UA’s WVUA-7 Takes Top Honors from Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s WVUA-7 won more awards from the Alabama Associated Press Broadcasters Association than any other television station in the state.

WVUA-7 is one of only two television stations in the country that is owned by a public university. AP member broadcasters in West Virginia judged the contest, with entries from the year 2002.

UA purchased WVUA-7, originally WJRD Channel 7, in July of 2001. A one-time donation from Board of Trustee member and UA alumnus Paul Bryant Jr. covered the acquisition costs of the station.

Since December of that year the channel has been broadcasting from the basement of Reese Phifer Hall. The station officially changed its call letters to “WVUA” on Jan. 21, 2002, during the 6 p.m. newscast.

WVUA-7 is an affiliate of the PAX network, a self-described “family-friendly” network that offers original programming like “DOC” and “Sue Thomas FBEye,” in addition to first run re-airs of “Diagnosis Murder.”

WVUA-7 maintains its status as a commercial endeavor and is financially independent from the University.

As with KMOU, an NBC affiliate owned by the University of Missouri, the University uses the station for training students for future careers in broadcasting. In addition, WVUA-7 has been providing Tuscaloosa with more localized, in-depth news broadcasts.

The awards are as follows:

Most Outstanding News Operation (Overall Award)

Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast: Lynn Brooks, Ginger Loggins, Lorei Velazco, Brad Ashby, Rebekah Caldwell, Philip Coleman, Jon Mason, Gary Harris, Sharleta Castleberry and Yas Richardson

Best Documentary: Rebekah Caldwell, Jon Mason, Jerome Davis, Scott Spence and Jennifer Hamner

Best Series: Philip Coleman, Rebekah Caldwell, Jerome Davis and Yas Richardson

Best Spot News Story: Jeremy King and Todd Wade

Best Feature Story: Nick Kenney and Todd Wade

Extraordinary Coverage of a Planned Event: Rebekah Caldwell, Lynn Brooks, Philip Coleman, Ginger Loggins, Brad Ashby; Jon Mason, Sarah Black, Kristy Buy, Sharleta Castleberry, Yas Richardson, Gary Harris and Scott Spence

Best Weather Anchor: Jon Mason

Best Sports Anchor: Gary Harris