ESPNU, a new 24-hour college sports network, along with ESPN and ESPN2, will provide
extensive coverage of the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship - including every game
from the quarterfinals through the title game. Action will begin this weekend with two first-round
games on ESPNU: undefeated Johns Hopkins against Marist (Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m. ET) and
defending champion Syracuse at Massachusetts (Sunday, May 15 at 1 p.m.). ESPNU, ESPN and ESPN2's
nine telecasts will mark the most national coverage of the men's lacrosse championship and an
increase from three last year.
Dave Ryan will call play-by-play with analyst Quint Kessenich on eight contests, including the
national semifinals and championship match. Brian Heyward will serve as the analyst with Ryan
on ESPNU's quarterfinal telecast Sunday, May 22 at noon.
"Lacrosse is an emerging sport and our expanded coverage will help fuel the growing
interest," said Burke Magnus, vice president and general manager, ESPNU. "Our extensive
schedule will serve the avid fan while providing casual viewers with an opportunity to experience
the fast-pace and exciting action."
First-round highlights include:
Marist vs. Johns Hopkins (Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m. on ESPNU) - Johns Hopkins, undefeated
for the first time since the 1995 season, is making its 34th consecutive NCAA Division I Men's
Lacrosse Championship appearance. Johns Hopkins has won 18 straight regular-season and 34 straight
home games. This will mark Marist's first tournament appearance.
Syracuse at Massachusetts (Sunday, May 15 at 1 p.m. on ESPNU) - Defending champion Syracuse
is making its 23rd consecutive tournament appearance. Massachusetts defeated Syracuse 14-13 in
overtime April 30.
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The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship (schedule subject to change): |
| Network |
Date |
Time (ET) |
Game |
| ESPNU |
Saturday, May 14 |
1 p.m |
Marist at Johns Hopkins |
| ESPNU |
Sunday, May 15 |
1 p.m |
Syracuse at Massachusetts |
| ESPNU |
Saturday, May 21 |
12 p.m |
Quarterfinal #1 (Baltimore) ** |
| ESPNU |
Saturday, May 21 |
8 p.m |
Quarterfinal #2 (Baltimore) ** |
| ESPNU |
Sunday, May 22 |
12 p.m |
Quarterfinal #3 (Princeton, N.J.) ** |
| ESPNU |
Sunday, May 22 |
8 p.m |
Quarterfinal #4 (Princeton, N.J.) ** |
| ESPN2 |
Saturday, May 28 |
11:30 a.m |
Semifinal #1 (Philadelphia) |
| ESPN2 |
Saturday, May 28 |
2 p.m |
Semifinal #2 (Philadelphia) |
| ESPN |
Monday, May 30 |
12 p.m |
Championship (Philadelphia) |
| * Same-day tape delay |
| ** ESPNU's four quarterfinal telecasts will be syndicated in select markets |
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The expanded lacrosse schedule is a result of a recent agreement between ESPN and
the NCAA providing extensive coverage of numerous NCAA championships on ESPNU. The multi-year
pact (through 2012-13) includes sports from each of the three collegiate seasons. All of ESPNU's
NCAA championships coverage will supplement existing action from each event on ESPN and ESPN2.
ESPNU
The ESPNU schedule will feature approximately 300 live events (regular-season and championships) in
the network's first year. Action will include a variety of top football and men's and women's basketball
mixed with baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling and more. ESPNU will
also offer comprehensive studio programming, replays of ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional
Television games, plus specials and more.
ESPNU has secured distribution agreements with DIRECTV, Adelphia, Mediacom, several smaller affiliates
and is close to distribution agreements with others. The 24-hour television network is the key
component of the multi-media ESPNU initiative that will deliver college sports content across ESPN's
family of services, such as ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Mobile (wireless), ESPN Radio, ESPN Interactive,
ESPN360 (broadband), merchandising and more.
Original Dream Job winner Mike Hall serves as ESPNU's signature anchor, hosting the majority of
the network's studio programming from Charlotte, N.C., headquarters of ESPN Regional Television (ERT),
which handles production responsibilities for ESPNU.
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