This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of when Beaver County’s first radio station, WBVP, was heard over the airwaves for the the first time on May 25, 1948.  To mark the historical event, each week, another “70th Anniversary Moment” will be showcased on the airwaves and published on the station’s online feeds.

Employers have many different reasons for deciding to go ahead and hire the new candidate applying for a job.  Sometimes it’s the resume. Sometimes it’s their experience, but on at least one occurrence, It was their three piece suit that made the difference.  This is the story of Guy Junker.

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book “Behind The Microphone –  The History of Radio in Beaver County,  PA” to be published in conjunction with the 70th anniversary celebration on May 25, 2018: “Guy Junker’s funny story begins with a station changing format and being geographically challenged.  Junker grew up in the Monongahela Valley on the other side of Pittsburgh and graduated from Baldwin High School.  His radio career got a good early start when he took a job at WEDO in McKeesport. After about a year at WEDO, the station switched to a religious format and Junker was out of a job.  He didn’t need to look far for advice on where his next career move in the media business would take him. In an April, 2018 discussion, Junker reported that one of the other players on the Penn State-McKeesport baseball team back then was Tim Herrera, and the two had become good friends because they were both journalism majors.  Following graduation, Herrera had begun working  for WMBA  and told Junker about an opening at the station.  Junker wasted no time in applying. Lucky for General Manager, Ruth Johnson at the time, Junker had no idea where Ambridge was, and didn’t realize how far away his new gig would be from his home. Otherwise, he may not have pursued an opening in Beaver County. Anyhow, he makes the journey through Pittsburgh and then North out route 65 one day in 1979 for his interview, and made quite an impression on the folks at WMBA. Bill Fontana was the Program Director and liked the way Junker sounded on his demo tape, but what sealed the deal was, as General Manager Ruth Johnson pointed out, according to Junker; “Nobody’s ever come in here in a three piece suit before”.  So, the combination of a smooth sounding, well prepared audition recording presented by a young lad sporting the latest fashion, perhaps from  Jos A. Bank and Company, was too much to resist and Junker was welcomed with open arms at WMBA. Guy Junker worked at WMBA until 1981, when he left to take on a job at WBZZ, B-94 in Pittsburgh.”

Guy Junker has had a very successful career in the media business, that in addition to the previously mentioned jobs, he excelled in  positions at The Sports News Network in Washington, D.C., KBL/Fox Sports net cable T.V. in Pittsburgh and as a sports columnist at The Pittsburgh Tribune Review before resurfacing as a radio show host in 2004 on ESPN radio in Pittsburgh.  In 2006, Junker started his current career at WTAE T.V. channel 4, in Pittsburgh, where he has served as the Sports Director until 2011 and continues to contribute as a sports anchor reporter. Junker also wrote and produced a nationally syndicated series entitled “The Penn State Football Story” from 1989 through 2011, for which he won 6 Emmy awards for “Best Sports Series”. Junker also travels with and reports on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“70th Anniversary Moments” is presented by  Abbey Carpet and Floor,  Albert’s Heating, Cooling and Plumbing,  Aliquippa Giant Eagle, The Beaver Falls Municipal Authority, Beaver Valley Auto Mall, Beaver Valley Sheet Metal, Castlebrook Development, The Community College Of Beaver County,  Farmers Building and Savings bank, Freedom United Federal Credit Union, Hank’s Frozen Custard and Mexican food, The Health Huts, Kitchen City, Laughlin Insurance Agency,  Rochester Manor and Villa and Young’s Jewelry and Coins.