277 – Elon University: Inside Live Event Production and Fan Engagement

03/12/2025 45 min Episodio 277
277 – Elon University: Inside Live Event Production and Fan Engagement

Listen "277 – Elon University: Inside Live Event Production and Fan Engagement"

Episode Synopsis

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 simultaneously
Why preparation off the field is the secret to smooth game days
How a two-person marketing staff drives fan experience across 17 sports
The role students play in producing over 135 broadcasts per year
How Elon’s centralized control room handles multiple venues
What “idea hacking” means — and why great producers steal (the right way)
The story behind the viral free-throw distraction moment
How student crews won a national broadcast award
Why the “Snack Cam” should never be allowed
How support systems and testing keep things running smoothly
Why being willing to fail is critical to creativity
How video boards are being used for:

Fan engagement
Sponsor value
Weather updates
Game timing information



 
Links:

Elon Sports Vision captures first College Sports Media Award
244 – Hitting the Ice at the University of Minnesota Duluth with Dylon Field
39 - The Importance of Video Displays in Minor League Baseball with Katie Dannemiller (Greensboro Grasshoppers)

 




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