Radio coverage of the Ball State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics continues to expand as the department agreed to a new contract with Backyard Broadcasting.
The department announced a new three-year agreement with the network to broadcast football games, men's basketball games and women's basketball games Ball State shows throughout the year. It is the 53rd year Ball State sports will air on Backyard Broadcasting affiliated stations.
"It's a great agreement, a great partnership for Ball State and Backyard Broadcasting," Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said.
In addition to the continuing radio coverage, ESPN AM 1340 will broadcast a new show, "Cardinal Talk," from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday's throughout the academic year. The show will showcase feature stories and updates on Ball State athletics, including conversations with the Ball State coaches from each sport.
Morry Mannies, the play-by-play announcer for football and men's basketball; Jay Garrison, the play-by-play announcer for women's basketball; and Jeff Weller, director of corporate sales and broadcast services, will broadcast the show live from Mancino's.
The Monday Night with the Red and White show also will expand from a half hour to one hour each Monday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on WERK FM 104.9. Mannies will be the host of the show, which will be broadcast live from Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Mannies also will return for his 53rd year as the "Voice of the Cardinals," as the play-by-play announcer for football and men's basketball.
Mark O'Connell, a former Ball State quarterback and punter, returns as the color commentator for the football games. Ball State student Rick Johnston will work as the sideline reporter for the football games. The pregame show also will expand to one hour with Weller as the host of the football pregame and halftime shows.
The men's basketball games will continue to be broadcast on WLBC 104.1 FM while the women's basketball games will move to WERK FM 104.9. The women's basketball broadcasts will expand to include all Mid-American Conference games and all home games.
Collins said Ball State might look to continue expansion in the future, as the extra coverage gives the university a chance to expose its athletes to the public.
"It gives our sports a higher profile," he said. "It gives us more time to talk Ball State athletics."
RadioBackyard Broadcasting owns seven stations in Indiana
- WLBC (FM 104.1), WERK (104.9), WXFN (AM 1340), WURK (FM 101.7), WHBU (AM 1240), WHTI (FM 96.7) and WHTY (FM 93.5).
- The Ball State radio network for the football season will also include XL 950 AM in Indianapolis and ESPN 1380 AM in Fort Wayne.
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