Feb. 7, 2008

WASHINGTON - Verizon's FiOS1 local TV channel will present its first live broadcast on February 20th when it telecasts the George Mason University Patriots and the University of Delaware Blue Hens Division I NCAA men's college basketball game from the Patriot Center. Coverage begins at 9 p.m.

"Verizon's FiOS1 is committed to delivering content that touches lives and shows our commitment to communities," said Michelle Webb, executive producer and general manager of FiOS1. "We're proud to bring our customers live coverage of a critical match-up, as George Mason University and the University Delaware battle on the court in this CAA conference rematch. We look forward to bringing our customers more great match-ups throughout the year."

BJ Koubaroulis, sports columnist for the Washington Post, will call the game. Craig Esherick joins Koubaroulis in the booth. Esherick is a former Georgetown University head coach and assistant basketball coach and scout for the U.S.Men's Olympic Basketball Team at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

"Verizon FiOS is a new innovative player in the market of sports broadcasting and we are thrilled to be a part of their first live sports broadcast. They share the same philosophy as we do at Mason which is a commitment to the community," said Mason Athletic Director Tom O'Connor.

Last season the Patriots appeared on television a record 24 times, including three times during the CAA Championship. This season, with the addition of the FiOS1 game, Mason basketball will be shown a record 26 times during the regular season as well as any additional games in the CAA tournament.

FiOS1, Verizon's first local TV channel in the United States, delivers Washington metro weather, traffic, sports and community features. FiOS1 is on Channel 1 in the Verizon FiOS TV channel lineup and is available at no extra cost to Verizon FiOS TV digital subscribers in Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland.