In 1968, in a tiny room next to the Vanier residence laundromat, Radio York was born between rinse cycles.

    An eclectic bunch of students took turns spinning tunes by groups like the Moody Blues and Iron Butterfly. YR FM (as it was then known) was on-air.

    Bob Wolfe (BA'74) initiated Radio York, recruiting volunteer staff from all Faculties - Arts, Fine Arts, Science and Law. At the time, anyone interested could join. Most had few radio skills, and there was only a $3,500 annual budget.

    "Radio York was a beginning for us ­ a coming of age," says Fran Handelson (BFA '72), who ran the radio's administration office. "We didn't know what we were doing, but it worked anyway."

    Back then, broadcasts aired through a closed-circuit system of speakers (often turned off, or missing volume knobs) placed in pubs, offices, common rooms and residences around campus. Within two years the budget increased to $20,000, and the station moved to larger quarters on the second floor of Vanier.

    "People used their connections to round up equipment and solicit free LPs from major record labels; they hammered away and painted the walls to build a proper radio station. What was fascinating was the number of hours people put into it," says Jamie Crookston (BFA '72), one of Radio York's founders.

    By 1972 the radio crew had built what was then a state-of-the-art station as good as, and in some cases, better than, commercial ones. Another Radio York founder, Arts student, Mike Fletcher, says it was so well done that the student council questioned where their $250,000 worth of free radio equipment came from.

    The founders of Radio York have since moved on, and RY FM has evolved into CHRY FM. But the spirit of Radio York didn't die. About 10 years after he left York, Fletcher, who longed for a reunion, rounded up the old crew. Now, every year, for the past 15 years, almost all of the 38 original members have met for lunch to celebrate the connection.

    "There was something special about that experience," says Crookston. "Because everyone pitched in and built that station, a bond developed. I doubt there's been anything else at York that has had that kind of sticking power."

Photo: Nik Sarros