By: Guy Varela & Marissa Spencer
Wake Up Rider Hosts Celebrate IBS Media Award Win: An Inside Look at the Show’s Success
Wake Up Rider, the long-running morning radio show on 107.7 The Bronc, has earned significant recognition this year by winning the prestigious Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Media Award. This remarkable achievement reflects the hard work, creativity, and passion that the hosts bring to the airwaves weekday mornings. To honor their win, we chatted with three of the six award-winning morning show hosts—Alli Burton ‘26, RJ Seib ‘27, and Brian Tobin ‘27—to hear about their experiences, favorite moments, and what this award means to them.
On Saturday, March 8, The Bronc took on the Big Apple, where Wake Up Rider claimed the title for Best College Morning Show after three consecutive years of nominations. Alli recalls the picture-perfect moment the award was announced, “I blacked out from the adrenaline rush. When they called our name, I remember squeezing Jack and Ellis’s hands, hoping they would announce us. When they did, we all shot up and screamed so loud. I ran to the stage to grab the award—it was such a surreal and unforgettable moment.”
Alli Burton joined Wake Up Rider in Spring 2023 after immersing herself fully in the radio station. The former graphic design major fell head over heels for radio at The Bronc, and the rest was history. So much so that Burton is now a radio and podcasting major with a passion like no other. As for her most cherished memories on Wake Up Rider, “There are so many great moments to choose from, but I think winning the IBS Media Award stands out. Another favorite moment was when we sang karaoke on helium—it was spontaneous and absolutely hilarious.”
Alli is considering a future in audio editing and board operation, and her time on Wake Up Rider has been invaluable. “The experience I’ve gained from running the board, managing the hotkeys, and working as a producer has given me the skills I need to pursue this field.”
Now. RJ Seib, a sophomore Film and TV major, has made an impressive impact as a co-host on Wake Up Rider since joining the team in Fall 2024. His creative energy and enthusiasm have quickly become a key part of the show’s success. When asked about his favorite moments on the show, RJ is quick to mention one of his proudest achievements: the creation of the segment Good Night Pyongyang, “It really clicked with our audience, and it was a lot of fun.” This segment, which highlights both humor and creative storytelling, as many of the segments promote the show’s collaborative efforts with the comedy club, Catch a Rising Star. “You can always expect to laugh when tuned in,” he added.
Hosting a morning radio show may seem routine at this point for such a seasoned group of hosts, but it’s not without its challenges no matter how many awards are won. For RJ, the unpredictability of live radio is one of the toughest parts of the job. “Live radio can be unpredictable, so balancing spontaneity with staying on schedule is a challenge,” he explains. “We want to keep it fun and fresh, but we also have to ensure the show flows smoothly.”
RJ’s IBS memory rings similar to Alli’s, filled to the brim with adrenaline and nerves, “It was such an overwhelming feeling of excitement,” RJ recalls. “We all screamed and jumped around when our name was called—it felt like everything we had worked for had paid off.” That moment of recognition was a testament to the hard work and dedication the team has put into the show,” he exclaimed. The opportunity to entertain and connect with listeners is what keeps RJ coming back every morning. “Whether it’s humor, stories, or a great segment, I love knowing we’re making people’s mornings better,” he says. The energy of live radio, combined with the ability to make a difference in someone’s day, is what fuels RJ’s passion for the job. “I’d love to see us win more awards in the future.”
Being part of Wake Up Rider has been a game-changer for RJ’s collegiate career. “WUR has been a huge influence on my career,” he says. “I’ve learned so much about broadcasting, production, and handling the pressures of live radio. I feel like I’m on the right path to a future in media because of the experience I’ve gained here.” The skills RJ has honed during his time on the show will undoubtedly set him up for success as he pursues a career in the media industry.
Meet newcomer, sophomore Brian Tobin. In his first semester on Wake Up Rider, Tobin has quickly become known for his infectious energy and enthusiasm, making him a perfect fit for the early morning program.
For Brian, the most rewarding aspect of morning radio is the ability to positively impact a listener’s morning. “It’s all about bringing joy to people’s day,” he explains. “Whether it’s a funny moment, a cool interview, or just having fun with the team, I love knowing that we’re brightening someone’s morning.” His passion for creating a fun and uplifting experience for his audience is what keeps him energized and motivated every day.
The success of Wake Up Rider and its recent IBS Media Award win is a reflection of the dedication and passion these hosts bring to their show every day. With new segments, creative energy, and a commitment to keeping things fresh, the future of WUR is undoubtedly bright.
