Today, the Shan & RJ program on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan celebrated its 14-year anniversary since launching on the Audacy sports radio station. Originally dubbed New School with Shan and RJ, the program has featured a number of personalities who have come and gone over time since its debut on the station in 2011.
During the opening segment of today’s program, RJ Choppy shared his thanks while recalling how the show came to be on 105.3 The Fan.
“Fourteen years,” exclaimed Choppy. “Thank you for everyone who made it possible.”
In Shariff’s absence—he is currently on paternity leave—the program had some fun at his expense during their segment about the anniversary of the show. For example, when co-host Bobby Belt asked who would retire first from the long-standing morning program on The Fan, Choppy was quick with his response.
“Shan will retire first, he’s semi-retired now,” joked Choppy. “I got six more years of child support, and then I got to spend another 15 years recouping what I lost. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to retire. I would like to retire first, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to.”
The duo came together in 2011 as Shariff joined the station from Audacy’s The Fan AM 610 in Kansas City, while Choppy was already based in Dallas working for the now-defunct ESPN 103.3FM station. Reflecting on that time, Choppy recalled how the hiring process went for the duo with then Vice President of News-Talk-Sports Bruce Gilbert.
“We did one interview together in January of 2011,” recalled Choppy. “We sat down in Bruce’s office and just talked for about an hour.”
Following that meeting, Choppy noted that the first time the duo met in person was the Friday before their first show aired. He then recalled how, when the new opportunity at The Fan came along, he had modest expectations for what might come of it.
“I was hoping for two years,” Choppy said. “I was about to leave the industry; I was going to sales or something. I would have gotten into real estate or something.”
Now, 14 years later, Choppy expressed gratitude to all the listeners who have continued to support the show on the radio station, sharing his appreciation and optimism for the future.
“I didn’t think The Fan would last 14 years,” joked Choppy.
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