American Sports Network to Televise Newberry vs. Wingate

Newberry’s season finale with Wingate from Setzler Field Nov. 12 will be televised on the American Sports Network at 3:30 p.m. as part of the Division II Football Showcase, solidifying the matchup as one of the most pivotal games in the nation.

“The first time we were on TV this season, it was awesome for Newberry,” said head coach Todd Knight, “but having it happen two times in one year is unbelievable for us. We’ve never had this type of exposure before. And both of these games being at home is fantastic for the college and the whole city of Newberry.”

The 19th-ranked Wolves and Bulldogs are currently the top two teams in the South Atlantic Conference standings and are ranked third and 10th in the Super Region 2 rankings released by the NCAA. Newberry clinched at least a share of the league championship with its 53-14 win over Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday and is looking to become the 16th team in SAC history to have a perfect season in conference play. A Wingate win would clinch a share of the championship for the Bulldogs and bolster the team's playoff resume.

The NCAA announced the Division II Football Showcase in June as a slate of 22 Division II games, two each week, that would be split evenly between ESPN3 and ASN. The first 18 games of the Showcase were predetermined, with two games on each of the final two weekends at the discretion of the networks in an effort to highlight the nation’s most pivotal matchups. The Newberry vs. Wingate game was deemed worthy of selection.

“This is a great decision by ASN to showcase an incredibly important South Atlantic Conference game,” said Interim Director of Athletics Ralph Patterson. “Wingate has a great team. This is a great game to showcase our conference on national television.”

"We are excited that this game has been selected to be on the American Sports Network," added South Atlantic Conference Commissioner Patrick Britz. "We appreciate the NCAA recommending this game to be televised since it could have both conference championship and regional rankings implications. It will also be a great opportunity for Newberry, Wingate and the SAC to be showcased and get some great exposure"

Newberry is one of two teams, along with third-ranked and 2015 national runner-up Shepherd, that will be featured twice on the Division II television package this season after the Rams' Nov. 5 home game vs. No. 20 Fairmont State was selected by ASN. ESPN3 has picked up the Edinboro vs. No. 6 California (Pa.) matchup on Nov. 5 and the Northeast-10 Championship Game on Nov. 12.

ASN is a division of Sinclair Networks Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. It owns 172 television stations, operates and/or provides services in 81 markets, broadcasting 482 channels. Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of live sports content.

Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. In addition, ASN’s content is syndicated to other broadcasters and regional sports networks. ASN, which launched in August 2014, produced 250 college events in nine sports in its first year and in the current 2016-17 academic year, plans to produce and broadcast in excess of 300 NCAA events.

Newberry earned a convincing 35-14 win over Catawba on Oct. 1 in a game broadcast online nationally on ESPN3 in the Wolves' first television appearance this season.