St. Joe’s men’s basketball announces broadcasting schedule
The St. Joe’s men’s basketball team will enter their 2018-19 campaign with a schedule that, according to head coach Phil Martelli, will expose the program to a level of national attention that rivals any schedule during his tenure at St. Joe’s.
The Hawks will have 13 of their 18 Atlantic 10 games televised nationally this season. They will also be featured on the ESPN Atlantic 10 Friday Night Showcase four times.
This is in addition to the previously-announced non-conference schedule, in which St. Joe’s will have a minimum of five nationally-televised contests.
“I’m delighted for the program, I’m delighted for the school and I’m anxious for this challenge for all of us,” Martelli said. “This is a challenge to the student body, this is a challenge to our fans. When we get these opportunities on national TV, to highlight Hagan arena, we have to make sure that the viewing public gets the idea that this is a very special university with a very special program.”
Senior Lamarr Kimble echoed a similar sentiment, saying that this is an exciting opportunity for the program.
“It’s a good thing that people are looking at us that highly that we’ve gotten so many TV games,” Kimble said. “It’s a good feeling. I know the guys love it and we can’t wait to get on the court. We’d like to have all of our games on TV.”
Martelli also addressed the supposed distractions that come along with many televised games.
“We won’t change the way we prepare,” Martelli said. “We won’t put that added pressure on our players, but we have the right players, both as basketball players and as people, to handle the added distractions that come with being on television. I think anytime you take a young player, and say something is bigger than life, has a tendency to become crippling and overwhelming. I will not allow that to happen to our players.”
Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner further illustrated how the increased media attention will have a positive impact on the university as a whole.
“I think one of the prime reasons that athletics exists at St. Joe’s and every other university is to create community and school pride and raise brand awareness if you will,” Bodensteiner said. “For the university just to have prospective students, alumni and others getting a little glimpse into what St. Joe’s is all about is really good for the University. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
With the fluid playmaking and scoring of Kimble, as well as junior sharpshooter Charlie Brown both returning from injury, the Hawks are set to compete for an A-10 title.
“Expectations, I don’t put a number on it, but obviously we should compete for an A-10 championship,” Bodensteiner said. “I expect them to have great chemistry, and the dynamics on the team are really good, so I think the sky is the limit for this group. And I know that coach Martelli is embracing that.”
The Hawks will open up their season at home Nov. 9 against Old Dominion University. Their first nationally televized game is scheduled for Dec. 1 against Temple University.
