About WBZ-FM | Touchdowns For Technology

For 14 years WBCN 104.1 in Boston was the official flagship station of three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. As a flagship, WBCN was one of the FM broadcasting pioneers in professional sports. From 1995 to 2008, football fans in greater Boston had the pleasure of listening to the call of every Patriots game in stereo sound, WBCN brought fans closer to the action, delivering the many sideline sounds of each game. In July of 2009 it was announced that WBCN would be no more, stepping aside to make room for Boston’s first FM all sports station—WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub. Fans throughout New England can once again catch all the Patriots action by tuning into 98.5 or one of the 35 different radio affiliates that simulcast each game on The Patriots Rock Radio Network. As the network's flagship, WBZ-FM offers Patriots fans the most complete and comprehensive coverage on the dial. In all, they commit over eight hours of programming to each and every Patriots game, kicking off three hours before each game and wrapping up with a two-hour post-game show. When fans tune in for each Patriots game on WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub, they are treated to two world-class teams – the one on the field and the one in the broadcast booth. For the past 19 consecutive seasons, Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti have teamed together to provide fans with in-depth game analysis and complete play-by-play detail of every Patriots game.

For most Patriots fans, there has been but one "voice of the New England Patriots" and it belongs to Gil Santos. For 33 of the last 44 seasons, Santos has articulated the sights, sounds and all the play-by-play action of over 450 games to millions of Patriots fans. Now in his 33rd year as voice of the Patriots, Santos is tied with the Philadelphia Eagles' veteran play-by-play announcer, Merrill Reese, as the two most tenured radio broadcasters in the NFL. Santos began calling games for the Boston Patriots at Fenway Park in 1966. He was the voice of the Patriots for the next 14 seasons (1966-1979). He returned to the booth in 1991 and has broadcast every Patriots game since then. The veteran play-by-play broadcaster recently retired as sports director at WBZ-FM's sister station, WBZ-AM new radio in Boston, where he earned dozens of honors and awards for his reporting, sports casting and play-by-play excellence.

If Santos is recognized as the "voice" of the New England Patriots, his long-time broadcast partner Gino Cappelletti might be simply the most recognized Patriot in franchise history. Cappelletti, who is entering his 28th season as a broadcast analyst, first joined the team as one of the original Boston Patriots in 1960. Since then, Cappelletti has been affiliated with the team for 42 of the last 49 seasons as a player (11 years), coach (3) and broadcaster (27). It would be hard to find anyone more knowledgeable on the subject of the Patriots than Cappelletti. After an 11-year all-star career (1960-70) as a wide receiver and a kicker, he retired as the AFL's all-time leading scorer with 1,130 points. The Patriots Hall of Famer currently ranks sixth among the Patriots all-time leading receivers entering the 2009 season. Following his playing career, he spent nine seasons (1972-78) in the broadcast booth with Santos before returning to the sidelines for three seasons (1979-81) as the special teams coach on Ron Erhardts's staff. He returned to the broadcast booth in 1988 and was re-united with Santos in 1991. Together, the two have developed on-air rapport that is unrivaled in the NFL, to the delight of Patriots fans everywhere.

Coverage on WBZ-FM 98.5 begins three hours before each game and concludes with a two-hour post-game show. Gary Tanguay hosts both shows and welcomes weekly guests who offer unique insight and analysis prior to and immediately following each game.

Russ Holden, Belmont High School

“Thank you. Chris [9^th grade winning essay writer] was so happy and proud; we all had a wonderful time. The computers will be well used. Some will go into a new music lab, and the others into a room for students who need assistance.”

Mary Frangipane, James F. Leonard Middle School

“Kaspersky Lab is known for its dedication to online safety – but it should also be recognized as a Company that values the importance of education within the classroom. Kaspersky’s gift of a new computer lab will go a long way to improve the quality of our kids’ education and will help to give them the education they deserve.”

Judy Riggs, Pilgrim Area Collaborative Program

“We are excited about receiving new computers and are proud and humbled. Our special needs program has become dependent on the use of technology. With technology changing so rapidly it becomes difficult to keep up with it. We are thankful for companies like Kaspersky Lab who offer support for education!”

Timothy Sheasgreen, Turkey Hill Middle School

"I truly believe that the kids if Lunenburg are a special kind of student because, despite the lack of technology based resources made available to them, they are driven to use every advantage they can to propel them to success."

Lauren Biernacki, Thompson Middle School

“Since our town is small, we don’t have a lot of money. However we have a lot of students. This means we can’t afford to buy new computers, or replace old ones. All of our computers are old!”

Judy Gangel, Randolph Public Schools

“I have always believed and acted as if one person truly can make a difference. Winning this contest demonstrates that. Thanks, Kaspersky and WBCN! I appreciate your having chosen my first down for ‘Team Randolph’ as a winner.”

Steve Orenberg, President, Kaspersky Lab

“Kaspersky Lab is really thrilled that ‘Touchdowns for Technology’ will have such a direct and meaningful impact on thousands of students in New England schools. Every touchdown is even that much sweeter knowing the impact it would have on the kids in our region.”

Patti Aull, Tiverton Middle School

“I cannot thank you enough. In strict budget times, a windfall of equipment is something a school does not see often. In a world where money and growth are in the forefront, Kaspersky Lab took this opportunity to give back to the community.”