Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball games to hit airwaves in St. Louis
11/21/2007 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2007
CARBONDALE, Ill. - For the first time in school history, Southern Illinois University men's basketball games will be on the airwaves in St. Louis. Saluki Director of Athletics Mario Moccia announced Wednesday that SIU has signed an agreement to have all but one game this season broadcast on ESPN 1380-AM or Fox Sports Radio 1490-AM.
"The Missouri Valley Conference is one of the best conferences in the nation, and Southern Illinois is the cream of the crop," said John Helmkamp, general manager for both stations. "We have so many SIU grads in this area that the agreement makes for a great marketing tie-in. Even more important, however, Saluki Basketball under Chris Lowery is a program we believe in."
The broadcasts will originate from Mississippi River Radio, the school's radio rights holder and feature the "Voice of the Salukis" Mike Reis, along with color analysts Greg Starrick and Kirk Champion. The agreement expands SIU's broadcast footprint to include all of southern Illinois, Springfield and the metropolitan St. Louis area.
"This is an historic agreement for our athletic department," Moccia said. "Our alumni base in St. Louis is very strong, our conference tournament is held in the city, and the area remains a key focus for both recruiting and fundraising. We couldn't be happier about bringing Saluki basketball to the masses in a key metro market."
Broadcasts will begin on Thanksgiving Day with SIU's game against Chattanooga at 3 p.m. The only game that will not air on either station is the Feb. 16 matchup with Wichita State, which could not be broadcast due to scheduling conflicts.
ESPN 1380-AM Schedule
Nov. 22 vs. Chattanooga
Nov. 25 vs. Anaheim Classic
Dec. 11 vs. Saint Mary's
Dec. 15 at Saint Louis
Dec. 22 vs. Western Kentucky
Dec. 28 vs. Butler
Jan. 8 vs. Bradley
Jan. 15 at Evansville
Jan. 19 vs. Wichita State
Jan. 23 at Missouri State
Jan. 26 vs. Creighton
Feb. 5 vs. Indiana State
Feb. 10 at Creighton
Feb. 13 vs. Drake
Feb. 20 vs. Northern Iowa
Feb. 23 vs. BracketBusters
Feb. 26 at Bradley
Mar. 1 vs. Illinois State
Mar. 6-9 vs. Missouri Valley Conference Tournament
Fox Sports 1490-AM Schedule
Nov. 23 vs. Anaheim Classic
Dec. 1 vs. Indiana
Dec. 8 vs. Charlotte
Dec. 18 vs. Western Michigan
Dec. 30 vs. Missouri State
Jan. 2 at Drake
Jan. 5 at Illinois State
Jan. 12 at Indiana State
Jan. 28 vs. Evansville
Feb. 2 at Northern Iowa
