UND athletics again will be heavily featured on the Midco Sports Network in 2013-14.
The networked announced Monday that at least 42 UND athletic contests will be broadcast live. And 36 of the telecasts will be produced in high definition, making them the first HD home broadcasts in UND athletics history.
There will be another first for UND athletics this season. A 30-minute show devoted to UND men's hockey also is scheduled for MidcoSN. The show, with UND coach Dave Hakstol and host Dan Hammer, will air at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays on MidcoSN.
MidcoSN's live broadcast lineup includes all seven of UND's home football games and 18 men's hockey games, as well as select volleyball, women's hockey and men's and women's basketball home games.
Along with the new hockey show, MidcoSN programming also will include: UND Insider Weekly, Through These Doors, and UND Sports Extra.
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"This year's partnership with Midco Sports Network means our fans will enjoy high definition for nearly our entire broadcast package, a year earlier than previously envisioned, and our fans will see even more original UND Athletics programming this year," said UND athletic director Brian Faison.
MidcoSN officials also said they are pleased to carry UND athletics again this year.
"Midco Sports network is pleased to continue its partnership with University of North Dakota," said Mark Powell, vice president of business solutions for Midcontinent Communications. "UND Athletics is a staple of the network's development and growth. We are pleased to bring several games in quality, high definition during the 2013 -2014 season and look forward to producing original programs every week with UND Sports Extra and our new show, North Dakota Hockey with Dave Hakstol."
Hosted by UND television voice Dan Hammer, UND Sports Extra offers a weekly round-up of UND athletics, including highlights, features and in-studio appearances by UND coaches. UND Insider Weekly (formerly UNDsports.TV) offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the world of UND Athletics, featuring popular segments such as Pro-Tips, Not My Job and the Insider Roundtable.
Now in its third season, the acclaimed web series Through These Doors makes its television debut in 2013-14 and takes fans inside UND's men's hockey program with 24/7-style coverage.
UND Sports Extra will air at 7 p.m. every Tuesday, followed by North Dakota Hockey with Dave Hakstol at 7:30.
Both programs will re-air every Friday as part of a UND-heavy programming block that also includes UND Insider Weekly (5:30 p.m.) and Through These Doors (6:30 p.m.).
Faison also said that UND will continue to seek additional options for national broadcast distribution rights for all sports.
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CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) currently serves as the exclusive national broadcast partner for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), the new home of UND men's hockey.
CBSSN will broadcast an NCHC-high six UND games in 2013-14, including home games against Colorado College (Jan. 10) and Miami (Feb. 14), as well as road games at Miami (Oct. 18), Western Michigan (Dec. 6), Denver (Jan. 24) and St. Cloud State (Feb. 28).
UND FanFest scheduled Thursday
UND will hold its second annual football FanFest on Thursday at Memorial Stadium.
The event, which is free to the public, will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
All UND players and coaches will be available to sign autographs and fans also will have their first chance to receive a 2013 North Dakota football poster, as well as spin the prize wheel for giveaways courtesy of Midco Sports Network.
Free pizza and soft drinks will be available to approximately the first 500 fans through the doors.
In addition, fans can pick up a "North Dakota Proud" yard sign and kids can register for the Jr. Champions.
