By: 887thepulse.com Staff
Rock A Thon is coming back to 88.7 The Pulse, and we are excited to announce that the 48 hour live broadcast fundraiser will take place from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26, 2026. As the student powered radio station at the East Valley Institute of Technology, The Pulse continues to give young broadcasters a place to learn, grow, and perform on an industry level. Rock A Thon is the signature event that lets our students showcase their skills while rallying support from alumni, listeners, families, media partners, and the community.
The first ever Rock A Thon in 2025 set the tone for what student powered radio can do. Throughout the nonstop weekend, EVIT students ran the show from start to finish. They brought high energy programming, live DJ sets, original content, interviews, special features, and live musical performances. The event highlighted the strength of EVIT’s hands on training, and it created memorable moments with celebrity guests, alumni broadcasters, local performers, and media professionals. It also raised meaningful support that directly strengthened our station and our students’ educational experience.
Building on that momentum, Rock A Thon 2026 will introduce an exciting new addition. This year, we are expanding the musical experience with the Rock A Thon Live Concert Series, broadcast from the EVIT auditorium throughout the weekend. The series will feature current EVIT musicians, alumni artists, and local performers from around the Valley. For the first time, the public will be invited to attend these shows in person. Every performance will also be broadcast live on 88.7 The Pulse, giving students real world experience in live event production, audio engineering, and multi platform broadcasting.
Rock A Thon thrives because of the people who support it. Alumni are invited to return to the station that helped shape their careers. Media professionals are welcome to share their expertise, join interviews, mentor students, or contribute on air content. Local musicians and artists can apply to perform in the new concert series, bringing live entertainment to the weekend. Businesses and organizations are invited to join as underwriting sponsors, helping fund the equipment, technology, and training that keep our student powered station strong.
Your support makes a measurable difference. Donations and underwriting contributions help maintain and improve our professional studios, upgrade essential broadcast equipment, and expand training opportunities for students in radio, journalism, podcasting, storytelling, sports broadcasting, audio production, engineering, and digital media. 88.7 The Pulse reaches more than three million potential listeners across the Phoenix metro area and has been recognized twice as the High School Radio Station of the Year. None of that is possible without community partners who believe in the power of student media.
So mark your calendars.
Rock A Thon 2026
April 24 to April 26, 2026
Live on 88.7 The Pulse, 887thepulse.com, and our app 88.7 The Pulse AZ App
For anyone interested in getting involved, participating on the air, performing live, mentoring students, or becoming an underwriting sponsor, please reach out to:
Michael Mallace, General Manager
88.7 The Pulse, East Valley Institute of Technology
mmallace@evit.edu | 480.661.4049
Rock A Thon is more than a fundraiser. It is a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and the future of broadcasting. The energy that fills the station during those 48 hours creates connections and confidence that students carry with them long after the weekend ends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for a bigger and more impactful Rock A Thon in 2026.
