FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2013
Courtesy of Saint Anselm Athletics Communications
Crosstown Manchester rivals to appear on
CBS Sports Network on Saturday, February 8
MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Saint Anselm College and Southern New Hampshire University men's basketball teams will square off in a nationally televised broadcast on Saturday, February 8. The game will air live on CBS Sports Network at 11:30 a.m. from Stoutenburgh Gymnasium on the campus of Saint Anselm.
To find the channel in your area, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com/channel-finder.
"Division II is excited to partner with CBS Sports Network for an eighth basketball season showcasing our student-athletes, conferences and athletic programs," said Terri Steeb Gronau, NCAA vice president of Division II. "Not only does the attraction of playing in front of a national audience enhance the student-athlete experience, it also creates a unique game day atmosphere that extends throughout campus and into the surrounding community."
The game, which will be the fifth of the 2013-14 NCAA II men's basketball television package, will feature Northeast-10 Conference and crosstown rivals that are separated by less than seven miles. Saint Anselm won last year's NE-10 regular-season title, while So. New Hampshire captured the conference championship.
"We are excited to once again partner with Division II in showcasing Northeast-10 teams on national television," said Northeast-10 commissioner Julie Ruppert. "We are especially excited for this opportunity to highlight not only our defending regular-season and postseason basketball champions, but also to shine the light on the city of Manchester. It's not every day two institutions that share the same city get to share the spotlight of national television."
After the two schools partnered to host the NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional in Manchester last season, but never had the chance to meet on the court, excitement should be running high in the Queen City for this rare chance.
"I am delighted by the opportunity for Saint Anselm to showcase its magnificent campus," Saint Anselm President Dr. Steven DiSalvo said. "The student atmosphere promises to be highly charged as we welcome CBS Sports Network to Saint Anselm."
Added Anthony Fallacaro, So. New Hampshire Director of Athletics and Recreation, "Having this game be a part of this year's Division II television package is a great opportunity for both schools, as well as the Northeast-10 Conference. Both schools have a rich basketball tradition and I am excited to have the opportunity for our players to play in front of a national audience."
Both teams' respective coaches are also thrilled that their programs were chosen as part of the package.
"We are pleased, not only to be playing in a nationally-televised game, but also to have the opportunity to showcase our wonderful campus," said Saint Anselm head coach Keith Dickson. "Matching up against our crosstown rival is just an added bonus to what should be a special afternoon here on the Hilltop."
Stan Spirou, So. New Hampshire head coach, echoed those sentiments. "It's an honor to have a network with the stature of CBS Sports Network to include our program on their basketball package. To have two rival schools within seven miles of one another competing on national television shows the stature that both programs have reached."
– #NE10 –
