September 4, 1998

Villanova Athletic Director Tim Hofferth today announced that the Wildcats have extended their contract with WPHT- Talk Radio 1210 AM to continue airing Villanova men's basketball. Villanova's relationship with WPHT, a CBS affiliate and 50,000-clear watt channel, began in 1985.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue our relationship with WPHT," Hofferth said. "WPHT allows our radio broadcasts to be of the highest quality and maximizes our exposure, not only in this region but in other parts of the country as well. We want to give Villanova fans the best, and this is really a great situation."

Chris Claus, Vice President and General Manager for WPHT, added, "The station has always enjoyed the relationship with Villanova and is delighted to have extended this partnership."

Additionally, beginning with the 1998-99 season, Ryan Fannon will assume play-by-play responsibilities for the Wildcats. Fannon is a 1993 Villanova graduate who also serves as Marketing and Broadcast Coordinator for the Villanova Athletic Department. He has been a member of the Villanova Football and Basketball Radio Networks since 1993, handling color commentary duties for Wildcat football, while serving as both pre-game and post-game host for men's basketball broadcasts.

Fannon joins color commentator Whitey Rigsby, a former Wildcat basketball player and long-time member of the radio team, on the mike this season. He replaces Andy Musser, who served as Wildcat play-by-play man for 10 years.

"Ryan has always been an extremely loyal, hard working member of our team in the Athletic Department," Hofferth said. "We feel that he is very talented, and will lend a unique perspective to our basketball radio broadcasts. We are excited to have him as our play-by-play announcer."