Spiders On The Move To ESPN Radio 950
01/19/2006 | General
Jan. 19, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
The University of Richmond Athletic Department and WXGI-AM announced today a three-year agreement to bring Spider sports broadcasts to Richmond's ESPN Radio 950.
Beginning this fall, all Spider football and men's basketball games and "The Spider Sportsline" coach's shows, plus selected women's basketball and baseball contests, will air live on locally-owned and operated ESPN Radio 950.
"The addition of Spider athletics should be a further indication to fans and listeners of our commitment as Richmond's hometown sports station," said David Gee, President of Gee Communications and WXGI. "This will be a full-fledged partnership that will go well beyond the broadcasts. We're excited about teaming with Richmond athletics both on the air and in the community."
ESPN Radio 950 offers the only combination of locally-produced morning and afternoon sports talk shows in Richmond. Al Coleman, a mainstay in Richmond sports broadcasting for more than a decade, hosts "SportsPhone with Big Al" weekdays from 7-10am. Greg Burton, recently honored as Virginia Sportscaster of the Year, anchors "The Drive," Monday through Thursday from 4-7pm. Burton is also a television sports anchor and reporter for WTVR Channel 6, the local CBS affiliate. Both Al and Greg regularly invite Spider coaches and student-athletes as guests on their shows.
Richmond's football team is coming off a 9-4 season in which the Spiders captured the Atlantic 10 championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. In just his second year at the helm, Dave Clawson earned conference and national coach-of-the year honors.
The Spider men's basketball team, under first-year head coach Chris Mooney, has won three in a row and five of its past six games in posting an impressive 10-7 overall record and 3-1 in the Atlantic 10.
"We're thrilled to join together with ESPN Radio 950," said Bob Black, Richmond's Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and longtime Voice of the Spiders. "It's important to us that our flagship station in Richmond has committed itself to local programming. And, we are also excited to be part of the ESPN national brand that is so identifiable and popular with sports fans.
"This will be a win-win for everyone as more and more of our fans enjoy ESPN Radio 950's local and national programs. And we certainly welcome all those listeners already tuning in to support the Spiders."
The Spider Sports Network will have the opportunity to add affiliate stations to reach Spider fans and listeners with ESPN Radio 950 serving as the flagship. The broadcasts will continue to be available worldwide on the internet at RichmondSpiders.com. ESPN Radio 950 will also stream the broadcasts on its website, ESPN950am.com, marking the first time a Spider flagship station has carried the broadcasts worldwide on its internet site.
Additionally, numerous Spider football and men's basketball games can also be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio. Those broadcasts are expected to continue and increase in future years, giving Spider fans worldwide yet another means to stay in touch with their favorite team.
