Blast Return to the Big Screen in 2003, Twice
February 17, 2003 - A-League (A-League)
Indiana Blast News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-The Indiana Blast, United Soccer Leagues, and Fox Sports International officially announced today that after a successful broadcast from Kuntz Stadium in 2002, the Blast have been awarded two LIVE broadcasts in 2003 on Fox Sports World. With a record crowd of 4,557 on hand last August, the Blast tied the defending A-league champions the Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-2.
In 2003, the Blast will play host in front of millions to the Cincinnati Riverhawks on Friday, June 20th at 7:00pm (CT) and to the Minnesota Thunder on Friday, August 8th at 7:00pm (CT).
"We are thrilled about the opportunity to broadcast the exciting Blast game experience across the entire nation not only once, but twice in 2003," said Djorn Buchholz, director of Operations/Media Relations. "Our organization is gaining recognition and credibility on a national level and this is one more avenue that will help that growth."
The entire 2003 broadcast schedule will feature 18 regular season and two playoff A-League matches. The schedule also includes the A-League, USL Pro Select League, Premier Development League and W-League championship matches and a Super Y-League Finals highlight show. New developments include a regular weekly presence on Friday nights and increased airing in Canada.
USL and Fox Sports International are in the second year of a five-year broadcast deal. Returning to call matches are play-by-play announcers Brad Feldman, Sean Wheelock and Paul Dolan.
PLAYER UPDATES-The Blast have recently signed two key players in anticipation of 2003 with Joe Mercik and Justin McMillian. Mercik, a seven year veteran of the A-league, spent his first four season with the Rochester Raging Rhinos where he won an US Open Cup and an A-League Championship. The University at Buffalo graduate spent the 2001-02 season with divisional rival the Cincinnati Riverhawks.
McMillian joins the Blast as an A-league rookie defender and central midfielder. McMillian graduated from Southern Illinois University in '01 where he was a First Team All-American, Conference Player of the Year, team captain, and team MVP. McMillian was first noticed at Open Tryouts last March and impressed the coaches enough to receive a two-year contract in 2003.
Welcome back Blue Bunny! The Indiana Blast will partner once again with Blue Bunny in '03, including the 4th annual Red-White-Blue Bunny game night event and FREE Blue Bunny Bomb Pops to all Indiana Blast Soccer Camp participants. If you're looking for great tasting treats but want few calories or less sugar, Blue Bunny has what you're looking for. Visit www.bluebunny.com for the latest scoop on Blue Bunny products sweetened with Splenda® - the only no calorie sweetener made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar.
A-League Stories from February 17, 2003
- Blast Return to the Big Screen in 2003, Twice - Indiana Blast
- USL Unveils Broadcast Schedule - A-League
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.
