LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell athletic department and ESPN New Hampshire (900 AM) announced on Friday they have reached an agreement to extend their partnership to broadcast men's hockey, men's basketball and select women's basketball games on the radio for the upcoming 2014-15 season.

ESPN 900 AM, which is based in Nashua will serve as the flagship station of the River Hawk Radio Network, in addition to three affiliates that will carry live coverage of UMass Lowell sports throughout the season, which include: ESPN 1250 AM, WSMN 1590 AM and WCAP 980 AM (Lowell). Fans worldwide can also listen online at espnnhradio.com or through the ESPN Radio smartphone application.

"UMass Lowell is excited to continue our partnership with ESPN New Hampshire to help us build the River Hawk Radio Network," Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations Scott Dolch said. "Broadcasting our hockey and basketball games on four area networks helps expand our reach throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire, as well as nationally using the ESPN Radio mobile app."

This will be the River Hawks second season on commercial radio with the radio voice of the River Hawks, Bob Ellis, returning for his 31st season behind the microphone. He will be joined by color commentator Jim Connelly, a noted college hockey writer for U.S. College Hockey Online.  Both Ellis and Connelly have been honored by Hockey East as past winners of the prestigious Joe Concannon Hockey East Media Award. ESPN's Nick Anastos will handle play-by-play duties for men's basketball games, while men's basketball alum Jim Borodawka will serve as the color commentator. 

"We couldn't be more excited to have UMass Lowell back for a second year on the ESPN River Hawks Radio Network," said Jim Censabella, Managing Partner of ESPN New Hampshire.  "After the success the hockey team showed winning their second straight Hockey East Championship and what the men's basketball team did in their inaugural season, the expectations continue to soar."

The River Hawk Radio Network will broadcast all UMass Lowell Hockey and Men's Basketball contests and will for the first time broadcast select Women's Basketball games.  It will be the first time that UMass Lowell Women's Basketball has been broadcast live on a commercial radio network.