As Rutgers football closes in on a highly anticipated 2024 season, Eddie Kalegi checked in with senior Kyle Monangai, the Big Ten’s leading rusher last year.
The Doak Walker award watchlist running back discussed his decision to come back to Rutgers, the squad’s new and returning pieces, including quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, lessons learned from Isiah Pacheco, and even EA Sports’ College Football ’25!
“He’s put his best foot forward every day.”@RFootball running back Kyle Monangai had high praise for Minnesota transfer QB Athan Kaliakmanis.
Members of the 1982 Rutgers women’s basketball 1982 AIAW National Championship team huddle on stage at the debut of the “Forgotten Champions” documentary about the team in October, 2022. (Source: @ForgottenChamp1 on Twitter)
The documentary “Forgotten Champions” – the story of the 1982 Rutgers women’s basketball team that won the AIAW National Championship – is playing as part of the 2024 New York Lift-Off Global Network Film Festival.
Produced by three WRSU alums – Jim Berman, Jon Newman and Geoff Sadow, all of whom covered the Lady Knights that season – the film came about after WRSU uncovered the original audio from the title game against Texas in 2017 and produced an audio documentary with the trio, as well as head coach Theresa Grentz and several players, including Mary and Patty Coyle, Chris Dailey and others.
“Forgotten Champions” was narrated by Rutgers soccer alum and World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, and made its debut in October 2022 at a premiere hosted at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. It also has aired on the Big Ten Network.
Now, it’s being shown online as part of the virtual New York film festival under the “Features” category. Fans must buy a ticket, which is $12, after which they can go online and watch the film, as well as others. Films with the most votes will go on to be voted on by the judges.
On June 7-9, Governors Ball 2024 lit up Flushing Meadows – Corona Park in New York City. A diverse collection of artists filled the weekend, who took New York City storm with performances of global hits. This year’s Governors Ball, which hosted artists from around the world, had music for everyone!
As soon as doors opened on June 7, Governors Ball had everyone on their feet. The festival hit it off with performances by Ryan Beatty and many more artists, such as Mimi Webb, Arcy Drive and Yung Gravy, who absolutely rocked their sets! I added a couple of their songs to my playlist! Dominic Fike, another highly anticipated artist and one to keep your eye on, performed some of my personal favorites — as well as songs from his recent EP “14 minutes.”
Photo Credit: N. Bradley
One of the artists I anticipated the most was Rauw Alejandro, a Puerto Rican artist whose recent releases I’ve been a huge fan of. Alejandro performed hits, such as “Espectacular,” “AL CALLAO’,” and my personal favorite “2/Catorce.” Alongside newer releases like “Touching The Sky,” Alejandro performed older hits like “Hey Lil Mama” and “Reloj.” Alejandro and his incredible backup dancers had the crowd going wild!
Photo Credit: Charles Reagan
Post Malone closed the first night of the festival with an exhilarating performance. Opening up his set with a live band and a string quartet for “Better Now,” the crowd was all riled up! I always love hearing live bands, and Post did an amazing job delivering Rock versions of his greatest hits like “rockstar (feat. 21 Savage),” and “White Iverson.”
Photo Credit: N. Bradley
One song I quickly added to my playlist was “Take What You Want (feat. Ozzy Osburn)!” Post also brought out fans to sing and play guitar for “Stay.” He closed his set with the song “Chemical,” making night one a night to remember!
Photo Credit: N. Bradley
Saturday, June 8 was packed with even more amazing performances by artists like Riovaz, Quarters of Change, and Claire Rosinkranz! After last year’s success, Governors Ball brought out another K-Pop group to the stage, P1Harmony. The boys killed it and the fans were eating it all up! As a K-pop enjoyer, I was excited to see what they would bring to the stage. The boys certainly did not fail to impress! They sang hits like “Killin’ It,” “Back Down,” “Doom Du Doom,” and “JUMP”!
Photo Credit: N. Bradley (top) & Mickey Pierre Louis (bottom)
I was lucky enough to catch Sabrina Carpenter’s stage on Saturday! Opening with “Read your Mind,” Carpenter and her stage presence had the crowd in a trance. Carpenter’s set was filled with hits, like “Feather,” “Espresso,” and “because i liked a boy.” Earlier in the week, Carpenter released a new single, “Please Please Please,” off of her upcoming album Short n’ Sweet (Be sure to check it out when it comes out!), and Governors Ball had the privilege of hearing the live debut! Closing out with an iconic outro for “Nonsense,’ Carpenter left me (and probably the rest of the crowd) in awe.
Photo Credit: Paigge Warton
The rest of the afternoon consisted of performances by d4vd, Sexyy Red, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hippo Campus, 21 Savage and TV Girl! Closing up the second night, The Killers celebrated 20 years of their debut studio album, Hot Fuss! They opened their set with ‘Somebody Told Me’ and played hits like “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” and “Smile Like You Mean It.” The Killers even brought up a fan to play the drums for “For Reasons Unknown”! I watched their set from the back of GA with my friends and it was such an incredible experience. Growing up listening to The Killers, this was a moment I will never forget!
