Mississippi Public Broadcasting and Mississippi High School Activities Association announce partnership

( Jackson , Miss.) ¾ Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) have teamed up to bring statewide television coverage of the 2007 and 2008 High School Basketball and Football Championships.

This first-time agreement between MPB and MHSAA guarantees two years of live coverage across the state for both the basketball and football championships of the state's public high schools. It further guarantees that all boys' and girls' games in all the divisions will be seen statewide.

According to Gene Edwards, MPB Deputy Director of Content, the good of the state's young people were in mind with this one-of-a-king partnership which represents substantial investments by both MHSAA and MPB. “Both parties really brought forth tremendous resources to the table. We have great respect for the work the MHSAA has done with young people.”

Dr. Ennis Proctor, MHSAA Executive Director, commented, “Our mutual commitment to serve Mississippians is the basis of our partnership. It's exciting to know that because of this agreement between MPB and MHSAA, for the next two years those who would not ordinarily be able to come to a game will be able to watch their teams.”

“This partnership provides MPB with the unique opportunity to broadcast statewide the high school championship games, which are very important to the parents, students and communities supporting their schools and players,” said MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon.

To catch all the slams, the jams and the fast breaks of The MHSAA Cellular South State Basketball Tournament live from the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on March 8, 9 and 10, tune to Mississippi Public Broadcasting during these scheduled times:

Thursday, March 8

7:00 p.m. 3A Girls Championship

8:30 p.m. 3A Boys Championship

Friday, March 9

1:00 p.m. 4A Girls Championship

2:30 p.m. 4A Boys Championship

7:00 p.m. 1A Girls Championship

8:30 p.m. 1A Boys Championship

Saturday, March 10

1:00 p.m. 2A Girls Championship

2:30 p.m. 2A Boys Championship

6:00 p.m. 5A Girls Championship

7:30 p.m. 5A Boys Championship

For more information regarding this and other programming on MPB, visit www.mpbonline.org .

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Kathy Broom
Feb 20, 2007	601.432.6683
Mississippi Public Broadcasting and Mississippi High School Activities Association announce partnership
( Jackson , Miss.) ¾ Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) have teamed up to bring statewide television coverage of the 2007 and 2008 High School Basketball and Football Championships. This first-time agreement between MPB and MHSAA guarantees two years of live coverage across the state for both the basketball and football championships of the state's public high schools. It further guarantees that all boys' and girls' games in all the divisions will be seen statewide. According to Gene Edwards, MPB Deputy Director of Content, the good of the state's young people were in mind with this one-of-a-king partnership which represents substantial investments by both MHSAA and MPB. “Both parties really brought forth tremendous resources to the table. We have great respect for the work the MHSAA has done with young people.” Dr. Ennis Proctor, MHSAA Executive Director, commented, “Our mutual commitment to serve Mississippians is the basis of our partnership. It's exciting to know that because of this agreement between MPB and MHSAA, for the next two years those who would not ordinarily be able to come to a game will be able to watch their teams.” “This partnership provides MPB with the unique opportunity to broadcast statewide the high school championship games, which are very important to the parents, students and communities supporting their schools and players,” said MPB Executive Director Marie Antoon. To catch all the slams, the jams and the fast breaks of The MHSAA Cellular South State Basketball Tournament live from the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on March 8, 9 and 10, tune to Mississippi Public Broadcasting during these scheduled times: Thursday, March 8 7:00 p.m. 3A Girls Championship 8:30 p.m. 3A Boys Championship Friday, March 9 1:00 p.m. 4A Girls Championship 2:30 p.m. 4A Boys Championship 7:00 p.m. 1A Girls Championship 8:30 p.m. 1A Boys Championship Saturday, March 10 1:00 p.m. 2A Girls Championship 2:30 p.m. 2A Boys Championship 6:00 p.m. 5A Girls Championship 7:30 p.m. 5A Boys Championship For more information regarding this and other programming on MPB, visit www.mpbonline.org .