The radio station originally went on air November 1, 1962, under the call letters WRCR, and was located at 640 AM on the dial. Student Ira Kinder started the station with the help of his adviser, Gordon Graves, who was in charge of the Rider Audio/Video Department.
In 1965, the station changed its call letters from WRCR to WWRC, because a commercial station on the East Coast wanted the same WRCR call letters. In exchange, WWRC received equipment from the commercial station.
The student-run station saw an immediate boost in popularity and was moved to the basement of the Hill Dormitory. Hill Hall, as it’s known now, housed the on-air studio, production studio, record library, and two offices. This is where WWRC’s nickname “the dungeon” began. At this time Rider was still known as Rider College and did not offer a broadcasting major.
In 1971, WWRC moved to the Student Center where the Communication Department first began to use the radio station for its classes. In 1984, the station changed its call letters and dial location once again to WRRC and 88.5 FM.
During the ’80s, and for the first time in its history, the station was able to offer 24-hour programming. However, administration feared for student safety and began to lock the new Student Center making it difficult for students to continue their shows past closing. Unfortunately, after the new security rules were implemented, WRRC was only able to remain on-air with its new, 24-hour programming for a few short weeks.
In 1992, the station moved to its current dial position, 107.7 FM. In 2007, through the use of automated programming, the station began to offer 24-hour programming once again, including during winter and summer break.
In the summer of 2008, WRRC hired a new station adviser and General Manager, long-time local on-air personality, John Mozes. With Mozes’ radio experience, both the students at WRRC and Rider University’s administration hoped to improve the station as a broadcast entity and learning experience.
The work John Mozes has put towards the station has opened up great learning opportunities for students including: DJ opportunities, DJ and remote broadcast appearances, sports broadcasting, and more. Our student executive staff holds the same professional positions as a commercial radio station.
Most recently, we have been recognized by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) where we won “Best College Radio Station” in 2023. Along with that junior Film and TV major Jake Serrano was recognized for Best Sports Update on The Overtime. This is our second consecutive win in this category. In 2022 Sean Harrington won the same award on The Overtime.
In 2022 The Bronc was nominated under the category, “Best College Radio Station,” for the third consecutive time and got the chance to the Big Apple to attend National Association of Broadcasters Marconi awards.
107.7 The Bronc has also become a major part of the various events Rider University has set up, providing the biggest and best variety of music as well as prizes. The station has even created and run the university’s most popular events, including Rider Student: Top Chef, Launch a Bronc, Dessert Wars, Eggcellent Egg Hunt, Scream Screen and Cruisin’ From Commencement! The Bronc has become a huge part of the student life experience on the Rider campus, this is one of the most diverse and inclusive student organizations on campus.
Even though the name has changed, the call letters and dial position remain the same. Now called, 107.7 The Bronc, WRRC follows a Hot AC format playing nothing but the biggest hits and best variety. Its appeal is broad-based appealing to students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and the community-at-large.
The Bronc has also upgraded its space with a new and improved state of the art station. Students get the opportunity to work with some of the finest equipment. Along with a new space there is a new station 107.7 The Bronc Retro WRRC-2 which plays all the classics from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.