Photo Credit: Chris Phelps
The last day of Governors Ball was by far one of my favorites! From Palestinian artists Elyanna and Saint Levant, to Malcolm Todd and Kevin Abstract, Sunday was filled with artists who absolutely rocked the stage. Many bands, such as Geese and Beach Fossils, also put on an incredible performacne!
Photo Credit: Deanie Chen (top) & N. Bradley (bottom)
Breakout artist Chappell Roan was a set you did not want to miss. Chappell came to the stage in an apple, dressed up in drag inspired by Lady Liberty. Opening up her set with “Femininomenon,” the crowd went wild. She performed lots of hits from “HOT TO GO!” to “Good Luck, Babe!” and even performed an unreleased song, “The Subway”! After watching her incredible vocals and performance, I added several of her songs to my playlist!
Photos by: N. Bradley (top) & Anna Downs (bottom)
Reneé Rapp, Stephen Sanchez, Faye Webster, and Peso Pluma hit the stage shortly after Chappell Roan’s breathtaking performance. Finally, SZA closed out the festival. I was so excited to watch her perform, especially after not being able to make it to her previous tour.
SZA celebrated 5 years of her debut studio album Ctrl! She opened her set with “Seek & Destroy” and sang many songs off of her first album, such as “Love Galore” and “Broken Clocks.” I was left in shock the second I heard the intro to “Ghost in the Machine!” I could not believe I was witnessing one of my favorite songs live! Like the day before, I watched SZA’s set from the back of GA, where I had a full view of her set and could dance the night away. SZA went on to perform many more hits, such as “All the Stars,” “Kiss Me More,” and “Rich Baby Daddy.” SZA wrapped up her set, and the festival, with “Good Days” and “20 Something.”
What an incredible way to finish up 3 exhilarating days. This was the first festival I had ever been to, and it certainly will not be my last! I loved discovering new artists, and being able to witness some of my favorite songs live was an experience that I cannot forget. I’m super excited to see what next year’s Governors Ball will have in store for fans!
On April 25th, 105.5 WDHA held its third annual Rock the Rock Fest at the iconic Prudential Center in Newark. A festival for rock lovers across the state, iconic bands Staind and Seether prepared to deliver historic performances. Meanwhile, fans like me felt nothing but excitement for a long night of rock music. I’m happy to report that I left the show thrilled after discovering new artists and witnessing great performances from others I was more familiar with.
Photo Credit: Evan Leong
WDHA’s Program Director Terrie Carr introduced songwriter and guitarist Ayron Jones and his band to kick off a long, energetic night. They were the only artist I was completely unfamiliar with entering the show, but I truly enjoyed their performance. In particular, I enjoyed Jones’ gritty vocal delivery. Their songs also featured diverse guitar lines with twangy, shimmering cleans and upbeat, overdriven leads. Jones’ band members guitar and bass players were animated and full of smiles. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, and I’m excited to check out more of their material. They set the stage well for the next band on the bill.
Photo Credit: Evan Leong
That band was Dayseeker, one of my favorite artists – and a band I was so excited to see perform again. Known for their sad, synth-laden alternative metal, they were a great change of pace from Jones’ upbeat rhythms. I last saw Dayseeker in New York City with metalcore band Bad Omens, where they put on one of the most emotional sets I’ve ever experienced. This performance was no different. Vocalist Rory Rodriguez put on a standout performance, as I’ve come to expect. His powerful belted vocals in songs like “Burial Plot” and “Neon Grave” conveyed so much pain and emotion. If there’s ever a band that can get you through a tough time, it’s Dayseeker. And I’m thankful I had another opportunity to experience them live.
Photo Credit: Evan Leong
The next band absolutely blew me away, British rock quartet The Struts. They put on one of the bounciest, danciest rock-and-roll sets I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing. Prior to the show, I had heard a couple of songs by the band, but I wasn’t familiar with their music. However, their live set was an otherworldly experience (and now as I write this review, I’m voraciously digging into their discography). While every act was great, The Struts may have orchestrated my favorite performance of the night. Their playful vocal lines and upbeat rhythms were accompanied by a charismatic performance full of dancing and smiling. It was such a joy to watch, and their performances of “Kiss This” and “Primadonna Like Me” were energetic and unforgettable.
Photo Credit: Evan Leong
Hailing from South Africa, Seether has been an icon of the hard rock/alternative metal scene for over two decades. Their experience is evident on stage; their performances sounded nearly identical to the studio versions of the songs. I was surprised when the band pulled out their hit song “Broken” early in the set. While photographing the band, I heard a united choir of voices behind me as fans sang the words. Toward the end of the set, “Fake It” elicited cheers from the crowd, and I saw plenty of fans bouncing up and down in the crowd. Their set was fun, and I enjoyed my first time seeing the iconic band perform.
