ESPN, Twitter Expand Video Tweets

Posted: May 14, 2013 by BallStateCT in Sports Media
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Phot by Dani Palmer | The Herald BulletinIn March, the students of Ball State Sports Link were helping Turner Sports and NCAA March Madness pioneer a new trend of clipping and sharing real-time video highlights through Twitter.

Through technology provided by Snappy TV, the Sports Link crew clipped over 2,000 highlights.

The trend is growing.

The Wall Street Journal reports ESPN and Twitter Inc. have announced a major expansion of their collaboration to post sports-related videos on the short-messaging service—part of a growing wave of tie-ups as TV networks and Twitter hunt for new advertising revenue.

ESPN plans to show video-highlight clips on Twitter of major sports events in the coming year, including from soccer matches leading up to the World Cup, college football and the X Games extreme-sports tournaments. People can watch the video clips on Twitter’s website and mobile apps shortly after the action happens on TV.

“We want to be able to push ESPN’s…content wherever sports fans are,” said Eric Johnson, ESPN’s executive vice president of multimedia sales. “Twitter is a great opportunity for us to do that.”

While Twitter is best known as a way to share 140-character text messages, the service now allows companies to post longer story summaries, photos and videos that can pop up without jumping away from Twitter.com or Twitter apps.

The company has fixated on television to press one of its major advantages over Facebook —its status as a hub for digital conversations about breaking news and other live events, especially on television.

Nielsen says 40% of people who use a smartphone in the U.S. visit a social network while watching television.

Twitter and the TV networks are going after the same prize: a slice of the roughly $350 billion annual spending on world-wide TV advertising, according to Nielsen. Some research shows social media is boosting viewership of live television, and the TV networks and Twitter are eager to capitalize”

“There is certainly a lot of interest from broadcasters,” said Glenn Brown, Twitter’s head of promoted content and sponsorships. “Video is very popular on the Web; it’s what our TV partners are good at doing, and it’s an area that ad partners are most interested in.”

Ball State Earns Five Nominations; 2013 College Sports Media Awards

Posted: May 9, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features, Production Blogs, Sports Media
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By Sports Video Group 

CSMA2013-wufooAfter receiving a record number of submissions, Sports Video Group and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2013 College Sports Media Awards.

Ball State Sports Link, the nation’s first fully immersive sports media and production program, earned five nominations in its division.  The five nominations are the most of any school, while Ball State is the only school to get nominations in all four categories in the competition.

Representing a wide array of college athletic and academic departments, as well as professional networks, production companies, and student productions, the nominees are spread across four divisions in a total of 16 categories.

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges and announced at a ceremony on May 29 at the SVG College Sports Summit in Atlanta.

“The 2013 College Sports Media Awards is a testament to the ever growing investment in production at the networks and on campus,” says Tom Buffolano, chairman of the SVG College Sports Summit. “We have seen a significant increase in production from college students in particular, who have more hands-on opportunities that prepare them for the next level.  This bodes well for the growth of the industry as a whole.”

This year’s competition saw a 28% increase in total entries and demonstrated an even higher level of quality than in years past.

“With digital and video content becoming more integral in our industry, we want to thank the institutions who entered deserving sports-video productions for a CSMA,” says NACDA Executive Director Bob Vecchione. “We had increased submissions this year and look forward to honoring NACDA member institutions who are at the forefront of technology at the College Sports Summit.”

The Sports Video Group and NACDA extend their congratulations to all of the nominees.

2013 SVG/NACDA College Sports Video Awards Nominees

DIVISION: COLLEGIATE STUDENT

Live Game and Event Production

Ball State Sports Link | Men’s Volleyball – Loyola vs. Ball State
ICTV/Ithaca College | Football – Ithaca vs. Union
ICTV/Ithaca College | Men’s Basketball – Ithaca vs. Utica
IUP-TV/Indiana University (PA) | Men’s Basketball – IUP vs. West Chester (Division II PSAC Semifinals)
St. Cloud State University | Men’s Ice Hockey – St. Cloud State vs. Alaska-Anchorage
University of Oklahoma | Oklahoma Women’s Gymnastics

