SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana and Midco Sports Network^® recently completed the second season of a partnership that has equipped Augustana with new technology to enhance live webcasts of home events. MidcoSN^® produced all of Augustana's home basketball doubleheaders in 2013-14 and 2014-15 along with other select events throughout the two years.

Men's and women's basketball games replayed on MidcoSN^® received nearly 100,000 views during the 2014-15 season.

"We are pleased to offer this capability to Augustana College and its fans -- and the viewership stats from the basketball season really show the popularity of Augustana games on MidcoSN^®. This is a great partnership," said Midcontinent VP Mark Powell, who leads MidcoSN^®.

All of the equipment used for the broadcasts is housed on a "mobile cart" that features a Pix Mica 500 switcher, two Sony PMW200 HD cameras and an AJA KiPro recorder and other various equipment that will assist in the production of the webcasts and replays. Games are also live streamed on Augustana's Stretch Internet portal which also records events for On Demand purposes.

"It is an exciting time in Augustana athletics and we are excited about the exposure we have gained from this partnership," Bryan Miller, Augustana's Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations said. "This partnership has also allowed us to enhance our live webcasts for families and fans who are unable to make it out on game night."

Augustana athletics has used the opportunity to make the streamed event like a live television broadcast.

Augustana's Stretch Internet portal, which can be reached by visiting GoAugie.com/GameCentral, received 11,156 views of men's and women's basketball games in 2014-15. Fans from the around world including Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands tuned in to view Augustana basketball games last season. Fans have also taken advantage of the On Demand feature of the GoAugie.com/GameCentral portal with over 700 views of past basketball games.

Mobile users continue to increase with 52 percent of viewers using a mobile device or tablet to view basketball games on the Stretch Internet portal. Over 50 percent of visitors on Augustana's athletics website, GoAugie.com, also come from mobile devices.

Augustana athletics will continue to explore various ways to enhance the HD broadcasts across all platforms and for all programs.