Photo Credit: Evan Leong
After a long wait and budding anticipation, the curtain dropped for esteemed rock band Staind as they launched into “Lowest in Me,” which at the time of its release was the band’s first single following a 12-year hiatus. What impressed me the most was the cohesion in their performance. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis displayed a cool, collected rockstar swagger; he casually smoked a cigarette while alternating between deep, raspy cleans and distorted screams. Lead guitarist Mike Mushok also stood out to me, bouncing around on stage with boundless energy. Fans jumped around for the entirety of Staind’s performance, and the band closed with “It’s Been Awhile” and “Mudshovel,” two defining songs in the post-grunge genre.
Rock the Rock Fest may have been a long night, but its relentless energy kept me excited throughout. The diversity between the bands kept me on my toes, and I felt privileged to be able to cover a show at an arena as iconic as Prudential Center. I’d also like to thank WDHA for their generosity in allowing me to organize a ticket giveaway for the show. I had an excellent experience, and I’m excited to see what next year’s Rock the Rock Fest has in store.
New York’s iconic festival Gov Ball will return in 2024, headlined by SZA, Post Malone, 21 Savage, The Killers, Peso Pluma, and Rauw Alejandro.
Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York City, other strong acts will perform, such as fan factories Sabrina Carpenter, Dominc Fike, and Reneé Rap.
Credit: Gov Ball
Gov Ball has something for everyone this year.
Fans of rap will be excited to see Yung Gravy, Teezo Touchdown, Sexyy Red, and many other acts that will bring the energy. Fans of more relaxed alternative and indie music will get to witness memorable performances from Faye Webster and Beach Fossils.
Attendees can look forward to amazing food and beverages, with an entire food lineup.
Boston Calling is back for Memorial Day Weekend this summer! Many fans from across the world will be traveling to Boston to see this year’s lineup. This year’s headliners include Ed Sheeran, The Killers, and Tyler Childers.
Westfield native and WRSU alum Mike Emanuel (RC ’90) has been selected as one of five influential Rutgers University graduates to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
Emanuel was a prominent member of the WRSU Sports staff in the late ’80s, graduating in 1990 with a degree in communication. He’s currently Fox News Channel’s chief Washington correspondent, and a co-anchor of Fox News Live. He joined the network in 1997, working out of Los Angeles, and now resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
Also to be inducted:
Jeffrey Bluestone, and internationally recognized immunologist
Wade Henderson, a civil rights veteran and advisor on the subject to major corporations and non-profits
State Sen. Ray Lesniak, who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 through 2018
Patricia Devitt Risse, who founded a company that developed multiple innovative cancer treatments
The April 25th ceremony will be held at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, NJ.
On Saturday November 11, Couch performed a sold out show at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, New York. The venue was one that I had never seen before. There were multiple bars surrounding the general admission pit and a bowling alley right next to it! I thought it was such a cool set up! Will definitely be checking that out in the future!
The opening act for Couch was Alisa Amador, a bilingual singer songwriter from Massachusetts. From the moment she went on stage, I was in awe. Alisa, along with her band, played several of her original songs, both in English and Spanish. Some of my favorite songs from her setlist was Timing and one of her Spanish songs which I, unfortunately, cannot remember the name of (so sad). I loved watching her set and I even added one of her songs to my rotation playlist!
In the past two decades, few pop punk bands have been more influential than All Time Low. With tracks like iconic emo anthem “Dear Maria, Count Me In” and recent TikTok sensation “Monsters,” the band’s discography of catchy punk rock has inspired millions since their inception in 2003. The Maryland pop punkers easily sold out Sayreville’s Starland Ballroom on September 15th, despite it being the first night of a back-to-back at the same venue. Though anticipation was at an all time high, fans still left awestruck after All Time Low’s electric performance.
The show kicked off with a great set from singer-songwriter Lauran Hibberd and her band. Her energy was exactly what fans needed from a first opener. Hibberd’s set was full of smiling and dancing, and her performance of her single “Honda Civic” was fun and bustling with energy.
I had high expectations for this show. As a fan of both headliners, I know that Trivium and Beartooth are veterans, masters of their crafts. But they easily exceeded my expectations and assembled one of the greatest live shows I’ve ever witnessed. I’m currently stationed in California, and I had the opportunity to cover their double headliner here at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater.
As fans streamed into Market Street’s historic venue, the atmosphere was beautiful – partly cloudy weather, a fresh breeze, a light chatter as fans formed a line down the block. Fans repped Trivium’s red and gold “Deadmen and Dragons” tour merch, as well as purple and tie-dye Beartooth shirts.
At 6:30, hard rock band Archetypes Collide kicked the show off. They’re a band I wasn’t too familiar with, but they quickly won me over with catchy vocal melodies and a fantastic stage presence. The highlights, for me, were their excellent cover of Linkin Park’s classic “One Step Closer,” as well as their opening song “Parasite.” The band’s youthful energy was contagious, and they set the tone for the rest of the show.
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