ESPN RADIO 1310 TO CONTINUE BROADCASTING MEN'S, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAMES

Old Dominion University athletic director Jim Jarrett announced a new three-year contract with ESPN Radio 1310 that will provide for the continued broadcast of the University's men's and women's basketball games and coaches call-in shows, through the 2003/04 seasons, with an option for two additional years.

"The Old Dominion athletic program has benefited from the comprehensive sport coverage and marketing support provided by ESPN Radio 1310 for more than a decade and our coaches and student-athletes look forward to continued quality coverage and support of our program," says Jarrett.

"A portion of the coverage involves coaches shows and the station's sports-talk format will continue to provide our fans with question/answer access to our coaches. With the CAA expansion, the Constant Center's opening in 2002, strong schedules and quality coaches and student-athletes, I am anticipating some of the most exciting times in our strong basketball history. It is a pleasure to have ESPN Radio 1310 as our broadcast partner during this important part of our basketball history," adds Jarrett.

ESPN Radio will provide Old Dominion with airtime for all men's and women's regular season and post-season games, as well as 17 weekly, one-hour call-in shows for both head coaches Wendy Larry and Blaine Taylor. Those shows will air from November through March in afternoon drive-time slots. Old Dominion will retain all advertising inventory in the broadcasts and shows. Additionally, ESPN Radio 1310 broadcasts and coaches shows will be simulcast live on the world wide web at the University's website, http://www.odusports.com.

"This agreement is good for Old Dominion, good for ESPN Radio 1310 AM and especially good for the basketball fans throughout the entire Hampton Roads area. Old Dominion has a very rich tradition of educational and athletic excellence and we are proud to be their broadcast partner," says ESPN Radio general manager Andy Graham."

The three-year contract with ESPN Radio will enhance coverage of the program as the University opens the Ted Constant Convocation Center, an 8,600-seat arena on campus in the fall of 2002.

"We feel this new contract is very significant as we will be the voice of the Monarchs and Lady Monarchs basketball teams as they make their important move to the Constant Center," says ESPN Radio program director Tony Mercurio. "We have had a great relationship with ODU over the past 10 years and I personally feel very fortunate that we can continue to carry these great games for the next several years."