Program Series

Ball State Sports Link | 3rd Down Chirp
St. Cloud State University | Husky Mag
Texas Tech University | Double T Insider
Gamecock Productions/University of South Carolina | Gamecock Spotlight
University of Oklahoma | Sooner Sports Pad
University of Utah | University of Utah Gymnastics (ESPNU Campus Connection)

Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign

Ball State Sports Link | Ball State Softball Promo
Central Michigan University | CMU Jersey Reveal Promo
Central Michigan University | CMU Football Pro Day
Drexel University | I Am A Dragon
Gamecock Productions/University of South Carolina | Softball Intro Video

Special Feature

Ball State Sports Link | Diving Over Fear: The Jake Brehmer Story
Ball State Sports Link | Finding Refuge
Gamecock Productions/University of South Carolina | University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Story of a Program
ICTV/Ithaca College | Final Bout
Texas Tech University | Midnight Matador Retires
University of Alabama | Alabama Softball Tornado Feature

DIVISION: NATIONAL NETWORKS/PROFESSIONAL

Live Game and Event Production

CBS Sports | Men’s Basketball – 2013 NCAA Championship, Michigan vs. Louisville
CBS Sports | Football – 2012 SEC Championship, Georgia vs. Alabama
ESPN | Men’s Basketball – Gonzaga vs. Butler
ESPN | Wrestling – NCAA Championships
Fox Sports | Football – Texas at Oklahoma State
Pac-12 Networks | Women’s Volleyball – UCLA vs. Washington

Program Series

Big Ten Network | The Journey: Big Ten Basketball 2013
Big Ten Network | The Journey: Big Ten Football 2013
CBS Sports Network | 2013 College Hockey
ESPN | ESPN College GameDay
Turner Sports | NCAA.com Lowe’s Spotlight Performer

Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign

Big Ten Network | The Journey: Big Ten Football 2012
CBS Sports | 2013 Final Four Tease
CBS Sports Network | Tom Selleck College Football Kickoff Tease
ESPN | 2012 NCAA Lacross Championship
NBC Sports | Notre Dame Institutional Campaign

Special Feature

Big Ten Network | 2012 Big Ten Football Images of the Year
Big Ten Network | Big Hit: 15 Years Later
ESPN | Daniel Rodriguez: A Promise to Play
ESPN | E:60 Committed
ESPN | E:60 Remember Bluffton
ESPN | Fist Bump: A Brotherly Bond
ESPN | Kick of Hope
Turner Sports | NCAA.com Bill Curry: Life in Football

DIVISION: REGIONAL/LOCAL NETWORKS

Live Game and Event Production

FOX Sports West/PrimeTicket | Lott Impact Trophy
Longhorn Network | Football – Iowa State vs. Texas (Darrell Royal Tribute)
Longhorn Network | Football – Iowa State vs. Texas (The Wishbone)
Longhorn Network | Baseball – Texas Tech vs. Texas
WebStream Productions | Horizon League Men’s Basketball Tournament (Second Round)

Program Series

20/20 Visual Media | Temple Basketball: Above the Rim
Fox Sports South | The Panel Series
Fox Sports South | Under the Lights
Longhorn Network | GameDay
Longhorn Network | Texas Football All Access

Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign

Fox Sports South | College Football Paint
Fox Sports South | The NEW College Football Show: Bates and Bowden Campaign
Fox Sports South | Under the Lights: Southern Miss Baseball
Longhorn Network | Longhorn Network Mobile App Promo
Longhorn Network | Texas GameDay Tease: A State of Texas

Special Feature

Fox Sports South | Clemson Life Program (ACC All Access)
Fox Sports West | Manti T’eo Feature
Fox Sports West | Matt Barkley/Mike Trout Feature
Longhorn Network | Alex Silver
Longhorn Network | Darrel K Royal Poem
Longhorn Network | Storm Troopers

 

DIVISION: COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Live Game and Event Production

Florida State University | Baseball – Georgia Tech vs. Florida State
Lafayette College | Men’s Basketball – Bucknell vs. Lafayette
Southland Conference | Football – Stephen F. Austin vs. Sam Houston State
Southland Conference | Women’s Volleyball Championships
University of North Carolina | Women’s Basketball – Florida State vs. North Carolina

