CIAA matchup to be highlighted by NCAA Division II showcase

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NCAA Division II today announced 18 regular-season football games that will be showcased on ESPN3 or NCAA social media as part of a media agreement intended to promote the division on several platforms throughout the academic year. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) matchup between Shaw and Chowan on September 21 was selected as part of the NCAA Division II Football Showcase. The Hawks will host the Bears at Garrison Stadium in Murfreesboro, NC with the game set to kickoff at 6:05 p.m. 

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“We’re excited that the NCAA has chosen Shaw and Chowan to be a part of the Division II Football Showcase schedule. This is a great opportunity to highlight two of our football programs on a national level and enhance the visibility of student-athletes and their overall experience,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.

Now in its second year, the division’s media agreement features two distribution models for football and basketball. The CIAA matchup will be one of 11 football games featured in the NCAA hybrid model that offers the flexibility to be distributed on TV and online. These games will be distributed online through NCAA social media accounts – specifically, Division II Facebook (facebook.com/ncaadivisionii) and Twitter (@NCAADII) – and through the CIAA Sports Network. The division will also work with the TV partners of the participating conferences and schools on the opportunity to air games on their respective stations. 

“The DII hybrid model is a great use of multiple platforms, including the CIAA Sports Network, to promote Division II while also increasing the exposure of our conference and member institutions,” stated Commissioner McWilliams.

The first 18 games of the football showcase are predetermined games,16 of which are conference matchups. An additional four flex games – intended to highlight crucial matchups – will be finalized later in the season and played in November.

“It’s always exciting to begin a new academic year and the start of the Division II season,” said Terri Steeb Gronau, Vice President of Division II. “We’re looking forward to highlighting the teams that will be featured in the football showcase and promoting the Division II brand on several platforms for fans to see across the country.”

Games included in the schedule were broadcasts selected from a pool of conference nominations. Of the 16 football-sponsoring conferences in Division II, 15 will be featured in at least one game. One conference declined to participate.

Of the teams competing in the slate of games, 15 appeared in the 2018 Division II playoffs, and 15 begin the 2019 season ranked in the top 25 of the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.

“The football showcase features several great teams and matchups,” said Daryl Dickey, chair of the Division II Football Committee and athletics director at West Georgia. “It’s always fun to follow Division II football and celebrate our student-athletes for their excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

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The Division II football showcase opens with two games Sept. 5. Ouachita Baptist will host Harding at 8:05 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN3. Central Missouri will host Fort Hays State, also at 8:05 p.m. Eastern time, in the hybrid model. To read the full release, visit https://www.ncaa.com/.  

Full NCAA Division II Football Showcase Schedule (all times eastern)

Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:05 p.m.               Harding at Ouachita Baptist (ESPN3)
Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:05 p.m.               Fort Hays State at Central Missouri (Hybrid)
Saturday, Sept. 14, 6:05 p.m.             Ohio Dominican at Valdosta State (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 14, 7:05 p.m.              Ferris State at Central Washington (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 21, 12:05 p.m.            Findlay at Ohio Dominican (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 21, 6:05 p.m.            Shaw at Chowan (Hybrid)
Friday, Sept. 27, 7:05 p.m.                   New Haven at Bentley (Hybrid)
Saturday, Sept. 28, 2:35 pm.               Central Oklahoma at Northwest Missouri State (Hybrid)
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2:05 p.m.                  Lindenwood (Missouri) at McKendree (Hybrid)
Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:05 p.m.                  Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota State Mankato (Hybrid)
Saturday, Oct. 12, 1:05 p.m.                Northern Michigan at Michigan Tech (Hybrid)
Saturday, Oct. 12, 7:05 p.m.                Midwestern State at Texas A&M-Commerce (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 19, 12:05 p.m.              West Chester at Shepherd (Hybrid)
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2:05 p.m.                 Benedict at Albany State (Georgia) (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2:05 p.m.                 West Georgia at West Alabama (ESPN3)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 12:05 p.m.                Charleston (West Virginia) at West Virginia State (Hybrid)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:05 p.m.                  Wingate at Lenoir-Rhyne (ESPN3)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 5:05 p.m.                  Texas A&M-Commerce at West Texas A&M (ESPN3)
Saturday, Nov. 9                                   To be determined
Saturday, Nov. 16                                 To be determined