Fairmont State, Notre Dame Matchup Selected For DII Showcase

Fairmont State University's football contest against Notre Dame College on Thursday, Oct. 4 will be highlighted during this season's NCAA Division II Showcase, the association announced today. The game will kickoff at 7:05 p.m. at Duvall-Rosier Field.
 
The game is one of 11 that are part of a hybrid distribution model, with the flexibility to be distributed on TV and online. NCAA Division II will work with participating conferences and schools on the opportunity to air the games on TV. These games will also be distributed online through NCAA social media accounts – specifically, Division II Facebook (facebook.com/ncaadivisionii) and Twitter (@NCAADII) – and could be distributed through conference or school digital networks.
 
Fairmont State and Notre Dame finished the 2017 season in a tie for second place in the MEC standing with 8-2 conference marks. In addition, each of the last two matchups have been decided by five points or less, including Fairmont State's 23-19 victory in 2016 to seal a NCAA playoff spot, and Notre Dame's 19-14 win last season in South Euclid.
 
"Division II student-athletes will continue to see their successes highlighted on a national stage in the new broadcast agreement," said Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president of Division II. "We are excited to continue to collaborate with ESPN to promote regular-season games. We are also excited to offer a hybrid model that could include linear and online distribution. Fans will have the chance to watch student-athletes who achieve success both on and off the field and participate in Division II's Life in the Balance collegiate experience."
 
Games included in the scheduled were broadcasts were selected from a pool of conference nominations. Of the 16 football-sponsoring conferences in Division II, 15 will be featured in at least one game. One conference declined to participate due to an existing media rights agreement.

"The football showcase has an outstanding slate of games," said Reid Amos, chair of the Division II Football Committee and commissioner of the Mountain East Conference. "We have the opportunity to continue to highlight our exciting brand of football in NCAA Division II, culminating with the championship in December."