For the first time in school history, Valparaiso University will have a live TV package as VU and WYIN-Channel 56 in accordance with the Mid-Continent Conference have agreed to air seven men's basketball games during the 2004-05 season, announced Mark LaBarbera, VU's director of athletics.

Channel 56 will air the following VU men's basketball games live: Jan. 10 ? Valpo at Oakland, 6 p.m.; Jan. 13 ? UMKC at Valpo, 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 24 ? Oakland at Valpo, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 5 ? Centenary at Valpo, 7:05 p.m.; Feb. 12 ? IUPUI at Valpo, 7:05 p.m.; Feb. 26 ? Valpo at Oral Roberts, 7:05 p.m.; and Feb. 28 ? Valpo at UMKC, 7 p.m.

Valpo's home game on Jan. 8 against Oral Roberts will air on a tape-delayed basis.

?We are excited to be partnering with WYIN TV-56 and the Mid-Con to provide live coverage of our men's basketball team," LaBarbera said. ?This change will bring the excitement of Valpo basketball into every living room in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Live broadcasts are the proper means of conveying the quality and success of our program."

Valpo head coach Homer Drew expressed his excitement about the new live television package.

?We are extremely excited about expanding our live television coverage through Channel 56," Drew said. ?Valpo is the only Division I school in Northwest Indiana and live television games on Channel 56 allows us the opportunity to share our basketball product with many more fans."