ESPN’s NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Telecasts to Feature “SkyCam” for the First Time Ever - May 24 and May 26

All Three Games Available in High Definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD

For the first time ever, ESPN will utilize “SkyCam” for its coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse National Semifinals and Championship. The national semifinals will be aired on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com on Saturday, May 24:  #3 Syracuse vs. #2 Virginia at noon ET, followed by reigning National Champion #5 Johns Hopkins vs. #1 Duke at 2 p.m.  The winners will advance to the national championship on ESPN and ESPN360.com on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at 1 p.m.   In addition, for only the second time, all three lacrosse games will be available in high definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.  

“SkyCam” operates on a series of wires above the playing field and is able to go from end line to end line, sideline to sideline, and as high as 40 feet.  The unmanned, remote-controlled camera, can move 30 miles per hour in order to get into position, generally “behind the ball” so as to not interfere with play. “SkyCam” technology was first utilized by ESPN in 2001 during an NFL pre-season telecast and is now featured regularly on ESPN’s college football telecasts among other sports.

Dave Ryan, Quint Kessenich and Rob Simmelkjaer will call the games from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.  During the semifinal and championship telecasts, fans will also hear commentary from the officials, who will be miked to bring viewers closer to the on-field action.

The ESPN networks televise all 15 games from the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.  In 2008, ESPNU nationally televised the most Division I regular-season college lacrosse games (32).  The schedule showcased top programs from across the country.

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