NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University Athletics Department is preparing for its first season of school-produced broadcasts on the ESPN Family of Networks.
"Launching Purple Eagles athletic home events on the ESPN platform has been a testament to the power of collaboration," said Director of Athletics
Simon Gray. "Several members of our department have teamed with professionals throughout our campus, specifically Academic Affairs, Information Technology, Communications, Facility Services and, most importantly, students. These broadcasts provide the perfect experiential learning lab for Niagara University students from several academic disciplines."
Niagara's enhanced game experience, which includes three high-definition LED video boards in its athletic venues and a renovated video production studio in Dunleavy Hall, is thanks to the generosity of Bill McKnight ('66), president of Automated Petroleum and Energy Co., and his wife, Kathy, who gifted Niagara University Athletics with $1 million to transform the gameday experience.
Each of the upgrades will allow communication studies, sport management and other applicable majors practical experiences in gameday operations, including roles as camera operators, technical directors, assistant directors, graphics producers, video and replay operators and sideline reporters.
For the fall season, all of NU's home volleyball matches will be broadcasted live on ESPN networks. There will be four ESPN3 productions and five matches will air on ESPN+. The matches are accessible through the ESPN app and on ESPN.com.
ESPN3 works with participating cable and high-speed internet providers and users will be able to access games through their existing cable or internet logins. An ESPN+ subscription can be purchased through the ESPN app or ESPN.com.
The first ESPN broadcast will be against crosstown rival Canisius on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.
All Niagara University men's and women's basketball home games will also air on the ESPN networks via Niagara University's school production. The network schedule will be announced at a later date.
As part of the enhanced school production initiatives, Niagara University Athletics has added a new position to the staff with the addition of
Kyle Barker, a recent graduate of Niagara University, to the department as the Coordinator of Broadcast and Multimedia Production. He joins the rebranded Strategic Communications department led by
Derick Thornton (Assistant Athletic Director/Strategic Communications & Engagement) with
Breanna Jacobs (Assistant Director/Public Relations) and
Matt Birt (Assistant Director/Digital Media) completing the staff.
ESPN Volleyball Broadcast Schedule