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

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)