Program Series

Penn State University | Penn State Football 2012: The Next Chapter
Texas A&M University | Welcome to the SEC
University of Illinois | Illinois Basketball 2012-13: Toughness & Togetherness (TNT)
University of Minnesota | Pride on Ice
University of Mississippi | The Season

Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign

Clemson University | Clemson Tigers Rock
Florida State University | Florida State Baseball Promotional Campaign
University of Alabama | Alabama Men’s Basketball Intro Video
University of Dayton | Dayton Men’s Basketball Pre-Game Hype Video
University of Kentucky | Kentucky Gymnastics Intro
University of Mississippi | Ole Miss Football Team Intro

Special Feature

Appalachian State University | A Product of Your Investment
Duke University | An Inside Look at the Game Day Setup of Cameron Indoor Stadium
Northern Illinois University | NIU Athletics Lipdub
University of Dayton | The Ultimate Game Day Experience
University of Illinois | Illinois Football: Tailgating with the Zerrusens
University of Mississippi | I am Vaught-Hemingway
University of Oregon | Better Than Your Former Self
 University of Virginia | Harlem Lacross

Digital Sports Production Begins Fall 2013

Posted: May 5, 2013 by BallStateCT in Production Blogs, Sports Media
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From the Ball State Emerging Media Initiative:

 

The Department of Telecommunications has created a new Digital Sports Production sequence in the existing Digital Production option, joining Digital Audio, Digital Video and Emerging Media. This sequence will create a new partnership with the School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science through courses in Sport Administration. It also will include courses from the joint Journalism/TCOM News Track.

Using the immersive learning model of Ball State Sports Link, the Digital Sports Production sequence will specialize in multiple areas. Students will learn to produce a broad range of content from live remote productions, live- to-tape events, television programs, student-athlete features and webcasts. Other facets of the program will include radio, social media, podcasts and the use of mobile technology and interactivity via the web. The sequence will be led by Chris Taylor, Telecommunications.

When the new sequence was announced on Facebook, scores of Sports Link alumni and supporters voiced their excitement about the new program:

“Incredibly humbled and proud on this night to be a Ball State Alum. Chris Taylor helped change my life by allowing me to play a small part in the growth of Ball State Sports Link, and I couldn’t be happier to hear that his hard work has made it possible for students in the future to major in Digital Sports Production. That is just awesome on so many levels.”

“Proud to be a part of this group composed of so many talented people. Chris Taylor is the man to head it up- he has made this possible and continually pushes us to maintain the standard.”

“Glad to hear that Ball State Sports Link continues to win awards and redefine sports media at the college level. Look forward to seeing what Chris Taylor and the TCOM department can do with the new Digital Sports degree.”

“People haven’t stopped watching, and they won’t look away now. Congrats Chris Taylor and BSU.”

“Proud BSU TCOM Alumn today….made official today that TCOM now offers a Sports Production option. To my man Chris Taylor you did it, bro! Thanks for letting me be a small part of this program in its beginning.”

“Glad to know that I can now change my major to the ONLY Digital Sports Production major in the country. YES…the only one in the country. Ball State is doing it right. I remember meeting Chris Taylor for the first time. It was on a hot day in July right before I went off to Hanover to cover East Football at Team camp. I was kinda “iffy” about Ball State…until I met CT. To this day, no one has a better vision or more of a determination to do the right thing the right way than him. I am lucky to be at Ball State and lucky to have been part of this program. Thanks to all those before us. It is a team effort and always will be about the team. Proud to be a small part of this program.”

“So proud that BSU is now the only school in the nation with a Digital Sports Production major! So proud of Chris Taylor and all his hard work with Sports Link! He MADE a statement!”

“Ball State has the only Digital Sports Production major in the country! Gigantic shout-out to Chris Taylor for growing Sports Link to what it is and fostering the best learning environment imaginable. I don’t know where I would be today without him or Sports Link. STATEMENT MADE!”

“Can you name the ONLY school in the country that has a Digital Sports Production major? Ball State University. Congratulations to Chris Taylor and everyone with Ball State Sports Link!! Truly THE national leader in sports production! So proud to be a part of this amazing program!!”

