New network plans to increase visibility for college sports

A new 24-hour cable network devoted exclusively to college sports is expected to debut in the first quarter of 2003.

The National College Sports Network (NCSN) will be launched by Brian Bedol and Steven Greenberg -- who founded Classic Sports Network before selling it to ESPN (now ESPN Classic) -- and Chris Bevilacqua, a former Nike executive.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring to a devoted and passionate audience of tens of millions of college alumni and sports fans the very best college sports that this country has to offer," said Bedol. "NCSN will be the first network to showcase marquee events, rivalries and tournaments across a broad spectrum of colleges and sports."

NCSN recently announced a multiyear programming agreement with the Big 12 Conference, giving the network the rights to cover up to 19 different men's and women's conference championships.

"NCSN fills an important need for college conferences by providing exposure to high-quality sports events that many times are not televised," said Kevin Weiberg, commissioner of the Big 12.

Other leagues that have signed multiyear agreements with NCSN include the Big East, Big Ten, Atlantic 10, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southland, Mid-Continent, Big South and West Coast Conferences.

NCSN also recently announced that it had acquired the exclusive rights to football games featuring a consortium of Division I-AA schools.

This seven-year agreement will take effect with the 2003 football season, and it includes 90 colleges and universities.

"On behalf of the group of conferences that have entered into this agreement, I want to express our excitement about being a part of the first national I-AA conference package," said Linda Bruno, Atlantic 10 commissioner. "All of us believe that this will become a benchmark in
I-AA football history, and we look forward to the increased visibility NCSN offers our programs, and most importantly, our student-athletes."

Lehigh takes variety of contests to the Web

In just its second year of offering an extensive Web-casting package, Lehigh University has announced that it will stream at least 200 of its athletics events onto its Web site, including men's and women's basketball, football, wrestling, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, field hockey, baseball, softball, and men's and women's lacrosse.

This will be the second year Lehigh has streamed broadcasts of non-ticket-selling events onto the Internet.

"Lehigh fans, parents and alumni have always supported our athletics programs, and we want them to continue to be able to do so, no matter where they may be," said Glenn Hofmann, Lehigh associate athletics director. "We have heard so many positive comments from people who have listened to our football, wrestling and basketball games on the Web, and we wanted to afford similar opportunities to as many of our fans and supporters in as many sports as possible."

Quinnipiac goes from Braves to Bobcats

When the Quinnipiac athletics teams take the field this fall, they will be the Bobcats, not the Braves.

The school recently announced the new name and unveiled its new logo.

Quinnipiac had decided to drop the Braves back in December after its board of trustees voted to discontinue the name, partly in response to concerns that it could be offensive to American Indians.

Since December, Quinnipiac officials have hosted forums with students, faculty, staff, alumni, student-athletes and coaches, encouraging the suggestion of a new nickname, mascot and colors.

"We're very excited about our new nickname and image," said Athletics Director Jack McDonald. "This new nickname, the marks and mascot will allow us to increase the fantastic school spirit that we have experienced since moving to Division I three years ago.

"We believe the Bobcats will help strengthen Quinnipiac athletics, and in so doing, create an emblem our athletes and fans will wear with honor and pride."

-- Compiled by Kay Hawes

Number crunching

Looking back

Cardinal coverage

The State Farm Insurance logo is red, so it makes sense that the Stanford Cardinal would play a dominant role in the eight years of the State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic.

Stanford won its second State Farm Classic August 24 at Minnesota with a four-game win over the host Gophers. Northern Iowa and Pepperdine also participated in the event.

The annual tournament, which has been regarded as the traditional start of the women's volleyball season, is conducted by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators and sponsored by State Farm, among other corporations.

Stanford, which made its third appearance in the tournament this year, won the first event in 1995 after downing California State University, Northridge, in the semifinals and host University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in the championship.

Nebraska, also red-clad, has made a record-tying four appearances, including two as host. The Cornhuskers won last year's tournament.

Pennsylvania State University also has made four appearances in the Classic. Though the Nittany Lions have not hosted the event, they did win the 1997 tournament.

Tournament history

1995 at Nebraska

Champion -- Stanford

1996 at Illinois State

Champion -- Hawaii

1997 at Stanford

Champion -- Penn State

1998 at New Mexico

Champion -- Long Beach State

1999 at Nebraska

Champion -- Pacific (California)

2000 at Florida

Champion -- Colorado State

2001 at Pacific (California)

Champion -- Nebraska

2002 at Minnesota

Champion -- Stanford