This is the first time that every Coast Guard football game, both home and away, will be broadcast live on the over-the-air-radio. WXLM, the Southeastern Connecticut home of the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees, also has a free mobile phone app for iPhone, Droid and Blackberry users so you can listen to the game on the go.

2012 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

“I think this is a great opportunity for the local community to become familiar and get behind and support not only for our football team, but also the Academy,” said Coast Guard Academy head football coach Bill George. “We are looking forward to another exciting season and we hope to add a whole new fan base with this partnership with Cumulus.”

Coast Guard will open the 2012 season at home on Sept. 8th vs. the Merchant Marine Academy in the annual battle for the Secretaries’ Cup with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to enter this partnership, and are proud to bring Coast Guard Bears football broadcasts to the listeners here in Southeastern Connecticut,” said Mark Stachowski, General Manager of Cumulus Broadcasting. “The Academy is such a prestigious place and we hope this is the beginning of a long partnership.”

The Bears will have five home games this season, including back-to-back games on Sept. 29th vs. Fitchburg State on Homecoming Weekend and Oct. 6th against Bridgewater State to celebrate Parents’ Weekend. As well two straight home games vs. Framingham State on Oct. 27th and Maine Maritime on Nov. 3rd to close out the regular season.

“We’re very excited to be able to partner with Cumulus Broadcasting to bring Coast Guard Bears football broadcasts to our fans in New London and across Southeastern Connecticut,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, Coast Guard Academy Director of Athletics. “This is a wonderful opportunity to draw positive attention to our football program and the academy as a whole.“

The Bears return 16 starters, seven on offense, led by junior running back Tyler Hames, from Milford, Connecticut, who rushed for 683 yards and seven touchdowns last season and caught 32 passes for 288 yards and a pair of scores. Another Connecticut product, senior Pat Meggers, from Manchester, will start at one of the wide receiver spots for the Bears.

Coast Guard returns ten starters on defense led by senior co-captain inside linebacker Curt Barrett, who led the team with 65 tackles, 36 solo, 11.5 for loss and three sacks last season.

The Bears were 2-7 overall last season and 2-5 in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division.