MACOMB, Ill. - Fans throughout Illinois, Iowa and Missouri can listen to every Western Illinois Football game during the 2012 season with the expansion of the Leatherneck Sports Network. Athletics Director Dr. Tim Van Alstine announced four networks joining the flagship station of WIUS 88.3 FM this fall.

Western has partnered with Prairie Radio Communications to broadcast the 2012 Leatherneck Football season. With the new partnership, Western's games will now reach north of Dubuque, Iowa; south towards the St. Louis area; west near Iowa City, Iowa, and Columbia and Macon, Missouri; and east to Peoria and Bloomington. Van Alstine noted the importance of what this unprecedented radio coverage will mean for the football program and Athletics Department.

"Our expanded radio coverage is a direct result of the interest in Leatherneck football in this region. These new affiliates give the Leatherneck Sports Network a broadcast signal reaching into four states, which is the largest broadcast footprint in our radio history. We are very excited to have Prairie Radio Communications as our newest broadcast partner," said Van Alstine.

The Leatherneck Sports Network affiliates with Prairie Radio Communications include:

- WPWQ 106.7 FM in Quincy: The 'Oldies Superstation' is a 25,000 watt FM station that covers western Illinois, northeastern Missouri, and southeastern Iowa.

- KWBZ 107.5 FM in Monroe City, Missouri: A 10,000 watt station covers the northeast corner of Missouri, reaching from Canton, Hannibal, Montgomery City, Moberly and near Columbia.

- WAIK 1590 AM in Galesburg: A 5,000 watt daytime station that extends throughout east-central Illinois, including Peoria, Monmouth, Macomb and near Springfield.

- KCLN 1390 AM in Clinton, Iowa: Coverage for this 1,000 watt station goes from Clinton down to the Quad Cities, over to Kewanee and Princeton, and into Wisconsin.

The Leathernecks open the 2012 season at home against Butler on August 30th. Kickoff at Hanson Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.