STAN VAN GUNDY JOINS NBC SPORTS NETWORK’S COVERAGE OF NAVY-MARINE CORPS CLASSIC
Former NBA Head Coach Makes National-Television Debut as Analyst for Georgetown-Florida Basketball Game aboard USS Bataan
***
VAN GUNDY ALSO JOINS NBC SPORTS RADIO AS REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR
Will Make Weekly Guest Appearances on NBC Sports Radio Programs & Co-Host Weekly Show
NEW YORK – November 1, 2012 – Former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy will begin an on-going relationship with the NBC Sports Group by joining NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the inauguralNavy-Marine Corps Classic, and by becoming a regular contributor to NBC Sports Radio. Van Gundywill make his national-television debut by serving as an analyst during the inaugural Navy-Marine Corps Classic, featuring college basketball powers Georgetown vs. No. 10 Florida, on Friday, November 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be played on the deck of the USS Bataan, at Mayport Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.
With 31 years of college and pro basketball coaching experience, Van Gundy brings a wealth of knowledge to his first-ever national-television assignment. After 15 years in the college game and amassing a 135-92 (.595) record in eight years as a college head coach, Van Gundy moved to the NBA in 1995. After eight years as an assistant coach, he compiled a 371-208 (.641) record as a head coach for the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
“It will be a night of firsts as we launch the college basketball season with this inaugural event and the debut of Stan in a national-television booth,” said Dan Steir, SVP, Production, and Senior Coordinating Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “When you talk and listen to Stan he just oozes so much candid opinion, knowledge and passion for the game of basketball. This is the perfect way for us to start the college basketball season in a year in which we will televise more games than ever before on NBC Sports Network. What a way to celebrate a sport and honor our Veterans.”
The Navy-Marine Corps Classic is collaboration between the Department of the Navy and the City of Jacksonville to raise continued awareness for the military. Proceeds from the Navy-Marine Classic will go directly to benefit local military affairs efforts.
Additional on-air personalities for the Navy-Marine Corps Classic will be announced soon.
“After 31 years as a coach, I’m thrilled to begin my media career with the NBC Sports Group,” said Van Gundy. “The best part is that this new relationship allows me to gush about basketball on both television and radio. It’s a privilege that my first event will be the Navy-Marine Corps Classic, which benefits Veterans and features two college basketball powerhouses. I’m excited to get started.”
In addition to the Navy-Marine Corps Classic, Van Gundy has signed on with NBC Sports Radio to be a regular contributor. Initially, he will call-in for regular guest segments on numerous NBC Sports Radio programs, contributing to the pro basketball discussion of the day. Beginning in 2013, Van Gundy will serve as a guest host every Friday for one of NBC Sports Radio’s nationally-distributed shows.
“We are thrilled to add one of the most respected and outspoken coaches in the NBA to the NBC Sports Radio roster,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International. “Our listeners will get to enjoy Stan’s unique insight into events and storylines around the league on a weekly basis.”