Portions of this release courtesy of the AU and SVSU Sports Information Departments
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University will host Ashland University this Thursday (Oct. 20th) in a game that is part of the Division II and CBS Sports Network six-game football television package for the 2011 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM and fans will now be able to watch on either CBS College Sports, Fox Sports Detroit or Sports Time Ohio.
“This game provides a tremendous platform to showcase two programs (Ashland & SVSU) that have a rich history in our league as well as on a national level with Division II," stated GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson. "The GLIAC is truly appreciative for this opportunity to work with the NCAA to provide an outstanding student-athlete experience.”
This contest will be one of six games that CBS and the NCAA will produce and broadcast in 2011 that will be aired live on CBS Sports Network, syndicated on regional and local networks and simulcast live on www.NCAA.com. This is the sixth year of Division II and CBS Sports Network's partnership to provide Division II schools the opportunity to have live national television exposure for their football and basketball programs. CBS Sports Network is available to over 95 million United States households through a variety of cable and satellite providers.
"This is a tremendous honor to be representing SVSU, the GLIAC and Division II in this nationally televised game against Ashland," commented Athletic Director Mike Watson. "This game will give us (Saginaw Valley), Ashland and the GLIAC the opportunity to showcase to college football fans the high level of talent that plays in our schools and conference."
"This is the next great step for our football program," said AU director of athletics Bill Goldring. "We're very grateful that the GLIAC and NCAA has recognized how far our football program has come under Coach (Lee) Owens. We're gratified that we were selected for a national TV game."
The Cardinals and Eagles will both be making their first appearance as a part of the CBS Sports Network partnership. In total, 10 of the 12 schools playing this season will be making their first appearance. Central Washington and Indiana (Pa.) have each appeared previously.
"Anytime you can play on television it is a huge deal, but to be playing a team like Ashland, a team that has been one of the premier teams in the conference the past several years, makes it that much bigger of a game," commented head football coach Jim Collins.
"I think this is great exposure for the program, the university and the conference," said Owens. "We're looking forward to it. Saginaw Valley is a great opportunity and a great place to play. There's a lot of football to be played before then, but this should be a game with a lot of significance for us."