Crew partners with CSN in 2008

The Columbus Crew has announced a programming agreement with Columbus Sports Network (CSN), central Ohio's first and only all-local sports television station, to broadcast 19 games starting with the Crew's home opener vs. Toronto FC on Saturday, March 29, at 4 p.m. The one-year deal ensures that every Crew regular-season game will be available on television for the second consecutive year.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with CSN," said Chad Schroeder, the Crew's VP of Corporate Sales and Broadcasting. "Their entrance into the market was a key factor in giving our fans the opportunity to watch every regular-season game on television for the first time last year and we are thrilled to be able to provide that same access this year."

Dwight Burgess, the original "Voice of the Crew," will once again handle play-by-play duties for all CSN broadcasts, while Bill McDermott and former Crew forward Dante Washington return to split lead analyst duties. Katie Witham will provide sideline reporting on all home telecasts.

Burgess returns for his 13th season behind the microphone for the club and his 18th calling professional soccer play-by-play. A 27-year broadcast veteran, Burgess was a standout collegiate player, splitting time between DePauw University and the University of Dayton. Twice selected to developmental camps for the United States National Program, Burgess served as captain for two regional teams in international friendly matches against clubs from West Germany and Chile.

Burgess holds a National Coaching License and has worked at the club, high school, and collegiate levels. He is currently the men's and women's head coach at Capital University in Columbus, where he has twice been named conference coach of the year. In 2007, he was tabbed Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year and was one of eight nominees for National Coach of the Year. A former NSCAA clinician, Burgess currently serves on the Crew Juniors coaching staff and previously worked on the Ohio South Olympic Development Program State Staff.

"This is a perfect fit for us," said Mark Bivenour, senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for CSN. "The Crew organization is recognized as one of the most innovative and best-run in all of pro sports. Our partnership with the Crew offers us the perfect marketing vehicle for our advertisers to reach the active audience they need to reach, while showcasing our quality production and a quality franchise. It also enables us to spread the word about CSN and to attract additional sponsors that are just learning about our year-old local sports network."

Single-game tickets for the 2008 home season are on sale now at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all Central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 614-431-3600 and on-line at TheCrew.com. Fans can still become Crew Soccer Nation members, as well, by purchasing full-season ticket packages or partial plans. Group tickets are also available for all 15 home games. All ticket packages and plans are available by calling 614-447-CREW and at TheCrew.com.

About CSN

CSN will be central Ohio's most comprehensive sports authority, providing timely on-air and online coverage of premier sporting events and compelling news. CSN will televise more than 250 local events each year, showcasing central Ohio's professional, collegiate, scholastic and amateur sports and related news. Beginning March 24, CSN will be broadcast on Channels 78 and 524 on the Insight cable system, Channel 97 on the WOW cable system, and over-the-air on Channel 32. Time Warner Cable Mid-Ohio Division plans to carry it on Channel 78.

About the Crew

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members and U.S. Open Cup champion in 2002, it will open its 13th season overall and 10th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 29, when it plays host to Eastern Conference-rival Toronto FC.