This weekend, you don’t have to head Downtown for an all-night party full of great music, fun and games. All of the above will be available on the airwaves during WHRW 90.5 FM’s 14th annual Paul J. Battaglia Marathon.
The marathon started 14 years ago as a way to honor the memory of the former station general manager from 1998-2000, Paul J. Battaglia. Battaglia was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In the aftermath of his death, WHRW renamed its studios for him and a scholarship fund was set up in his memory.
According to Daniel Kadyrov, WHRW’s current general manager and a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, Battaglia is remembered as an important and beloved member of the station.
“We play his previous shows on air, and they’re very ridiculous,” Kadyrov said. “He was a very funny character.”
The first marathon to honor Battaglia was held in April 2002 as a way to raise money for the scholarship fund set up in his name. The inaugural marathon was a success: The station raised over $1,300. Soon, it became an annual event. Last year’s marathon raised over $5,000 toward the scholarship fund.
This year’s edition of the marathon hopes to keep up with the tradition by running for a full 24 hours and including various WHRW-themed activities. There will be on-air games including “Musical Jeopardy” and “Where’s the Drop?” where you have to accurately predict where that sick beat will drop. Additional activities will include a “24-Hour Playwright,” where station members attempt to come up with a short play to be performed on-air at the end of the marathon, and a comedy roast of Kadyrov at 10 p.m. According to Isabella Castiglioni, the public relations director and a sophomore majoring in geography, you can also expect several special performances.
“We’ll have people come in live and play on the radio,” Castiglioni said. “We’ll have an acoustic set and some DJ’s.”
Ultimately, for Kadyrov, the goal of the entire marathon is simple: “To have fun, raise money and to spend 24 hours with WHRW station members.”
The marathon starts on Friday, March 13 at 1 p.m. and lasts until Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. It can be accessed live via web stream on whrwfm.org/listenlive or on the radio on 90.5 FM. Listeners are encouraged to call in to the station at (607) 777-2137 to participate and to donate to the Paul J. Battaglia Scholarship fund.