MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Dow Diamond to Host Michigan-Michigan State Viewing Party

Published on October 9, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


When Michigan and Michigan State's football teams meet October 25 for the 101st time, fans of the two schools can watch the game's broadcast live on the giant video board at Dow Diamond in Midland in an event dubbed the Huge RivalryFest 2008.

The event, hosted by sports-talk radio station ESPN 100.9-FM, will feature games, activities and skills challenges for kids and adults. Bill Simonson, host of the Huge Show weekdays from 3pm-6pm, will appear at the event and serve as an MC. He will also host a half-hour local pregame show on ESPN 100.9-FM prior to the start of Michigan State's network pregame show on the station.

"Dow Diamond is a perfect venue, the Taj Mahal of Minor League Baseball stadiums in America, and they have a huge video board that is ideal for showing live sporting events," Simonson said. "This is going to be a huge celebration of a great rivalry and I encourage all my listeners to come out to Midland to take part in the event."

Simonson's daily Huge Show is broadcast on stations throughout Michigan, including ESPN 100.9-FM in the Tri-Cities' market. In the days leading up to the event, Simonson will give away VIP packages on-air.

"I think people will find the event similar in some ways to our game presentation with the Great Lakes Loons - with promotions and activities during commercial breaks - and similar in some respects to the All-Star FanFest held in June," said Brad Golder, director of communications for ESPN 100.9-FM and the Loons.

Admission and parking will be free. The stadium's concession stands will be open for the event. The Huge RivalryFest 2008 will be held at Dow Diamond rain or shine. Several viewing areas with ample seating will be set up in the enclosed, covered main concourse in the event of inclement weather. Gates at Dow Diamond will open one hour prior to kickoff time, which has not yet been announced.

"If this event is successful, I think we could see similar events at Dow Diamond for other televised sporting events - the Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four," said Loons President and General Manager Paul Barbeau. "The possibilities are endless."

A follow-up press release during the week of the event will outline specific games and activities planned for the event.

Award-winning Dow Diamond is a 5,200-seat venue that serves as the home ballpark for the Great Lakes Loons baseball team (Single-A, Midwest League) and as a special events facility. The facility opened in April 2007 and served as the host site for the 2008 Midwest League All-Star Game, powered by Dow Corning.

ESPN 100.9-FM (WLUN, Pinconning) is a 24-hour all-sports station owned by the non-profit Michigan Radio Communications. The station is the flagship radio home of Great Lakes Loons baseball and carries the weekday lineup of Mike and Mike in the Morning, the Herd with Colin Cowherd, Tirico and Van Pelt, and The Huge Show with Bill Simonson. ESPN 100.9-FM also carries the Saginaw Valley League Game of the Week and Michigan State athletics.

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Midwest League Stories from October 9, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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