Junior Studying Communication Helps Revive Radio Station

When Trip Floyd joined UToledo's radio station, WXUT, as a freshman in media communication, there were only 10 members with four shows ran by current students on air.

"We were so disorganized, it was kind of ridiculous," Floyd said. "When my sophomore year came, I was determined to not only get myself on the air, but recruit and get as many other students as possible into this awesome radio station we have."

The station had been hit hard especially after the pandemic. Floyd took it upon himself to get the station back into working order, from building up their social media presence to handling the bureaucracy.

"Since joining, I've helped refine and restore our constitution and show training process, create our paid DJ position and payment process, and curated and created our budget for 2024-25" he said. "We currently have over 60 members involved in some sort of way in the station, 20 student-ran shows on the air and recently celebrated our last spaces of airtime in the 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. time slots being filled, which is huge compared to just over two years ago."

Floyd runs his own show, "STAFF MEETING," which helps to train new recruits of the station on speaking on air.

"I started my show to serve not only as a radio show for me, but to get other people comfortable with talking behind the microphone and operating the board," Floyd said. "I'm currently in my second year of doing it with more than 30 episodes under my belt and have helped more than 10 shows get on the air since starting."

Floyd said John Eidemiller, the executive producer of media services in the Department of Communication and Media, was instrumental in his success in broadcasting and other productions.

"Trip is the perfect example of what a student can do if they get involved on campus as soon as they get here," Eidemiller said. "He took my Live Sports Production class as a freshman and stood out from the beginning as one of my best camera and replay operators. He got involved early on in his college career with the student radio station among other student organizations. It's been very impressive to see what he has accomplished with WXUT, though not at all surprising, considering his work ethic and positive attitude."

From his experience at UToledo's radio station, Floyd has secured a role with the Toledo Walleyes and Mudhens as a media production member.

"I was responsible for operating the scoreboard, throwing up cheers on the board and operating broadcast positions like camera and replay. Basically, just trying to make sure all our fans were having a good time and keeping a good atmosphere great for the fans and for the game," Floyd said. "This fall, I was urged by my producer to audition for the in-game host role at the Walleye. I ended up doing really well and was offered the primary position for all home games. In this role, I will be a familiar personality during timeouts and breaks, engaging with fans and getting them to cheer."

Despite his success in branching out, Floyd said WXUT always will be close to his heart.

"88.3 FM WXUT, 'Toledo's Only Alternative,' offers so much to the students and the campus community at large," he said. "Our members range from a variety of majors and backgrounds, whether media communication, biology, engineering, political science, etc. Not only does the station provide them with a creative outlet in the form of a radio broadcast but it also teaches them great communication, media and networking skills that can be used in any facet of life."