WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNCW Sports Extra, a fast-paced television show that features a unique behind-the-scenes look at Seahawk athletics, makes its debut Saturday on local and regional affiliates of EPSN2.

      The 30-minute show will air each Saturday over the next five weeks at 8:30 a.m. on local cable operators from Shallotte to Topsail Beach, and is a partnership between UNCW, Time Warner Cable and UNCW-TV. It will include close-up features on student-athletes, sports highlights, in-studio interviews, instructional segments by UNCW coaches, and other special features.

      “We’re very excited about the roll out of this new show,” said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW’s athletic director. “Our coaches and student-athletes have many interesting stories to tell outside the lines, and this will be a wonderful venue to share them.”

      A pair of juniors, Samantha Mifsud and Lucas Haskins, will serve as anchors for the program and Matt Harris, Derrick Lewis and Faiza El-Hibri will be providing reports from the field.

      “We’re delighted to work with UNCW on this project,” said Time Warner Cable’s Jeff West. “It’s a great concept and we’re very pleased to bring Seahawk fans everything even more insight into the program. We’re looking forward to making it a big success.”

      Mifsud hails from Dearborn, Mich., and is majoring in Elementary Education, with a minor in Theatre. Her first television experience came during elementary school as a reporter at Lindbergh Elementary School in Dearborn, and she also has extensive acting experience. A captain on UNCW’s cross country team and member of the track and field team, Mifsud had a part in “Cabaret” with the Opera House Theatre Company last summer and is currently rehearsing for the part of Delores, a bank teller, in “A Wonderful Life,” which will open at Thalian Hall on Dec. 11.

      Haskins, meanwhile, is a resident of Bethesda, Md., and attended Walter Johnson High School. The 21-year-old was an anchor for Walter Johnson’s morning announcements and started his own weekly sports show during his senior year. He is majoring in Communication Studies.

      In addition to airing on local cable, the show will be aired on UNCW-TV Channel 77 and streamed on UNCWSports.com.