Grand Valley State athletic programs take great pride in creating a “bigger stage” to enhance the experience for student athletes, fans and alumni on game days. The Lakers have recently added to the big stage by completing a groundbreaking deal with ESPN3.

The process of obtaining this deal was a strenuous one. Communication between GVSU and ESPN began at the end of the last academic year and continued throughout the summer.

While some details of the contract are still being finalized, the broadcast schedules for the 2016-17 seasons are confirmed.

Four football games, four women’s soccer games, and three women’s volleyball games will be streamed live on ESPN3 this fall. Other sporting teams including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball will also have several of their home games streamed live on ESPN3 as well.

ESPN is one of the nation’s most popular networks, as it is available to approximately 95 million customers in the U.S., according to www.ESPN.com. Through ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app, these games can be streamed for free with permission of one’s service provider.

GVSU has worked hard over the years to separate itself from the competition on and off the playing field. From new and improved equipment and facilities, including a brand new multi-million dollar video board, all the way to social media and branding, GVSU has stayed one step ahead.

“The game day atmosphere, the fans, the tradition already make it fun to be a student athlete here,” said senior wide receiver Joe Robbins. “Now being able to play on ESPN3 shows the growth and impact GV athletics has had over the years.”

This deal with ESPN will enhance the stage that GVSU has been working on for years.

“This gives us the opportunity to show people the Grand Valley State brand,” said Associate Director of Athletics for communication Tim Nott. “This will increase our exposure nation-wide instead of just locally.”

Not only will this deal help the university from an administrative standpoint, it will also give GVSU athletics another edge in the recruiting process.

More and more young athletes desire the idea of being recognized because of their athletic abilities. They want to see their name on social media pages and they want even more to broadcast their talents in front of as many people as possible.

“It’s a great feeling knowing we get the opportunity to play on one of the biggest sports networks,” Robbins said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do growing up playing sports.”

Coaches can now use this bigger stage as a tool to leverage quality athletes to GVSU.

The next game to be streamed live on ESPN3 will be Friday, Sept. 30, when the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team takes on Tiffin at Lubbers Stadium at 7 p.m. The team is attempting to break the all-time Division II attendance record (3,227 people).