MInnetonka, MN - The Catholic Sports Network officially launched today and will live stream 9 regular season football games this season featuring games with the Academy of Holy Angels and Benilde-St. Margaret's.  Designed to promote the network's member schools, the Catholic Sports Network will focus on the football programs this fall with the ability to expand to winter and spring sports.  

This year's schedule features five Academy of Holy Angels Stars games to go along with 4 Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights games.  Both teams have been consistent performers in Class AAAA Minnesota High School football.  The Red Knights are the defending State Class AAAA champions after posting a 10-3 record.  The Stars finished the 2016 season 4-6 after falling to the Red Knights in the Section 4 final and will be looking to advance to the state tournament this season while the Red Knights will be working to defend their crown. 

Each Friday night a game featuring one or both of the teams will be webcast live on the CatholicSportsNetwork.org.  Other features of the site will include team information, weekly coaches corner podcast updates, player and team statistics, and a look at Catholic grade schools within each team's area.  

"We are looking forward to launching our first season of the Catholic Sports Network and are interested to see where it could go," Academy of Holy Angels Activities Director Michael Kautzman said. "It is a way for us to reach out to our current and alumni communities as a whole and also to give our athletic programs some exposure."

The newly formed network was featured in the Catholic Spirit Magazine.  Arch Bishop Bernard Hebda will also be celebrating Mass on Friday September 4th at 4pm prior to the Stars game with the Hill-Murray Pioneers.  Hebda is scheduled to join the broadcast for an interview at some point during the opener on Friday night.