BOONE, N.C. — For the 16th-consecutive year, Appalachian State University athletics and WKBC-FM 97.3 (North Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Hickory, Statesville, High Country) have reached an agreement for WKBC-FM to serve as the flagship station of the Appalachian IMG Sports Network in 2015-16, Appalachian State associate athletics director David Jackson announced on Monday.

With the announcement, Appalachian State athletics will maintain its strong radio presence throughout the region, as WKBC's 100,000-watt FM signal reaches much of western North Carolina and stretches into parts of five states in all (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia).

“We couldn't be more pleased that WKBC-FM 97.3 will remain the flagship station of the Appalachian IMG Sports Network for the 16th-straight year,” Jackson said. “With its 100,000-watt signal, WKBC-FM has the ability to bring Mountaineer athletics into millions of homes and cars, which is supremely beneficial to Appalachian State athletics, the University as a whole and countless Appalachian alumni, fans and prospective students. We thank general manager Bob Brown and the WKBC staff for all that they do to help strengthen the Mountaineer brand across the region.”

As it has for the past decade-and-a-half, WKBC-FM will carry all Appalachian State football and men's basketball game broadcasts, as well as Appalachian's weekly Mountaineer Talk coaches' call-in show and other specialty programming.

As part of the agreement, WKBC-FM will continue to be heavily involved in Appalachian State athletics promotions throughout western North Carolina, including remote broadcasts and ticket giveaways to Mountaineer football and men's basketball games.

“It's our pleasure to announce that WKBC-FM will remain the flagship station of the Appalachian IMG Sports Network,” Appalachian State interim director of athletics Rick Beasley said. “The biggest winners of our great partnership with WKBC-FM are our fans, who'll continue to have the opportunity to hear the Mountaineers across the region on a 100,000-watt signal.”    

Agreements with additional Appalachian IMG Sports Network 2015-16 affiliates throughout the region are expected to be finalized in the near future.