Rocky Mount football moving to 1390 AM

- RMSH alum Wes Bradshaw

When ESPN Sports Radio 1490 AM decided earlier this spring to not broadcast Rocky Mount football games on the air, the biggest Rocky Mount sports fan in Rocky Mount just wouldn't stand for it.

Ummm, now I am pretty big, but this guy is even bigger - physically and in his love for Gryphon sports - in particular, Rocky Mount varsity football!

Wes Bradshaw (RMSH Class of 2000) has been part of many Gryphon football radio broadcasts with 1490 as a color commentator.

Due to 1490's indifference to perhaps showcase possibly one of Rocky Mount's best teams in recent memory, Bradshaw has taken things into his own hands.

He has worked out a deal for Gryphon football to be on the radio as Rocky Mount will be returning to its roots - WEED 1390 AM. The station carried Rocky Mount football, lastly with Steve Dickens and myself providing area fans all the Gryphon gridiron action.

But Hurricane Floyd did in the broadcast three games into the 1999 season as the station, then located off Sunset Ave. just past Sam's Club, was flooded and destroyed.

The station, now called 1390 .. The Word, is a soul gospel station now, but was extremely receptive to having Rocky Mount football back on the air.

And for you Rocky Mount football fans living on the outskirts of town, 1390 AM has a stronger signal at night than 1490 AM - so that will be a plus!

We'll have more details about the broadcast as summer progresses, but Bradshaw will need the help of all area businesses who have been past sponsors of Rocky Mount football on-the-air, and all those new clients who might want to get on board.

After all, the product is first-class. RMHS was 14-1 last season and is 57-10 over the last five seasons. With 18 starters coming back next season, hopes are high for the best season ever!

And you businesses out there, you can go along for the ride!

Contact Bradshaw at 452-3280 or email him at blackbirdxpress@yahoo.com if you're interested in commercial time on the broadcast or any other advertising issues.

I'm pretty glad Bradshaw, who will handle play-by-play duties on the broadcast, has decided to make this undertaking. I just can't imagine Rocky Mount football playing to dead air!

NOTE: RM football will be a part of a "Game of the Week" series on WZAX 99.3 FM, but only two to three select games.

Hudgins voted Male Athlete of the Year at Elon

ELON – Sophomore All-American football wide receiver Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) came away with Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Male Athlete Award honors to top all accolades bestowed at the 34th Annual Elon University Athletics Awards Banquet Tuesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Athlete Award has been presented annually since 1958 in memory of the late Stein H. Basnight of Chapel Hill by his family to the most outstanding Phoenix male and female athletes of the year, as determined by the Elon Department of Athletics’ administrative staff. Jesse Basnight, Jr. and his wife, Janis Basnight, represented the Basnight family at the banquet.

Hudgins logged 10 Elon, Southern Conference or NCAA records while pacing the Elon football team to its best season in eight years last fall. The Walter Payton Award finalist led the Football Championship Subdivision in receptions and receiving yards per game on his way to earning not only First Team All-Southern Conference recognition, but First Team All-America accolades as well. Behind Hudgins’ performances, Elon finished the 2007 campaign ranked 23rd in the FCS in both The Sports Network and the coaches polls.

Nash County winners!

Former Nash County standouts Brian Allen (Southern Nash) and Zach Woodley (Northern Nash), now freshman members of the Pitt Community College baseball team, hold the championship plaque at the NJCAA Region X tournament in Burlington on May 11. The Bulldogs won the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Louisburg College.

(Photo - Courtesy of Terry Woodley)