Too late for ESPN to broadcast a game from Mahoney Arena this season but I would hope that Dr. Nemec, AD Schlickmann, the expert consultants or at least someone at the University is asking the MAAC and its newest commissioner WTF is going on and insisting on finally having an ESPN nationally broadcast game from the $51.5 million Mahoney Arena next season. Anything else should be unacceptable.
Has anyone just asked the question to someone who can provide an answer? I know you guys have connections!
I asked the commissioner via email today just that question about games featured on ESPNU. I have sent him emails previously regarding questions I had about MAAC policies. He never responds. I do not expect an answer from him on my latest question either. However, he needs to know that there are fans asking questions about MAAC actions that do not make sense.
This is the second year in a row that Fairfield is playing two games each season on ESPNU with none at home in Fairfield. Also second year in a row with both "Connecticut rivalry" games being played at Quinnipiac on ESPNU.
Stag Men's Basketball on ESPNU Friday, December 11, 2020 vs Iona (Alumni Hall) Friday, February, 19, 2022 vs St. Peter's (WBA) Friday, February 3, 2023 at Quinnipiac Friday, February 10, 2023 at Rider Friday, February 23, 2024 at Quinnipiac Friday, March 1, 2024 at Marist
The goal at the Fairfield Athletic Department should be two fold for ALL Stag sports and at all Stag home venues .1 Win more games to get into a successful postseason and .2 Increase home attendance especially with the local community, our fellow area alumni, current students(who will be future donors) and University staff. Playing nationally televised games as an Away game in someone else's building is not helping. Scheduling Home game is important.
This is the second year in a row that Fairfield is playing two games each season on ESPNU with none at home in Fairfield. Also second ear in a row at Quinnipiac on ESPNU.
Stag Men's Basketball on ESPNU Friday, December 11, 2020 vs Iona (Alumni Hall) Friday, February, 19, 2022 vs St. Peter's (WBA) Friday, February 3, 2023 at Quinnipiac Friday, February 10, 2023 at Rider Friday, February 23, 2024 at Quinnipiac Friday, March 1, 2024 at Marist
March 7th is last ESPNU wildcard option and Fairfield is at home to host Canisius. Given Fairfield had two weeks in a row on ESPNU and Canisius is not very good, I doubt we get the home game on ESPNU.
Post by thetripleteam on Feb 21, 2024 13:32:04 GMT -5
This is just wishful thinking, but could the reason we aren't getting a home game on National TV, b/c the conference knows we are leaving? At least that's what I'm telling myself!
This is the second year in a row that Fairfield is playing two games each season on ESPNU with none at home in Fairfield. Also second ear in a row at Quinnipiac on ESPNU.
Stag Men's Basketball on ESPNU Friday, December 11, 2020 vs Iona (Alumni Hall) Friday, February, 19, 2022 vs St. Peter's (WBA) Friday, February 3, 2023 at Quinnipiac Friday, February 10, 2023 at Rider Friday, February 23, 2024 at Quinnipiac Friday, March 1, 2024 at Marist
March 7th is last ESPNU wildcard option and Fairfield is at home to host Canisius. Given Fairfield had two weeks in a row on ESPNU and Canisius is not very good, I doubt we get the home game on ESPNU.
Another reason, and maybe I am wrong, but since March 7th is a Thursday and as far as I know only Friday's count for eligibility, it couldn't happen anyway. Am I wrong in assuming that?
March 7th is last ESPNU wildcard option and Fairfield is at home to host Canisius. Given Fairfield had two weeks in a row on ESPNU and Canisius is not very good, I doubt we get the home game on ESPNU.
Another reason, and maybe I am wrong, but since March 7th is a Thursday and as far as I know only Friday's count for eligibility, it couldn't happen anyway. Am I wrong in assuming that?
Thursday March 7 is part of the MAAC ESPNU schedule.
These are the MAAC games scheduled for that day: Thursday, March 7 • 7 p.m. Canisius at Fairfield Iona at Manhattan Marist at Quinnipiac Niagara at Siena Saint Peter’s at Rider
March 7th is last ESPNU wildcard option and Fairfield is at home to host Canisius. Given Fairfield had two weeks in a row on ESPNU and Canisius is not very good, I doubt we get the home game on ESPNU.
Another reason, and maybe I am wrong, but since March 7th is a Thursday and as far as I know only Friday's count for eligibility, it couldn't happen anyway. Am I wrong in assuming that?
Not wrong in assuming that but the League knows that as well and has not scheduled Mahoney in two years.
If I were Ensor/Tellitucci I would make it imperative that my league's new state of the art areana had a flex ESPNU game on the schedule.
… and guess who answered my email. ESPN chose the Iona/Manhattan game on 2/16 rather then Niagara at FF on the same date.
“ I agree that Mahoney Arena is a beautiful venue, and we would love to showcase it on ESPNU. However, the TV windows, matchups and Fairfield's schedule have not aligned this season.
For informational purposes, ESPN confirms the linear television windows for the men's and women's basketball season in October. Unfortunately, we receive the TV windows after the men's and women's basketball schedules have been completed. Only one (1) of the television windows up to this point in the season matched up with a Fairfield home game. That window (Friday,February 16) was the game that was selected prior to the start of the season (Manhattan at Iona) and not part of the Wild Card games.
ESPN and the Conference office work to select the best matchup for the Wild Card games. Marist at Niagara (January 26), Fairfield at Quinnipiac (February 23) and Fairfield at Marist (March 1) were the best Wild Card matchups identified. Fairfield was on the road or had a bye on all three of those dates.
I hope that provides some clarification to your question.
Thanks, Travis
Travis Tellitocci Commissioner Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
^ There had to be some reason why the Manhattan at Iona game was chosen before the season started but the other games are selected a couple of weeks before they air. Not sure that Tellitocci would explain the reasoning for that decision.
