Live Football Pregame Show on BYUtv

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

New BYU Football Pre-Game Show Offers a Full Lineup of Expert Analysis, Celebrities, and Exclusive BYU Coverage

After months of anticipation, the independent football season is finally here. BYUtv continues its trailblazing path by broadcasting the first live pre-game show of its kind—THE ZIONS DIRECT COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF.

The hour-long show provides Cougar football fans across the nation expert analysis and insight into the players, opponents and game strategies. Special guests and ESPN announcers up the ante with in-depth features and game breakdowns. The show also contains a countdown clock leading right up to game time so fans won’t miss kickoff on ESPN.

“In what has already been a landmark year for BYU, we are happy to continue in that direction with this exciting new program,” said Dave McCann, co-host of THE ZIONS DIRECT COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF.

The new show was created by former ESPN SportsCenter producer Mikel Minor and is co-hosted by longtime college football announcer Dave McCann and former Cougar Alema Harrington. Veteran sports reporter Kathy Aiken and football analysts Blaine Fowler and Gary Sheide provide in-depth features and game analysis.

“COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF is another example of the synergy that is building between athletics and BYUtv,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. “BYUtv provides us opportunities that are groundbreaking in the world of college sports. We look forward to working closely with BYUtv as we create exciting new programming for Cougar Nation.”

“This is truly a milestone in the college sports realm,” Minor said.“We are the only university in the country to offer such an extensive look at its football team.”

And the excitement doesn’t stop there. For every away game, 250 lucky fans will have the opportunity to attend the live pre-game show in the new BYU Broadcasting building. After every live game on ESPN, BYUtv will also air a live post-game show with game highlights, recaps and a live press conference with head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

THE ZIONS DIRECT COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF premieres Sept. 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. MT on BYUtv and is also available to watch on byutv.org and through the BYUtv app on iPad and iPhone.

About BYUtv

BYUtv is a worldwide cable/satellite television channel featuring engaging, educational and uplifting content that encourages viewers to “see the good in the world.” The station currently reaches 60 million households and is growing. BYUtv’s vast library of on-demand videos is now available for free with the new BYUtv app for iPad and iPhone. For schedules, program information and more, visit byutv.org.

About Dave McCann

Dave McCann, a BYU graduate, reported for ABC’s Good Morning America during his senior year of college. For nearly 20 years since, McCann co-anchored news and sports on KLAS, channel 8 in Las Vegas and was the voice of UNLV football for 14 years. He currently hosts BYUtv’s sports magazine show, True Blue.

About Alema Harrington

A dynamic sports reporter, Alema Harrington currently hosts the pre-, halftime, and post-game shows for the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz broadcasts are widely renowned on the Root Sports Network and have won several Emmys. Harrington was a running back for the 1984 BYU National Championship football team and is a highly sought-after motivational speaker.

About Kathy Aiken

Kathy Aiken’s sports anchoring and reporting have earned her a Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Aiken worked with KSL for 17 years, anchoring and reporting sports events ranging from high school sports to college basketball to the NBA finals. She has also done play-by-play for SportsWest and BYU women’s basketball.

About Blaine Fowler

Blaine Fowler played quarterback on the BYU football team from 1981 to 1985, after which he played for the Canadian Football League. Later, Fowler joined KSL as a football commentator and then contributed his talents to Video West Sports, the Blue and White Network and SportsWest. Fowler currently works as an analyst for football and men’s basketball on The Mtn.

About Gary Sheide

Regarded by many as the first product of BYU’s legendary “Quarterback Factory,” Gary Sheide was recruited by LaVell Edwards and became one of the first quarterbacks for a pass-oriented football team. In 1974, Sheide led the Cougars to the WAC Championship. That year he was also awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy, given to the year’s best passer. Sheide now coaches high school football and has served as a multi-sport television analyst for KBYU Eleven and BYUtv.