Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Big South Conference and ESPN have reached a six-year extension to its media rights deal that will see more than 800 conference events carried annually across ESPN networks, including ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer offering, which is inclusive of ESPN+ and launched in August.
The agreement runs through 2030-31, 40 years since the longstanding relationship began in 1991.
The extension provides continued linear coverage of the Big South’s basketball championship games, as the men’s championship game will air on either ESPN or ESPN2, with the women’s championship contest to be carried on ESPNU. In addition, ESPNU will televise six events per season, including a minimum of four men’s basketball “Wildcard” broadcasts on the network, and at least two additional linear opportunities on ESPNU or ESPNEWS are included. Additionally, the agreement allows the Big South to retain the rights to telecast up to 50 linear events per year locally in the Conference footprint, with those telecasts co-existing on ESPN+ as well.
Under the arrangement, ESPN+ will continue as the exclusive digital home of Big South Network productions and features regular season and Big South Championship broadcasts, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and lacrosse, baseball, and softball. The Big South was one of the first collegiate conferences showcased on ESPN+ when the service launched in 2018.
Bradley promoted at RU
The Radford University Track and Field and Cross Country program and Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Shelli Sayers announced Tuesday morning that Sam Bradley has been promoted to Associate Head Track and Field Coach and will continue serving as the Head Cross Country Coach.
In addition to continuing his duties as the head coach of men’s and women’s cross country, Bradley will add on the responsibilities related to growing the men’s track program and continuing to grow the women’s track and field team. Bradley will continue to work closer with Sayers in the day-to-day operations with six teams.
Bradley has been serving as the program’s head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach for the past eight seasons.
Love honored by ACC
Virginia Tech kicker John Love has been named the ACC Specialist of the Week for his efforts in a 23-21 win over NC State, as announced Monday by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Spartanburg, South Carolina product booted field goals of 39, 32, and 49 yards against the Wolfpack. The 49-yarder with 6:31 left proved to be the game-winner. Love was also good on both extra point attempts and is a perfect 99 of 99 on PATs in his career.
Love, who was named to the Lou Groza Award watch list in the preseason, now has 48 career field goals, and with 243 points, is tied for seventh all-time in scoring at Virginia Tech. The conference honor is Love’s third in the last two seasons.
Hokies baseball
Penciling in the first opponents on its 2026 regular season calendar, the Virginia Tech baseball team learned on Monday its schedule at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, one of the sport’s most premier non-conference showcases taking place at Globe Life Field – home of the Texas Rangers (Major League Baseball) – in Arlington, Texas.
Competing in the tournament’s third weekend from Feb. 27 to March 1, 2026, the Hokies are set to face three SEC opponents that have advanced to the Men’s College World Series championship round within the last five seasons, including two champions.
Virginia Tech will open play on Friday, Feb. 27, with an 8 p.m. game against Texas A&M. The Hokies’ matchup with the Aggies – who finished as national runners-up in 2024 – will mark the programs’ inaugural series meeting.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, Virginia Tech will square up against Mississippi State at 4 p.m. As with their tournament-opening contest, the Hokies will begin their series history with the Bulldogs, who won the 2021 Men’s College World Series.
Rounding out the weekend on Sunday, March 1, Virginia Tech will cross bats with Tennessee – the 2024 Men’s College World Series titleholders – during the morning game at 11:30 a.m.
Hokies celebrate 50 years
Virginia Tech women’s basketball will mark its 50th season with a special celebration during the Feb. 1 matchup against Virginia. As previously announced, the program is celebrating its 50th season of varsity competition in 2025-26.
To kick off the celebrations, the university has launched the 50 seasons website which will host a timeline of milestones in program history. Over the course of the season, they’ll share content and stories from those who shaped its legacy, including fans, former student-athletes, coaches, season ticket holders and alumni.
RU adds to staff
The Radford University men’s and women’s basketball programs announced earlier this week Brady Baker will be joining the programs as a data analyst for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Born and raised in Edinburg, Va., in the Shenandoah Valley, Baker returns to Virginia with over seven years of experience in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and most recently served as the Manager of Basketball Data Science for the Indiana Pacers for the past four seasons.
While in Indiana, Baker installed analytical processes on both the front office and coaching side to help the Pacers to two straight Eastern Conference Finals and their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 last season. During his tenure in Indiana, Baker worked for a prestigious NBA staff that included Head Coach Rick Carlisle and President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. Baker assisted in all aspects of the basketball department including draft scouting, free agency, coaching gameplans, and more using modern data science and analytics.
