Campus Clips: Turner Sports to Debut Kentucky Doc Following Selection Show; Big South Signs Extension with ESPN

Compiled by Brandon Costa, Senior Editor, Sports Video Group

Turner Sports will debut an all-new documentary based on the legacy of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program – Bluegrass Kingdom: The Gospel of Kentucky Basketball.

Featuring interviews and first-hand reflections from some of the program’s most notable personalities including former UK players Pat Riley, Jamal Mashburn, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, coaches Joe B. Hall and John Calipari, UK alumna and zealous fan Ashley Judd and many others, the documentary provides a chronology of the Wildcats’ history from its origins through the 2012 NCAA championship team. Produced by Mandalay Sports Media and presented on truTV by Infiniti, the documentary is narrated by Grammy Award-winning musician Drake and will air on Selection Sunday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET in advance of Turner Sports’ and CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship, which airs exclusively on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV…

…The Big South Conference and ESPN have reached a new seven-year television deal, which will expand the number of Big South events on ESPN platforms. The deal runs through 2019 and extends the longstanding relationship that began in 1991. Under the deal, which includes the last year of the current agreement, an average total of 62 Big South events will air annually on ESPN platforms.  The Big South men’s basketball championship game will continue to air on either ESPN or ESPN2, while ESPNU will televise six events per season.  The Conference will gain increased exposure on ESPN3, as the multi-screen sports network will carry a minimum 50 exclusive Big South contests starting next season.  Coverage on ESPN3 will increase annually as part of the arrangement, and both parties have the option to produce additional events…

… Time Warner Cable (TWC) signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the University of Kentucky’s athletics department. TWC will promote its core video, high speed data, wifi and home phone products and services at Wildcats sports events, including men’s basketball and football games.

In addition to receiving an extensive in-game presence through courtside LED signage, the New York City-based company will also run print, radio and digital advertisements across the Wildcats’ various media channels. The deal was brokered by IMG College, the University of Kentucky’s multimedia rights holder, while CAA Sports Consulting advised Time Warner Cable on the deal…

… The NCAA has lifted a recent ban against New Jersey colleges, allowing them to host tournament games or championships. The N.C.A.A. informed its member colleges of the decision in a memo after United States District Judge Michael Shipp issued a permanent injunction Thursday in Trenton barring New Jersey from offering sports betting in the state. Gov. Chris Christie signed a sports wagering law last year, but the N.C.A.A. and four major sports leagues challenged it…

… Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski will be honored as the recipient of the 2013 Dick Enberg Award, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Krzyzewski will receive the award as part of the fourth annual Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th at CoSIDA’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla., which for the first time will be part of the annual NACDA Convention. The Enberg Award is given annually to a person whose actions and commitment have furthered the meaning and reach of the Capital One Academic All-America Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics. It is voted upon by the CoSIDA Special Awards Commitee and award-winning sports broadcaster Dick Enberg.