The Cleveland State men's basketball program will have an increased presence this season on WTAM, 1100 AM as not only will The Gary Waters Radio Show return for a third season, but The Big One will join the Vikings Basketball Radio Network for three games during this season.

The Gary Waters Radio Show, a weekly 60-minute call-in show about Viking basketball, returns to the airwaves beginning tonight with the first of at least 11 episodes planned during the 2009-10 season.

In addition, WTAM will air the Dec. 19 home game against West Virginia, the Dec. 22 road contest at Ohio State and the Feb. 13 home matchup with Butler.

Hosted by WTAM's Andre Knott, the Gary Waters Show will air between 8:00-9:00 p.m. for the four episodes after tonight and carrying it into the new year and from 7:00-8:00 p.m. for the final six episodes with the majority of shows being scheduled for Monday nights.

The first episode will air tonight (Nov. 10) from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

"It is great to be back on WTAM for my weekly radio show," CSU head coach Gary Waters said. "I thought WTAM's 50,000-watt clear channel signal allowed us to share the success we enjoyed the last two years by allowing our fans across the country to tune into the show. I look forward to doing the show again this year."

"WTAM is the home for sports in northeast Ohio and this partnership comes at an opportune time," CSU Director of Athletics Lee Reed said. "Under the direction of Coach Waters, the Viking basketball program has enjoyed unbelievable growth and our presence on WTAM will make us more accessible to our fan base."

"WTAM is happy to team up with Coach Waters and CSU Viking basketball for the third season," WTAM Program Director Ray Davis said. "Last season, the Vikings brought a lot of excitement to Northeast Ohio and we are pleased to add three select basketball games to The Big One's program lineup."

WTAM prides itself on up to the minute news coverage and is more than merely a news/talk station. WTAM literally steps up to the plate as an informative, entertaining, and community-oriented station through coverage of the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers games and as a dedicated sponsor to countless social service agencies. The station slogan, "The Big One," not only refers to its broadcast signal; it also refers to its community commitment.

The Vikings are coming off a 2008-09 season that saw them go 26-11, the second-highest single season win total in school history, win the Horizon League Tournament for the first time and then defeat Wake Forest to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It was only the second NCAA Tourney appearance for CSU and first since 1985-86.

CSU opens the regular season at St. Bonaventure on Friday (Nov. 13) and then returns home to open the 17-game home schedule against Wilmington College on Monday, Nov. 16 in a rare 11:30 a.m. matinee start. Tickets for the home opener are just $5 with fans being able to also purchase a ticket for $10 that includes lunch.

Tickets for the upcoming season are available by calling (216) 687-4848 or by
visiting CSUVikings.com.