Hailey
Here’s great news for fans of small‑college sports! The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) has teamed up with the Urban Edge Network (UEN) for a five‑year streaming deal.
Starting now and running through the 2028–29 school year, this partnership will bring live sports coverage from all 14 KCAC schools directly to viewers in a simple, modern way.
This change will make it easier than ever for students, families, and fans to watch their favourite teams. Read on to learn what this means for everyone involved.
What’s Happening: KCAC + UEN Partnership
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) has signed a five‑year media rights deal with Urban Edge Network (UEN).
This means UEN will be the official streaming partner for all sports events in the KCAC until the end of the 2028–29 academic year. That’s a big step for a small‑college league!
Better Streaming for Fans Everywhere
With this deal, the KCAC events will be streamed live on the UEN platform and on the KCAC’s own network. That means fans can watch games easily, whether they’re on campus, at home, or anywhere else.
The goal is to bring high‑quality sports coverage to people who might have missed out before. It will be simpler, brighter, and more reliable for everyone following KCAC sports.
What KCAC Leaders Say
Dr. Jon C. Gering, President of Bethel College and spokesperson for the KCAC Board of Presidents, said, “On behalf of the KCAC Board of Presidents, I want to welcome UEN… Our 14‑member schools are excited to offer the UEN streaming services…
UEN impressed us with their business model, ease of engagement for our SIDs, and understanding of small college athletics. We look forward to working with them to maximize viewership of our high‑quality athletic events.”
Those are powerful words! The emphasis on a user‑friendly system, solid business model, and support for Sports Information Directors (SIDs) shows UEN can handle the needs of small colleges in a big way.
What UEN Says
Hardy L. Pelt, Founding Member and Chief Revenue Officer of UEN, said, “We are thrilled to announce our media rights partnership with the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
This collaboration marks a revolutionary opportunity to elevate high‑level athletic competition through our dynamic broadcasting.
By leveraging UEN’s innovative ad tech, we will showcase the exceptional talent of KCAC’s member institutions and maximize viewership reach across diverse geographic locations.
This partnership is about more than sports; it’s about creating a vibrant community that connects athletes and fans like never before.”
That means UEN will use modern advertising technology to help the KCAC reach viewers far and wide. It’s not just about showing games—it’s about building a community of students, alumni, and fans who can all stay connected.
Why This Partnership Matters
This agreement is a big deal for a few reasons:
- Boosts exposure for small colleges – KCAC schools will get better online visibility.
- Improves access – Fans everywhere can watch games easily and reliably.
- Helps SIDs – Sports information staff get a smoother, easier‑to‑use system to manage streams.
- Sets a new standard – UEN is showing how smaller conferences can take control of their content and share it widely without depending on big networks.
Urban Edge Network’s Bigger Mission
UEN isn’t stopping at KCAC. This deal is part of UEN’s growth into streaming NAIA sports (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)—an important sector often missed by major platforms.
By offering control over content and embracing innovative streaming tools, UEN helps smaller schools manage their own broadcasts—and deliver them in high quality to fans and alumni.
How This Helps Students and Communities
- Students get a chance to see their teams easily, even if they’re studying abroad or far from campus.
- Families don’t miss games due to distance or bad streaming.
- Alumni and fans can stay connected, show support, and enjoy sports from anywhere.
- Communities feel proud and involved when their local colleges get national‑level coverage.
This partnership between KCAC and UEN is a game‑changer for college sports broadcasting in smaller conferences.
By combining UEN’s modern streaming platform and ad‑tech with KCAC’s 14‑member institutions, the deal promises easier access to live games, better support for sports teams, and more ways to connect with fans and communities.
Over the next five years, this collaboration will set a new digital standard for how small college sports are shared and celebrated.