Open, Punk Show, Radio Attack, Robert Zegler, Ryan Knipp, Scott Wilson, Sean Shatto, Sids Hip Hop Amaza, Six Degree Spin, Sports, Stephen Schmidt, Super 45, The Bomb, The College Jazz Show, The Dead Hour, The Full Length, The Noise Kitchen, Thomas Mescher, Troy Krouse, Whitney Ringen ----- Hosts: Brigid Marshall, Umair Kazi