Comcast to cover Quakers

For die-hard fans of Penn football who can't attend every home game, there is now an alternative to watching from the stands at Franklin Field. Those fans who live in Philadelphia can now tune into Comcast Channel 8 for live broadcasts of several Penn football games. In addition, within a year, Comcast plans to expand its viewing radius, allowing more Penn alumni and parents to enjoy their weekly dose of Ivy sports. Beginning with Saturday's 17-6 win over Dartmouth, Penn fans were treated to live telecasts of Gavin Hoffman, Brandon Carson and the rest of the '99 Quakers. Comcast Channel 8, however, is not received by ResNet or Wade Cablevision, the local Philadelphia cable network providers. "We don't gear ourselves to put it on campus because we want students to come to the game," said Director of Athletic Development Decker Uhlhorn. Uhlhorn noted, though, that Comcast plans to expand its broadcast area to extend from Washington, D.C., to New York, so that a wider range of fans can partake in the games. Later this fall, Comcast CN8 will air two more Penn football games, versus Brown and Princeton. These games were chosen based both on last year's play and their popularity with Penn fans. "They are our 'big' Ivy games," Uhlhorn said. · In addition, Comcast SportsNet -- which airs Philadelphia professional sports teams such as the Sixers, Flyers and the Phillies -- will pick up next week's Penn-Villanova football game, because of its immense local interest. And unlike CN8, SportsNet is available on Wade Cablevision, allowing students who live off campus to watch the 5 p.m. game at Franklin Field from their homes. SportsNet is not, however, available on ResNet. The Quakers and Wilcats have not met since 1980, and a larger-than-usual crowd at Franklin Field is expected for the matchup between the two Philadelphia schools. And to hype the Penn-Villanova game, SportsNet is pulling out the stops. Quakers basketball star Michael Jordan and Wildcats guard Brian Lynch filmed a commercial for SportsNet promoting this much-anticipated football matchup. The two Big 5 rivals were taped playing hoops on the floor of the Palestra -- but with a football, not a basketball. The humorous spot will air several times this upcoming week. In addition, SportsNet's Daily News Live -- a roundtable discussion of sportswriters from the Philadelphia Daily News -- is also be doing a great deal of promotion for the Quakers-Wildcats matchup next Saturday. This afternoon, the implications of the game will be discussed on Daily News Live by Penn coach Al Bagnoli and Villanova coach Andy Talley. Bagnoli and Talley will join host Michael Barkann and several sportswriters for a special segment on the show, which airs from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday brings Penn Athletic Director Steve Bilsky and his Villanova counterpart, Tim Hofferth, to the air. Wednesday's show features Daily Pennsylvanian Sports Editor Rick Haggerty, as well as a sports writer from The Villanovan. On Thursday, the tentative SportsNet lineup features Quakers football legend Chuck Bednarik and former Villanova great Howie Long -- currently a commentator for football on Fox.