Winning With The Right People

Posted: May 1, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features
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BJIqO7eCYAY8pX_.jpg largeAs I was sitting in Zeeland Stadium in Zeeland, Michigan last night watching an impressive young man named Nick Panozzo play his final home lacrosse game of his junior season, I had many thoughts running though my mind.  Most were forming yet another realization about how blessed I am and how much I love what I do.

Driving home at about 2 a.m. after a great visit with Nick and his father, my mind started racing again.  I remember my co-pilot (in more ways than one the last three years), Alex Kartman, asking if I was alright.  We were about 17-hours into our trip and almost back to Muncie when it hit me.

The last 40 minutes of that drive were flooded with memories, motivation, reminders and the reasons I made the trip in the first place.  We connected.  I don’t even know what that means, but it happened. Nick inspires me.

So does Jack Rhea in Louisvlle.  Yup, Matt McAley in Illinois.  Ashtyn Hampton in Florida. Matt Craig in Oklahoma. Allison Wilson in Bloomington.  Ryan Bickford in Muncie.

The 24 students who just made 2012-2013 a legacy year for Ball State Sports Link.  Yes sir, you all inspire me every day.  The 30-plus applications to be part of Digital Sports Production and Sports Link for next year.  Absolutely inspiring.

The students, and now alumni and professionals, who have been part of Sports Link and have made my last three years the best of my professional career.  You already know.

But enough of that, let’s get back to the last 40 minutes of the drive for some perspective.

Nick visited Ball State back in March, and in an impromptu meeting, we talked for almost two hours.  Like every name mentioned above, Nick and I have kept in contact since his visit.  I know he visited other “big” schools.  I know he could probably go to any of them.

Four years earlier, I was just days into the job at Ball State on a 10-month contract with no guarantee any of this would work when Pat Boylan walked into my office.  Four years later, numerous awards and among the top 10 for the Jim Nantz College Sports Broadcaster of the Year, Pat graduates Saturday.

I’ve witnessed Pat mature from a freshman with enormous talent into a professional who already has a full-time television play-by-play job.  More importantly, Pat and I developed a friendship greater than any award.

A couple weeks after I met Pat in 2009, I met another young man who was part of my first “class” at Ball State.  Before the trip to Zeeland to visit Nick Tuesday, we stopped by Notre Dame Fighting Irish Digital Media to visit him.

Ryan Camden, along with another former student, Nathan Bush, are leading the notredamecharge in ND’s digital media department.  Yea, that was four years ago too when we met.  See where this is going?

As they both showed me all they were doing for the Fighting Irish,  I could tell this day was going to be special.  Ryan is not just a former student, but now a professional colleague who I respect dearly.  Nathan was so excited about all he’s doing at Notre Dame, he was talking so fast I couldn’t keep up.

Proud. Inspiring. Friends.

As the drive home continued, there were so many memories and people rushing through my mind as we closed in a little closer to Muncie.  My family, especially my mom, who taught me how to be a good person and treat others with respect.  More importantly, to encourage and to believe in someone.

In many ways, the trip to Zeeland kept reminding me of my days in athletics working with student-athletes and building relationships.  The students are the reason we all have a job.  I don’t ever forget the “reason I am in it”.

Coach Brenda Frese, may nor may not read this, but she already knows.  I value you, your philosophy, your leadership styles.  How you motivate your players and more importantly, how hard you recruit and believe in future athletes, I think of every day.  I definitely thought of you on that drive last night.  You were probably making a similar drive recruiting your next national champion at Maryland.

Tim Buckley. Randy Litchfield. Tracy Roller. Mike Fleck. Bill Richards. Earl Yestingsmeier. Pete Lembo.  Thank you all too.  I know there are parts of me “coaching” Sports Link that reflect on what I’ve learned from all of you.

So as I turned onto 332 at about 3 a.m. last night and driving back to Ball State, I couldn’t be more proud of what we are building with Digital Sports Production and Sports Link.  And more importantly, the friendships.

There was no greater leader than Coach John Wooden.  His books line my shelves and night stand.

“The two qualities of friendship so important for a leader to possess and instill in team members are respect and camaraderie,” he wrote in Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections.

