(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- WSOU 89.5 FM, the legendary student-run radio station at Seton Hall University, received a surprise at the annual Kilpop Radio Convention and Rock Radio Awards in Las Vegas, Nev.  The station was inducted into the Rock Radio Hall of Fame during the Rock Radio Awards Ceremony the evening of February 23.  Established in 2014 by music industry veteran Steven Walker, the Rock Radio Hall of Fame “recognizes and celebrates radio stations and individuals that have made significant and unique contributions to all things Rock!”

“This is wonderful and unexpected,” said WSOU General Manager Mark Maben.  “WSOU turns 70 years old this year, and for nearly half of its existence WSOU has been dedicated to playing and supporting metal and hard rock.  That our station has been inducted into the Rock Radio Hall of Fame is a tribute to the generations of students who have worked at WSOU.  Noncommercial stations like WSOU often go unnoticed.  To be recognize by our peers in the music and broadcasting industries means a lot.”

Since 2014, the Rock Radio Hall of Fame has inducted more than 40 radio stations and individuals.  WSOU’s name is now alongside renowned rock stations such as KSHE-FM, WMMR-FM, KSAN-FM, and WJJO-FM, the bands Metallica and The Who, and industry leaders Roxy Myzal, Harvey Leeds, Tom Zutaut, and Cyndee Maxwell, among others.  

WSOU, which began broadcasting in 1948, is the student-run station of Seton Hall University.  Celebrated for its loud rock format and coverage of Seton Hall athletics, WSOU’s signal reaches all five boroughs of New York City and much of northern and central New Jersey, and is available on iHeartRadio. WSOU was the 2016 winner of the National Broadcasters Association’s Marconi Award for Noncommercial Station of the Year.  More information about the station can be found online at www.wsou.net and www.facebook.com/WSOUFM.

Photo: (Left to Right): WSOU Assistant Program Director Doug Woolever, WSOU alumnus and current Music Choice music programmer Gabby Canella, WSOU Music Director Dylan Gordeuk, alumnus and Senior Director/Rock Formats for ADA/Warner Music Group Tom Delaney, alumnae and host of the national Full Metal Jackie program Jackie Kajzer, alumnae and current WSOU Underwriting Sales and Manager Jennifer Kajzer, WSOU DJ Katie Wilson, WSOU Assistant Program Director Charlotte Slocum and alumnus and Vice President of Music Programming for Signature Networks Cary Susalis posse with the station’s Rock Radio Hall of Fame award after the Rock Radio Awards Ceremony in Los Vegas.