The 11:30 p.m. Thursday show looks at Ball State athletics while highlighting events and featuring interviews with coaches and players.

"This is the only local sports show that focuses on Ball State athletics, but it doesn't have the traditional format of the talking heads," said faculty adviser Mike Spillman. "It focuses on football and basketball, as well as field hockey, soccer, swimming and volleyball."

The idea of the show came from John Duong, a former student who proposed a program similar to ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" and "Around the Horn."

Offered through the Department of Telecommunications, Cardinal Sports Live is one of several shows now affiliated with WIPB-TV. It originally began three years ago, first airing on Cardinal Vision.

The show started out slowly but soon became popular among the staff, coaches and athletes alike, Spillman said. One aspect of the program involves its staff challenging Ball State teams or coaches to a game in their sport.

Between 30 and 40 students ranging from freshmen to seniors are on staff.

By Jennifer Strempka