River Hawks Extend Radio Deal with ESPN NH and WCAP

LOWELL, Massachusetts – The UMass Lowell Athletic Department, ESPN New Hampshire and Lowell radio station WCAP (980AM) have announced an agreement extending their partnership to broadcast River Hawk hockey, men's basketball and select women's basketball games on the radio during the upcoming 2015-16 season.

"UMass Lowell is pleased to continue its partnership with ESPN NH and WCAP radio," said Director of Athletics Dana Skinner. "Having River Hawk hockey and basketball games on the airwaves in the region has helped us communicate the many benefits of our programs, and we're grateful that our friends at ESPN and WCAP share that vision."

ESPN 900 AM, which is based in Nashua, will serve as the flagship station of the River Hawk

Network, in addition to three affiliates that will carry live coverage of UMass Lowell sports throughout the season, which include: ESPN 1250 AM, WSMN 1590 AM and WCAP 980 AM (Lowell). Fans worldwide can also listen online at espnnhradio.com or through the ESPN Radio App or through the TuneIn Radio App (WCAP.)

"We are very excited for our third season of carrying UMass Lowell hockey and basketball and couldn't be happier about our relationship," said Justin Bastinelli, ESPN General Manager. "Everybody knows how good the hockey team is, but in addition the basketball program has been an absolute pleasure to watch grow into a contender. The River Hawk fans are tremendous and we take pride in helping them listen to the games all season long."

ESPN New Hampshire is serving as the flagship station for the third season while the relationship with the Lowell based news/talk radio WCAP goes back nearly a decade. 

"980 WCAP is proud to be part of the River Hawk Network. As The Voice of the Valley, everyone here is looking forward to bringing every play, home and away, to our listeners, from Newburyport, MA to Salem, NH and the entire Merrimack Valley," said WCAP owner Sam Poulten. "The whole WCAP Team is excited to broadcast Division I Hockey and our own great UMass Lowell Team, the River Hawks. It gives me particular pleasure to be able to ensure that those who can't be at a game in person, will be able to hear all the exciting River Hawks action throughout the Merrimack Valley and beyond on 980 WCAP." 

The radio voice of the River Hawks, Bob Ellis, will return for his 32nd season behind the microphone. He will be joined, for a third season, by color commentator Jim Connelly, a UMass Lowell alum and noted college hockey writer for U.S. College Hockey Online. Both Ellis and Connelly have been honored in the past by Hockey East as winners of the prestigious Joe Concannon Hockey East Media Award. ESPN's Nick Anastos will handle play-by-play duties for men's basketball games, while men's basketball alum Jim Borodawka will serve as the color commentator.

The River Hawk Network will broadcast all UMass Lowell Hockey games and in addition ESPN New Hampshire will provide live coverage of the Men's Basketball contests and broadcast select Women's Basketball games.