Paul Smith
Sports Information Director

   Local fans tuning in to hear broadcasts of University of Arkansas at Monticello football and basketball, as well as post-season baseball and softball will be able to find the Boll Weevils and Cotton Blossoms on their new broadcast home this upcoming year, as all UAM sports programming will be carried live on KHBM-FM, 93.7 in Monticello.

   UAM sports programming has been carried on KWRF-FM in Warren for the last four years, but with the acquisition of KHBM by Pines Broadcasting (KWRF’s parent company), the move to put UAM sports back on the airwaves in Monticello was a natural decision.

   “Having UAM sports on a Monticello radio station is a natural move,” said Jimmy Sledge, owner/operator of KHBM-FM. “It’s a move we’re happy to be able to make. UAM sports will now go out to a much larger listening area, and the move will be beneficial for the station, the fans and the university in general.”

   “We have had a long-standing, mutually-beneficial relationship with Jimmy Sledge and KWRF through the years,” Chancellor Jack Lassiter said. “We are happy to have the opportunity to continue that relationship and expand our coverage of UAM athletics at the same time.”

   The UAM broadcast team will remain unchanged this upcoming season, with Sledge providing play-by-play for all football and basketball broadcasts, Mark Tiner providing color commentary for home football games and Sports Information Director Paul Smith providing color commentary for road football and basketball games.

   UAM’s official return to KHBM will take place as the Boll Weevils open their 2007 football season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southern Arkansas. Kick-off from Convoy Leslie-Cotton Boll Stadium is set for 6 p.m.