Running on Adrenaline — and Philanthropy

The notion of service to the community is not a new concept to most radio stations. The College’s student-run 106-VIC is no exception. The station completed its 14th annual 50-Hour Marathon on March 26, and by the time the dust had settled its student staff had raised more than $2,000 for the Finger Lakes Independence Center. The Ithaca-based organization provides support, training, and related services to people with disabilities.

VIC DJs Mike Lieberman and Eric Schoenfeld, both seniors, stayed awake — and surprisingly alert — for the entire weekend, which featured nine remote broadcasts from locations such as Collegetown Bagels, Rack ’n’ Roll Billiards, McDonald’s, and the Rink. In addition to the two DJs, the "street team" of sophomores Jesse Kaplan and John Langeler phoned in to the station from various locations, keeping the marathoners awake and entertained throughout the weekend. (Photo by Chris Wheatley '81: Live from Center Ithaca — VIC marathoners Lieberman, Langeler, kaplan, Schoenfeld.)

"I’ve been involved with the marathon all four years," Schoenfeld says. "But I never appreciated what the street team does until about 2:30 Sunday morning."

The marathon kicked off at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24, with a live broadcast from the ice cream social in the Campus Center that marked the conclusion of the College’s annual Celebration of Service (see story).

Vying for the Chance to Go Sleepless

The 50-Hour Marathon began as a VIC staff bowling tournament in 1986. Teams made a donation in order to participate, and the first year they raised $40 for Loaves and Fishes, a local soup kitchen.

The following year the staff came up with a novel plan for promoting the radio station on campus and off, while giving something back to the community it serves. The idea was to select two DJs who would stay on air for 50 hours with no breaks and no sleep. Local businesses, campus organizations, and individuals sponsor hours, with all proceeds going to a local charity.

Since 1987 the 50-Hour Marathon has become the biggest event of the year for VIC, with DJ pairs vying for the opportunity to host it. An important goal of the marathon is to encourage community involvement among College students, as well as provide publicity for the charitable organization. Groups supported by 106-VIC in past years include AIDS Work of Tompkins County, Challenge Industries, the Task Force for Battered Women, Hospicare of Tompkins County, the Ithaca Youth Bureau One-to-One Program, and Gadabout Transportation Service.

The preparation for the marathon begins in the fall, when the staff researches local human service agencies to select a needy organization. Once the group is selected, planning for the event involves nearly every station staff member, with students handling publicity, public relations, technical coordination, remote site selection, production, and sales. The marathon is aided by WICB-FM and ICTV, both of which simulcast a majority of the weekend’s activities.

DJs Lieberman and Schoenfeld both say it was an unforgettable experience. "The support of the VIC staff, the Park School, the College, and the community kept us going," Lieberman says. "I began to fade around hour 35, but knowing that we were supporting the work of the independence center really helped me catch a second wind."