Monday, April 21, 2003

WTVJ, NBC 6 to locally televise FIU Football game vs. Holy Cross

• 2003 FIU Football Schedule

lorida International University Athletics and WTVJ-TV in Miami announced today that NBC 6 has agreed to a live telecast of the Golden Panthers 2003 Homecoming football game against Holy Cross on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Kickoff time for this first ever, over-the-air live FIU football contest is set for 10:00 a.m.

“There is pure excitement here at NBC 6 about telecasting the FIU vs. Holy Cross game. We’re proud and honored to be able to bring this historic broadcast to our South Florida community,” said WTVJ president and general manager Don Browne.

“As we continue to build a football tradition here at FIU, having a media partner the likes of NBC 6 is a relationship that gives us all great pride and satisfaction,” said FIU head coach Don Strock.

This is the second joint venture between NBC 6 and FIU football in the two-year history of the program. WTVJ will continue broadcasting its Saturday morning Don Strock Show, a weekly FIU football highlight show featuring interviews, features and special guests.

"I am very pleased that our partnership with WTVJ has expanded to include a live telecast. For a second-year program to have a live game on a broadcast station with the reach and prominence of NBC 6 is a significant step in our building process,” said FIU athletic director Rick Mello.

“Playing at 10:00 a.m. will certainly be novel and it is something we can have some fun with. We are really looking forward to it."

With this additional NBC 6 broadcast, the Golden Panthers have a total of three live football telecasts this coming season. FIU will host Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Oct. 9 and Jacksonville on Thursday, Oct. 30, with both 7:00 p.m. kickoffs televised statewide by Sunshine Network.

FIU begins its second season of intercollegiate football at the NCAA Division I-AA level on Saturday, Sept. 6 against the Indiana State Sycamores in Terre Haute, Ind. The Golden Panthers home schedule begins Saturday, Sept. 20 against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at FIU Stadium. For information on FIU Football tickets, call (866) FIU-GAME.