For Immediate Release
October 11, 2013
Contact Information

Chelsye J. Burrows
770.692.4559
CBURROWS@UPTV.COM

David Gardner
770.692.9939
DGARDNER@UPTV.COM

(BPRW) ASPiRE TO AIR THREE LIVE 2013 CIAA FOOTBALL GAMES, INCLUDING TWO HOMECOMINGS AND THE ANNUAL CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

- Network Expands Its Programming Lineup with Coverage Beginning on October 12th -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – ATLANTA – October 11, 2013 – ASPiRE (@tvASPiRE) closed a deal with Urban Sports and Entertainment Group to broadcast three live upcoming Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA, theciaa.com) 2013 football conference rivalry games on October 12th, October 19th and November 16th, announced Paul Butler, general manager, ASPiRE. The conference rivalry games include two homecoming games and the annual CIAA Football Championship, and feature an appearance by NCAA Division II runner up and HBCU national champion, Winston Salem State University Rams. The games included are:

Game #1: October 12th, Winston Salem State vs. Johnson C. Smith (WSSU Homecoming), Winston Salem, NC - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Game #2: October 19th, Virginia State vs. Bowie State (VSU Homecoming), Petersburg, VA - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Game #3: November 16th, CIAA Football Championship, Bowman Gray Stadium (Winston Salem, NC) - 1:00 p.m. EDT (East vs. West)

Steeped in legacy and tradition, these CIAA Homecomings and Championship games are the essence of the HBCU game-day experience. From the unique HBCU tailgating environment, the bands battling during the half and the intense overall competition on the field, the history and culture of these CIAA rivalries will resonate with fans and alumni nationwide through ASPiRE.

“We are very excited to bring live CIAA college football to our ASPiRE audience,” said Paul Butler, general manager, ASPiRE. “As the oldest African-American athletic conference in the nation, CIAA is an important part of our African American history and we look forward to being a partner in its overall future.”

“It is a wonderful opportunity to partner with ASPiRE network which clearly understands the importance of our community reach to showcase our student-athletes, member institutions and the conference to a national audience,” said Jacqie Carpenter, CIAA commissioner (@CIAACommish). “We look forward to more opportunities in the future.”

These three live football games join “Inside the Game,” the nation’s longest-running sports highlights show devoted exclusively to Historically Black Colleges and University’s (HBCUs), on ASPiRE’s schedule. Hosted by ESPN host/analyst/producer Stan Lewter, “Inside the Game” (aspire.tv/shows/inside-the-game) provides viewers with football and basketball highlights, interviews and features from HBCU institutions around the country. Now in its 17th year, the series is the source for weekly HBCU sports highlights, tailgating, cheerleaders, bands, player profiles and HBCU legends from Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and independent schools. Produced by Urban Sports and Entertainment Group, “Inside the Game” airs Fridays at 10 p.m. EDT.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the oldest African-American athletic conference and the largest Division II conference in the country. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Hampton, Va., the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, St. Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About ASPiRE
ASPiRE is a television network targeted to African-Americans and celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of our past, our now and our next. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in approximately 16 million homes in 21 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, DC. through Comcast and Time Warner. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvaspire.

About Magic Johnson Enterprises
Magic Johnson Enterprises acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. For more information, visit http://magicjohnson.com/enterprises.