Military ‘Salute’ game highlights Division II national TV schedule

CBS and CBS Sports Network will broadcast 14 Division II basketball games in 2014-15, beginning with defending men’s national champion Central Missouri playing host to Northeastern State on Dec. 20 and concluding with the 2015 men’s national championship March 28. Each national broadcast also will stream live on NCAA.com and the NCAA Sports mobile app.

The inaugural DII military “Salute” game highlights the 2014-15 regular season schedule and brings together Peach Belt Conference rivals Lander and Georgia Regents on Feb. 21, in a partnership with U.S. Army installation Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia.

"We are grateful to CBS Sports Network for allowing us to be a part of their television schedule this year," GRU Director of Athletics Clint Bryant said. "We have great student-athletes and this televised event will give national exposure to our program, athletic department and university."

The “Operation JAGMAW” homecoming event on Georgia Regent’s campus will feature all nine colleges of the university engaged in military initiatives throughout homecoming week, including the unveiling of a game day Ring of Honor for Fort Gordon soldiers. A swearing in ceremony will occur at halftime during the game and, in addition to other joint initiatives, each team will wear military-themed uniforms to be auctioned, the funds from which will benefit military families. Fans will receive free camouflaged shirts as well as handheld American Flags upon entry.   

"GRU's military appreciation game has become an annual tradition for us, and we're grateful for their support of our service members and families," said Col. Samuel Anderson, the Fort Gordon garrison commander. "Now that our partnership with GRU and the NCAA is becoming more formalized, we look forward to a closer relationship with the university that benefits the student body and our military community. It should be a great game and a great milestone in the Army's evolving partnership with the NCAA."

Earlier this year, Division II established a pilot program partnering a conference and its schools with neighboring military installations to demonstrate the advantages and benefits of linking schools, student-athletes, military installations and local communities together. The Peach Belt Conference, Georgia Regents and Fort Gordon are charter members of the growing initiative.

“College sports and the military share similar values and we both work to train and prepare future leaders,” said Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president of Division II. “In Division II, we believe our longstanding commitment to community and the military’s appreciation in promoting education, leadership and service make for unique opportunities of joint engagement.”