Skip to Content
College of Human Development, Culture, and Media

WSOU, Seton Hall's Pirate Radio

WSOU Vinyl shirts 320 pic WSOU 89.5 FM is the University’s award-winning radio station housed within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. Operated by a team of student managers, and under the leadership of professional staff, WSOU 89.5 FM functions as a learning lab with an array of career-oriented educational experiences. Opportunities for student staff include on-air hosting (DJ), production, promotion, newscasting, sportscasting, programming, sales and marketing, and engineering. WSOU 89.5 FM draws participation from each of the University’s Schools and Colleges, including many from communication, business, biology, education, nursing, sports management, and diplomacy.

Celebrated for its heritage status and coverage of Seton Hall athletics, WSOU 89.5 FM's signal reaches all five boroughs of New York City and much of northern and central New Jersey, with live streaming availability anywhere via iHeartRadio. Notable alumni include ESPN Broadcasters and Anchors, Bob Ley '76 and John Brickley '06; 1010 Wins' Reporter and Anchor, Glenn Schuck '85; Megaforce Records' Vice President, Missi Callazzo '89; Z100 and WLTW Assistant Program Director, Cara Han '14, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Director of Programming Jeff Regan '98, and the voice of the NYC subway system and AirTrain at JFK and Newark airports, Bernie Wagenblast '78.

Window with WSOU stickers

Experiential Learning in Professional Studios

As early as freshman year, students have the opportunity to experience the radio industry first-hand. WSOU 89.5 FM's structure is modeled after commercial radio, allowing students to both staff and manage the day-to-day station operations while guided by industry professionals and mentors. At WSOU 89.5 FM, students learn by doing.

Students that work at WSOU 89.5 FM can:

  • Gain experience in on-air hosting (DJing)
  • Conduct live interviews with musicians and newsmakers
  • Anchor twice hourly newscasts
  • Podcast
  • Write for digital media
  • Produce live shows and events
  • Create news wraps
  • Broadcast sports play-by-play
  • Promote WSOU 89.5 FM at live events and concerts

Five Fast Facts about WSOU 89.5 FM:

  • 100,000+ weekly listeners
  • 10,000 newscasts each year
  • 125 student staff members
  • 24/7 operation hours 
  • Streamed nationwide on the iHeartRadio App

In some cases, students can travel the country broadcasting athletic events, attending concerts and presenting at industry conferences. While WSOU 89.5 FM is housed in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, student participation is open across the University's programs including business, biology, education, nursing, sport management and diplomacy.

At WSOU 89.5 FM, students have access to industry-standard and state-of-the-art equipment. Undergraduate and graduate students alike use studio and remote equipment that they will encounter in the professional world, giving them a skills advantage when competing for internships and jobs.

Awards and Recognitions

On air for over 70 years, WSOU 89.5 FM is a highly regarded and nationally recognized radio station, honored with numerous accolades over the years. WSOU 89.5 FM was inducted into the Radio Rock Hall of Fame in 2018 and was a recipient of two Marconi Awards: Non-Commercial Radio Station of the Year in 2016, and College Radio Station of the Year in 2023. The station has also been named one of Top 5 Rock Radio Stations in the Country Rolling Stone magazine; has been selected multiple times for CMJ College Station of the Year and has won Best Sports Play-by-Play from the National Student Production Awards and Garden State Journalists Association. The station also won the prestigious New York Press Award for its 2021 election night coverage. In addition, WSOU 89.5 FM is also the recipient of more than 30 gold and platinum records for its role in helping further the careers of bands such as Korn, Linkin Park and Sevendust.

Interested in Joining WSOU 89.5 FM?

WSOU 89.5 FM is a special jewel of College of Human Development, Culture, and Media – the station is always looking for new student staffers. WSOU 89.5 FM is open to all SHU students, regardless of major. If you'd like to get involved, please contact the WSOU 89.5 FM station manager at [email protected] or visit the station, located in the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center.

Detailed information about WSOU 89.5 FM, its program, current staff members and other information can be found on the station's official website at www.wsou.net.

In the News