As Alli, RJ, and Brian continue to make waves in the world of college morning radio, listeners can expect even more exciting content, laughs, and surprises with the show’s plethora of energetic hosts. Tune in on weekdays from 8-10 a.m. on 107.7 The Bronc to catch all the fun and see what the crew has in store next. Here’s to many more years of success, creativity, and unforgettable moments on Wake Up Rider! Congratulations to the entire crew of Wake Up Rider. This win for The Bronc was made possible thanks to Alli, RJ, and Brian alongside the rest of the team, Nick Witkowski, Ellis Foreman, Owen Nelson, Claire Palmer, Owen McCarron, Jack Jock, and John Mozes.
The Eggscellent Egg Hunt takes home the gold for “Best Giveaway”
On the other hand, The Eggscellent Egg Hunt is one of 107.7 The Bronc’s biggest events on campus and was nationally recognized as the event winning ‘Best Station Giveaway’ at the IBS Media Awards on March 8! Last year, one lucky student found themselves going on a Royal Caribbean cruise to The Bahamas with the help of Josh Harry Travel.
Former 107.7 The Bronc student general manager Nick Witkowski ‘25 and social media director Emily O’Connor ’26 both worked on the IBS reel to hopefully get The Eggscellent Egg Hunt nominated. Nick wrote a description of this famed contest and all of its prizes, while Emily produced the reel that was eventually submitted. And as they like to say, “the rest is history”. We asked both Nick and Emily for an in-depth look into how the reel came to be and what The Eggscellent Egg Hunt means to them.
When you think about it, there aren’t any colleges that host an event like this, so Nick wanted to think of a way to make not just the grand prize but the entire event stand out when writing the reel. “How many college radio stations are giving away cruises? My thoughts were just to find a way to combine a really cool prize with a really cool event, and from there (regarding the reel), hope for the best!”
Emily created the reel, and she wanted to incorporate all of our graphics, on-air imaging, social media, and everything in between. Since this is one of our biggest events, Emily thinks it’s one of the things that makes Rider University so unique. “I was looking for a piece with a narrative that told everyone exactly what the Eggscellent Egg Hunt is all about, and then I paired it with visuals from our social media countdown, social media coverage from our events, and our poster. I hoped that we would win an award, especially as the social media director. I always wanted to market ourselves by winning an award, so it’s a dream come true to do that.”
When talking about The Eggscellent Egg Hunt, Nick believes that this event is truly one of a kind. With over 10,000 eggs, tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, and over 80+ students involved at The Bronc, Nick knows that this event is not just a staple for The Bronc, but the date is circled on every Rider student’s calendar at the beginning of the semester. “I can say this with full confidence. Last year, we had an unfortunate swatting event that affected the entirety of our campus just days before the Eggscellent Egg Hunt. However, just a few days later, on the day of the event, well over 1,000 students attended our annual event with smiles on their faces, anticipating the food trucks, petting zoo, carnival games, good vibes, and obviously, the egg hunt itself! This event isn’t just about The Bronc, it’s about Rider, and one of the many reasons that this school is truly so special.”
Emily knows that this is such an important community event because it brings us all together. “There is truly something for everyone to do, from the main activity, the egg hunt, to the food trucks, to egg dyeing and many other activities to choose from. Especially the petting zoo, which allows students to come together from different majors to enjoy some time out of classes while reigniting our greater Rider community.”
In terms of winning ‘Best Giveaway’ at the IBS Media Awards, it was a great way to close the book on Nick’s final chapter at 107.7 The Bronc. Nick said that it was important to mention that this award could not have been done without the Rider community or our Bronc staff. “If it wasn’t for the love and passion that everyone has for this event, we wouldn’t be able to lock down such fantastic sponsors and prizes such as Josh Harry Travel and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.” Nick feels proud to have been a part of an award like this because it wasn’t just him; it was everyone, and that is what 107.7 The Bronc is all about.
Lastly, Emily sees the recognition of this massive event as well-deserved. She thinks that this award will help 107.7 The Bronc immensely with our upcoming egg hunt and, hopefully, help us raise the bar. “We really focused on taking this event to the next level, from the layout of the event to the activities that are provided during the event, all the way down to the prizes. Having one of my personal favorite sponsors allow us to give away a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas for two, which literally made our students very excited, was amazing!”The success of The Eggscellent Egg Hunt cannot be overlooked, and the recent IBS Media Award win shows our dedication and passion to hosting a campus-wide event for Rider University every year. The Eggscellent Egg Hunt is back on campus on Tuesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.! This year, there’s over $30,000 in prizes, and it will be an unforgettable day of non-stop fun! The actual egg hunt will kick off promptly at 12:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
