Beyond THE HYPE

Beyond THE HYPE

By Marissa Spencer


Needless to say, 107.7 the Bronc has spent a great deal of time getting hyped this college basketball season. From our student broadcaster, who you’ve heard hanging out on the scene, giving you all the play-by-play, to our executive team engineering the broadcasts back in our state-of-the-art studios, we’ve been able to experience it all this basketball season. However, two current students have been able to switch up the scene and provide all Bronc basketball fans with the ultimate pre-game experience: The Hype.

The Hype originated from an idea pitched by General Manager John Mozes. While Mozes had previously proposed a pre-game project involving a collaboration between the radio station and Rider Athletics, this time the concept was entirely new. As is often the case with collaborations, the station reached out to the athletic department to make it happen. They met with Karin Torchia, the Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator, to bring the vision to life.

Torchia has been working in the Rider Athletics department for 25 years making her the most pivotal point of contact for this project. As a longtime colleague of Mozes, and a former collaborator of the station from previous sports broadcasts, once the perfect pitch was proposed the show was ready to hit the road. “We knew we wanted to create an enhanced fan experience when we started offering alcohol sales,” said Torchia.

Kadie and Zach on the mic

“We wanted the SRC to become the sort of place where everyone would go before a game and sit around and listen to The Hype…the pregame show…It was kind of a no-brainer,” she added. And a no-brainer it was to collaborate. We’re merging the pro athletes of the future with the pro broadcasters of the succeeding mediasphere. “John does a really terrific job of bringing in students who are really knowledgeable and passionate about broadcasting…They are so professional…it goes a long way to what John does with the students teaching them,” she said.

The Hype has a lot of exclusive content in store for the fans that get to the court early. In addition to elevated concessions, this pre-game show offers exclusive interviews with the assistant coaches. “It’s great! They’re the ones who do a scout of each team that they then present to our players and head coach. “They get an idea of what to look for at the games and to have a different perspective for each game is pretty unique,” said Torchia who believes, “Having The Hype as a part of our Bronc’s Fan Zone really adds to that atmosphere and knowledge that the fans can get before they actually come in and see the game.”

Karin Torchia

As for Torchia, and her career at Rider, she’s shared her most beloved moments on staff working with not only the athletes, but the student body as a whole, “Getting a chance to have an impact on the 450 student-athletes that we have; and knowing once they leave Rider that we’ve created memories and a good positive experience for them…knowing that you get an opportunity to shape someone’s future,” shared the acclaimed athletic director and longtime friend of 107.7 The Bronc.

Meet your Hype hosts, Kadie DiGiuseppe and Zach Jones. Both are no strangers to the court, studying sports media here at Rider. With a deep passion for the sidelines, they’ve honed their craft and elevated their insights through their new show. “I always want to be a sideline reporter,” said Sophomore, Sports Media major, Kadie Digiuseppe. “Asking questions to coaches and broadcasters has helped me develop the kind of knowledge-driven questions that can provide our listeners with insider information—a skill I hope to refine even further in the future.” Senior Radio and Podcasting major, Zach Jones, who’s also minoring in Sports Media has learned a lot, “The Hype’s allowed me to polish my skills as an interviewer and host.”


This year marked the first sales of alcohol at Rider basketball games, while fans sat and sipped drinks something was missing, “With alcohol now being sold at the game, the athletic department really wanted a pregame show to complement everything else,” Jones added and DiGiuseppe agreed, “We wanted to enhance our engagement with our student listeners by doing a live broadcast before the games. It also gives our listeners insider information since we interview other broadcasters and coaches.”
Zach Jones

Overall this show has not only provided entertainment to our listeners and fans alike, but those behind the mic as well, with this broadcasting duo constantly being able to polish their craft, these two have sure learned a lot. “Getting to know the coaches and other broadcasters has been really great. It’s opened up my eyes to new sides of the team and the media surrounding it,” shared DiGiuseppe. “I’ve been able to see the different perspectives on the team and the games with the many guests we have,” added Jones.

With the rest of the season well underway, there’s still so much in store for listeners of Rider Broncs’ Basketball on 107.7 The Bronc Retro and The Hype. Zach Jones shared his excitement about the future of the program and his plans for the rest of the season, “I’m excited to get creative with the process, figuring out what we can do more or less of—and just enjoying the journey.” As the Broncs gear up for the MAAC tournament, Kadie is equally thrilled about what lies ahead. “Getting to interview new people and uncover more information as the team sets its sights on the tournament,” she said, reflecting on how this season has truly been a standout moment for her.

Kadie DiGiuseppe current News Director

As the basketball season continues and the hopes for postseason play heat up, The Hype has proven to be a game-changer for Rider fans and athletes alike, and with the momentum continuing to build, there’s no doubt this pre-game show will become a staple for Rider Basketball from here on out. The Broncs’ journey to the MAAC tournament is just beginning, and The Hype, along with your hosts Kadie and Zach, will be right there to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Go Broncs!


The Hype broadcasts an hour before every Rider Men’s basketball home game live from the SRC Atrium and live on 107.7 The Bronc Retro, WRRC2. Click here for all the ways you can listen live this season