ESPN gets schooled – will launch college sports network, ESPNU, to televise 300 events in Division I sports

NEW YORK (AP) – On Friday, ESPN is going back to school.

ESPNU, a 24-hour network devoted to college sports, will televise approximately 300 live events in its first year, in sports ranging from Division I football to softball.

The presentation of the games and the formats of the studio shows will be similar to ESPN and ESPN 2, and many of the anchors and game announcers appear on the other stations. ESPNU’s lead anchor will be Mike Hall, the 23-year-old best known for winning the inaugural edition of ESPN’s “Dream Job.”

“Where the distinctions will be drawn is we’ll get into some sports and highlight some teams that haven’t gotten the exposure they’ve deserved,” said Burke Magnus, ESPNU’s vice president and general manager.

ESPNU will televise primarily Division I football and men’s and women’s basketball in the first year. The network will also cover baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, spring football and select high school football games.

It will also carry regular-season and NCAA championships, along with replays of games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and the company’s regional networks – though Magnus is quick to state that ESPNU is not meant to replace traditional syndication.

Friday’s launch will take place in Stillwater, Okla., with a special two-hour “pep rally” that will include a performance by the rock band 3 Doors Down.

ESPNU won’t be the first network to focus exclusively on college sports. CSTV Networks launched in April 2003 and is available in more than 40 million households.