Southington Library To Look At Birth Of ESPN

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Area residents can get an inside look at the beginnings of ESPN during a special program at the Southington Public Library next week.

Mike Soltys will present "Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN" on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m., discussing the story behind the sports network's creation and the people who helped turn the idea into reality.

Soltys is a co-author, with ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen and Garrett Z. Sutton, of the book "Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN." The book includes a foreword by longtime ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman.

The iconic sports network was founded in 1979 in Bristol, with a campus located close to its border with Southington.

As part of the library presentation, Soltys will screen a selection from the documentary film "Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN," according to the library.

The program will explore the challenges and persistence involved in launching what became ESPN and is being billed as a look back at a significant chapter in sports media history.

Registration is not required to attend. However, participants can register in advance through the Southington Public Library's online calendar if they would like to receive an automated reminder before the event.