Dec. 4, 2002
The Patriot League today announced that it has reached a multi-year programming agreement with the College Sports Television Network (CSTV), the nation's first 24-hour all-college sports network. As part of the agreement, CSTV will cover regular-season games and championship tournaments across a variety of men's and women's sports featuring Patriot League's member institutions.
"The Patriot League-CSTV relationship will provide welcome television opportunities for the League's men's and women's championships and sports that generally do not benefit from television exposure, enhancing the overall experiences of all student-athletes," said Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich.
CSTV will cover the action of all 22 Patriot League sports, which include men's and women's basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, in addition to baseball, field hockey, football, men's golf, softball and women's volleyball.
"Since our initial announcement this summer to build the nation's first 24-hour cable network for college sports, the response by college sports fans, athletes, administrators and athletic directors has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Brian Bedol, President, CEO and co-founder of the network. "Patriot League institutions are among the most prestigious on the college sports scene today. Their inclusion in CSTV brings us one step closer to delivering on our promise to be the home of college sports in this country."
"The Patriot League has produced numerous nationally-ranked teams and athletes spanning its broad array of sports," said Chris Bevilacqua, executive vice president and co-founder of CSTV. "This addition to our roster will enhance our ability to provide viewers with intriguing storylines on and off the field."
"The Patriot League and its member institutions are pleased to partner with CSTV," said Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan, who serves as chair of the League's Committee on Athletic Administration. "Participation in intercollegiate athletics at Patriot League institutions is considered to be an integral part of the college experience. Men's and women's athletic programs will no doubt benefit through the exposure on this exciting new national network. Our fans and alumni nation-wide will be able to see a broader array of their favorite Patriot League athletics, coaches and teams."
The College Sports Television Network (CSTV) is the first cable network devoted exclusively to college sports, including a significant commitment to women's sports. It was co-founded by Brian Bedol, Stephen Greenberg and Chris Bevilacqua. Mr. Bedol and Mr. Greenberg were co-founders of Classic Sports Network, which they later sold to ESPN. Mr. Bevilacqua is a former senior executive with Nike Inc. where he headed that company's successful foray into the college market. CSTV is headquartered in New York City. It is expected to launch during the first quarter of 2003.