The National Collegiate Athletic Association has selected a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader between Daemen College and Roberts Wesleyan College on Wednesday, Dec. 5 as part of its Division II Basketball Showcase Games for the 2018-19 season. This is the first-time Daemen has been chosen to participate in the Showcase Games.
“This is a great opportunity for the Daemen name to be highlighted once again on the national stage,” said Amanda Gross, chief of staff to Daemen’s president. “It is yet another instance of Daemen’s prominence as a college of national distinction.”
The Niles Media Group will produce a full broadcast of both games on Dec. 5 on the NCAA Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as on the East Coast Conference Network. The game times are slated for 6:05 p.m. (women’s) and 8:05 p.m. (men’s).
“We are honored to be among the teams selected to be featured in the NCAA Division II Basketball Showcase this season, “said Traci Murphy, director of athletics. “It’s exciting for the NCAA to shine a light on our ‘Thruway Rivalry’ with Roberts Wesleyan, a series that pre-dates both institutions’ ascent into NCAA Division II, and one that resonates with alums and team supporters alike. As one of the organization’s newest members, this exposure will only further cement our place among the best in Division II.”
The NCAA Division II Basketball Showcase Games are part of a larger initiative launched by the NCAA earlier this fall, aiming to broadcast 11 football games, 18 basketball games, and six to 10 additional sporting events in a hybrid model that would allow for distribution on local television stations and online.
Both games feature rematches of opening round contests from last season’s East Coast Conference Championship tournament, and both are the ECC season openers for all four squads involved.
Stay tuned to daemenwildcats.com for further information on the NCAA Division II Basketball Showcase Games as the doubleheader draws near. Tickets for the game can be bought the day of the event at the RWC ticket counter ($5/general admission, $3/seniors 65+, $2/visiting students with school ID, and $2/children 5-12).