When he talks about camaraderie, Coach Wooden means the “comrades-in-arms” mentality that will propel a team member to give his utmost in support of his fellows–he’ll do anything for them. That sort of bond doesn’t happen without mutual respect.
panozzo
At the most fundamental level, friendship in this context means never allowing a player — or in my case a student or a fellow team member  — to become “the other.”

The success of every group, team, relationship and family depends upon the leader fostering, and the rank and file buying into, a sense of shared oneness–oneness not just of purpose but of being.

I get asked a lot, did you ever think this would happen?  Did you ever think DSP would become a “major” at Ball State?  Did you ever think Sports Link would become the national leader in digital sports production?

Even though it is happening fast, my answer is a resounding “yes“.

It’s the people.  It’s building relationships. It’s being real, having a passion for what you do and caring for people.

And Tuesday’s visit with No. 19  on the Zeeland Lacrosse team only added perspective and motivation for all of us to continue to “Make A Statement“.

Student Success

Posted: April 27, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features
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20130427-151951.jpgEarlier this week, the Department of Telecommunications at Ball State held its 17th annual Awards Banquet.

The banquet comes at the busiest time of the year for everyone involved, but also at the most rewarding time of the year. Just days before the semester ends and for the seniors, just days before graduation and the culmination of their college careers.

I am always humbled at this time of year. We have great students at Ball State and in TCOM. There’s absolutely no question, we are one of the BEST communications programs in the country. You can count them on one hand, and I think, still not use all your fingers.

I am also humbled and extremely proud of my students in Sports Link. The work they are encouraged — and pushed — to produce, consistently stands out from their peers and is recognized.

Here’s a list of a Sports Link students who won departmental awards this year:

TCOM Senior of the Year: Chris Kosinski
TCOM Junior of the Year: Emily Barker
TCOM Sophomore of the Year: Luke Martin
Steve Bell Packaging Award: Katie Hargitt
Morry Mannies Sports Scholarship: Emily Barker
Ball State Sports Link Newcomer of the Year: Luke Martin
Ball State Sports Link Most Improved of the Year: Aaron Van Auken
Ball State Sports Link Member of the Year ….. well, keep reading.  I need to say a little more about him.

As May approaches, the students in Sports Link have had another banner year. Already with five Indiana Association of School Broadcasters first-place awards, two Broadcast Educators of America Awards, two Indiana Society of Professional Journalists awards, including video feature of year, again.

On the night of the banquet, we also learned Sports Link received THREE Emmy nominations and also has eight entries into the best of Sports Video Group/College Sports Media Awards.

Thank you to our seniors. Many who have been part of this for the last 3-4 years. THANK YOU for building the legacy.

The 2012-2013 Sports Link Member of the Year, to me, reflects this success. He has tremendous character and has shown tremendous growth not just in skills, but in personal growth. For me as an instructor, a mentor and a friend, I couldn’t be prouder of this person.

Because we are sports people, of course we run our member of the year voting like the All-America Awards, the Wooden Award, the Heisman. Each SL member had to select a first choice worth 5 points, a second choice worth 3 points and third choice worth 2 points. They also had to evaluate their peers on the SL core principles of leadership, effort, commitment, pride.

We had 24 students this semester, and 14 different students earned at least a first or second or third place vote. Six different individuals earned first place votes, but for the first time our winner more than doubled the next and by almost 30 points.

Effort. Leadership. Commitment. Pride. AND, next year’s Sports Link graduate assistant …

Brad Dailey.

SL TV: Ball State Men’s Volleyball LIVE Thursday & Saturday

Posted: April 11, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features, Production Blogs, Sports Media
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>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE at 7:25pm each night:  www.ballstatesports.com

Tonight’s Ball State men’s volleyball match vs. Lewis and Saturday’s match vs. Loyola will be televised live from Worthen Arena by Ball State Sports Link.

The pivotal two-match homestand will determine the team’s final seeding in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament.  Ball State is currently ranked 15th in the nation, while Lewis is ranked ninth and Loyola is ranked 11th in the nation.

The matches, with first serve at 7:30 p.m, will begin with a live online pregame show at 7:25 p.m. on www.ballstatesports.com.  The match will air live on locally on Cardinal Vision 57 and Muncie Comcast Cable 61 at 7:30 p.m.

Both matches will be tape-delayed across the state of Indiana on Comcast Indiana 81.  The Lewis match will air two times — Tuesday, April 16 at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, April 17 at 12:30 p.m.  The Loyola match will also air two times on Comcast Indiana 81 — Wednesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. and Friday, April 19 at Noon.

The match will also be streamed LIVE  for FREE on www.ballstatesports.com each night.

Senior Brad Dailey is producing both matches, while sophomore Luke Martin and junior Zach Hughes will be the announce team. Sports Link will also anchor the online conversation through SL’s social media platforms (www.facebook.com/ballstatesportslink and Twitter @bsusportslink) for both matches.

A New Era for Ball State Basketball

Posted: April 10, 2013 by ajkartman in Student Blogs
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A new era for Ball State Men’s Basketball dawned this morning as a crowd of journalists, administrators, fans and coaches gathered for James Whitford’s introductory press conference. As chairs filled, bystanders and media lined the walls, standing for the chance to hear Whitford’s vision for the program.

President Jo Ann Gora began the formal introductions stating,”We believe this is a new era of greatness for Ball State Basketball.” A search lasting 22 days, left Athletic Director Bill Scholl on the road seeking candidates. Through all his travel, Scholl kept one vision. “We wanted somebody who wanted to be the head coach at Ball State. Who wanted to be OUR head coach.”

After introductions from the administrators, James Whitford stepped to the podium, outlining up his process and plan. “I’ve seen the tradition at Ball State, and I want to return that tradition.”

To build on the tradition of Ball State, Whitford says he wants an uptempo style, with staunch defense and fast paced offense. More importantly he says, ” I gotta find guys that love basketball. If you want to be great, it’s a year-round commitment.”

In this state Whitford recognizes the importance of the sport. “There’s a culture in the state of Indiana and a tradition of high school basketball. You can see a distinct difference from the teams in this state. People in Indiana want to help Ball State. They want Ball State to be good.”

Whitford’s goal is lofty, but shared by every recent Ball State hire: a championship culture. “We want to be the model program in the MAC. We want to create a championship culture.” After 10 NCAA tournament appearances, 9 conference championships, 5 Sweet 16 appearances and 2 Elite Eight appearances, Whitford’s past teams had remarkable success.

Ball State Sports Link: Be A Fan – Episode #7

Posted: March 31, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features, SL Videos
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Be A Fan, the Emmy-nominated sports magazine show produced by the nation’s only fully immersive sports media production program, Ball State Sports Link, airs multiple times monthly on WIPB-TV, Comcast Indiana and Fox College Sports.

The monthly program is Ball State’s only sports magazine show covering all sports. The show prides itself on telling the best stories from Ball State athletics.

The show was awarded the state’s best video magazine show by the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters in 2013.

Produced in 2013 by seniors Kevin Thurman and Brad Dailey, all 24 students in the immersive learning program produce features for the show.

Be A Fan, can be viewed at a variety of times on a variety of channels, including nationally on Fox College Sports. Ball State Sports Link is the only completely student-produced programming to air on the national network, reaching nearly 56 million homes and the 25 largest media markets in the nation.

WIPB-TV in Muncie and Comcast Indiana also air the show. Comcast Indiana is the state’s largest cable provider, reaching subscribers across the state, including Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

Fans can also watch Sports Link programming anytime through Comcast On Demand. The outlet is available by accessing on demand, then selecting the Hoosier TV option and then sports. Ball State Sports Link has it own channel through Comcast Xfinity.

In addition to the television coverage, the show will also be available online at www.ballstatesports.com and through Sports Link’s social media outlets, Facebook and Twitter.

The presenting sponsor of Be A Fan in 2012-13 is Muncie Nissan. Additional sponsors include First Merchants Bank, Robbins Apparel and Hit Country 102.5 WMDH.

Announcers’ Four-Letter Fear

Posted: March 27, 2013 by BallStateCT in Sports Media
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Screen Shot 2013-03-27 at 7.00.42 PMFor those who know me well, especially my students, you know I love my quotes.  Mottos.  Themes. Coach speak.

Make A Statement.  Separation By Preparation.  And my first, People Are Watching.

Ask anyone who’s been through Sports Link at Ball State.  Even a one-time parody Twitter account (looking at you Matt Houston), had now famous CT quotes.

Today, I was reading the following article in the Wall Street Journal.  CBS Sports President Sean McManus (who has talked with our SL students in previous years) had a quote which jumped out at me.  I immediately shared it with my crew.  It also sparked this blog entry.

“We tell our talent: Any time you’re in the arena, assume whatever it is you are talking about is being heard somewhere,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. “Because it most always is.”

Listen peeps (and tweeps), people are always watching.  Yes, even you students who like to tweet about everything.  Yup, even the professors, the hiring managers, the decision-makers. Even your fellow broadcasters and people who may someday influence your career path.

Announcers must strike a careful balance: They’re encouraged to be animated, even emotional, while keeping control at all times. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas is “fairly profane off the air, like what I can consider any normal, red-blooded American male,” he said, but doesn’t worry about on-air errors because he sticks to his best behavior even when he thinks no one is watching.

Read the complete Wall Street Journal article by Rachel Bachman and Ben Cohen here.

Social Media Madness: Ball State Students Produce Key Moments

Posted: March 26, 2013 by BallStateCT in Features, Sports Media
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Originally appeared in The Herald Bulletin | March 25, 2013

By Dani Palmer | The Herald Bulletin

Phot by Dani Palmer | The Herald Bulletin

Photo by Dani Palmer | The Herald Bulletin

MUNCIE, Ind. — In a space the size of a hotel room, filled with multiple computer mo

nitors, TV screens and mobile devices, students from Ball State University sit and watch all of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament games.

But they’re not watching idly.

Ball State’s Sports Link, an immersive digital sports production team, has partnered with Turner Sports for the third consecutive year to help produce content for March Madness Live.

“Having the opportunity to be involved for the last three years is credit to the students and reputation here,” said Chris Taylor, telecommunications instructor. “It’s confirmation of what we’re doing.”

Before March Madness comes to an end, around 25 Sports Link telecommunication students will have participated in the project.

Luke Magsamen, a senior from Fishers, is a huge sports fan who’s not just having fun, but feels he’s contributing to something big.

The NCAA Division I tournament is viewed by millions across the country.

“It’s been a great experience,” Magsamen said. “Something like this, you can’t really get at any other university.”

The students produce video highlights, photos and tweets for the Coke Zero NCAA March Madness Social Arena.

As they monitor tweets — which included the creation of filters — they’re continuously making adjustments to keep out obscenities and any conversation that is off topic from a game, such as NCAA allegations and player arrests, Taylor said.

If there’s a huge spike in the conversation, such as after a big play, they’ll include a video or some sort of content to go with it on the Twitter game pulse.

If you go to the March Madness Live page, look for the Coke Zero Key Moments at the bottom. That’s the work of BSU students.

“They’re doing it all in real-time,” Taylor said, “and the thing that’s important is that it’s a real experience.”

What they’re doing for Turner, he added, is what entities like CBS Sports and ESPN do.

And while Taylor and Alex Kartman, a graduate assistant, provide support and keep in touch with Turner, it’s all student run — and they “run it like a job.”

It’s definitely a great experience to put on a resume.

Josh Blessing, a senior from Wakarusa, said it’s crazy how the technology utilized in the Social Arena has evolved even over the three years he’s participated. “Online is key this day and age,” he noted.

While it can be overwhelming at times with classes and homework, along with producing content that’s seen by millions, he added it’s definitely worth it. Especially since BSU students are getting an experience others around the country aren’t.

“I tell myself to never take this for granted,” he said. “No one else is doing this.”

After going to Orlando with Taylor and another student last year to work with the Turner staff, he said he truly saw how complex it all is.

The students, who work in four-hour shifts but may work multiple shifts, started preparation for the tournament in February — researching teams and social media trends along with creating feeds.

March Madness Live offers streaming to subscribers throughout the tournament across a variety of screens, including online, mobile and tablet.

“It’s not just about the big screen anymore,” Taylor said.

Fans can participate in the social commentary with Sports Link by using the hashtag #marchmadness.

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