Matt and Justin sit down with Mary Rathburn, Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at Elon University, and Patrick Cunningham, Director of Live Broadcast Production for Elon Sports Vision. to take you behind the scenes of how a mid-major athletic department runs a broadcast operation, video board show and fan experience strategy all at once, and often from the same control room. From student-run productions to viral in-game moments, this episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to produce a modern college athletics experience.
Topics Covered
How Elon runs broadcast and in-venue production simultaneouslyWhy preparation off the field is the secret to smooth game daysHow a two-person marketing staff drives fan experience across 17 sportsThe role students play in producing over 135 broadcasts per yearHow Elon’s centralized control room handles multiple venuesWhat “idea hacking” means — and why great producers steal (the right way)The story behind the viral free-throw distraction momentHow student crews won a national broadcast awardWhy the “Snack Cam” should never be allowedHow support systems and testing keep things running smoothlyWhy being willing to fail is critical to creativityHow video boards are being used for:Fan engagementSponsor valueWeather updatesGame timing informationElon Sports Vision captures first College Sports Media Award244 – Hitting the Ice at the University of Minnesota Duluth with Dylon Field39 - The Importance of Video Displays in Minor League Baseball with Katie Dannemiller (Greensboro Grasshoppers)