The narrative for athletics at Coast Guard Academy, frequently debated on base, off base (and often exposing a few obstructionists who are way off base) changes today. It must. Because not even the narrow-thinking "are they there to be officers or football players?" crowd can debate the value - the necessity - of sports at the military hamlet by the Thames after this.

Put it this way: What other wing of the place could open a two-hour national television window not merely for the Academy, but the entire Coast Guard structure?

That's right. Coast Guard goes national today from 1-3 p.m. on ESPNU. All thanks to athletic director Tim Fitzpatrick and the men's basketball program. ESPN's continuing "Armed Forces Classic" tournament sends the Worldwide Leader to the United States Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico today for two basketball games.

The Bears play Hampden-Sydney at 1 p.m. on the U, preceding the ESPN-televised Pitino Bowl, Louisville and Minnesota, coached by Rick Pitino and son Richard Pitino respectively.

Now for more under the category of utterly cool: Louisville's traditional red and white uniforms will also feature light blue trim, bearing the words "Semper Paratus," the Coast Guard's official motto, which means "Always Ready" in Latin.

"Tim had the idea to get Coast Guard involved in this and what a great opportunity this is for us," Coast Guard coach Kevin Jaskiewicz said earlier this week, before the Bears' departure. "First and foremost, it's great for the service. The attention will allow everybody watching to see all the great work Coast Guard does on a daily basis. It's great for our kids and Division III basketball and everybody associated with it."

Now maybe you understand a little better why Fitzpatrick's name was mentioned recently for the vacant athletic director's position at Air Force. The man's work has been brilliant here. This is merely another example.

Former Duke guard Jay Williams and Andy Katz, one of the top basketball writers in the country, will be part of the broadcast team. They'll provide Jaskiewicz and associate head coach Bob Bono with plenty of fodder for recruiting, not to mention a national forum. Rather exciting to think about who might be watching this game, no?

"Kids that we're recruiting for 2015 and 2016 are telling us already, 'coach we can't wait to see it,' and some others have their DVRs set if they're in school," Jaskiewicz said. "This trip for me is about the life experience for our players. Every kid, myself included, grew up wanting to play on ESPN. Now our kids have a chance to do it."

The Bears, not all that far removed from making the Elite Eight (2008), have struggled in recent years. They were 5-20 last year. And yet they probably have the perfect guy leading the program. Jaskiewicz was an assistant under Glen Miller at Connecticut College for two initial seasons that produced a combined 10 wins. It wasn't long until the Camels made the Division III Final Four.

Coast Guard has nine players back this season and added seven freshmen. Happier days will be here again soon.

"When we were struggling at Conn, we believed we were going to get it right," Jaskiewicz said. "But until you have that breakthrough year - we believe we are on the right path here, too - you really don't know."

"Anybody who knows me knows I've never lacked self-confidence," he said. "I have full confidence in everything we're doing. I also know winning is really hard. We played in 10 games that were decided by 10 points or fewer last year. We lost all 10. If we won all 10, we'd have been 15-10 and this would be a different narrative."

Ah, but the best part of a new season is the chance at a new narrative. And not many (any?) other Division III schools get to write one that begins on national television.

It's Coast Guard Day In America today. Tune in at 1 or set the DVR. And remember: It's athletics paving the way.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius