The George Mason athletic department has joined forces with Mason Cable Network (MCN), the University's student-run cable network, to produce intercollegiate events to be streamed live on GoMason.com, the official athletics web site.
"This endeavor with student media is a collaborative effort that provides our students invaluable hands-on educational experience while assisting athletics in delivering quality content and more exposure through our digital platforms,” said Tom O'Connor, Director of Athletics.
In the agreement, MCN will produce a minimum of 15 live, student-produced games this fall with ambitions to continue into the spring semester. MCN's partnership will complement the athletic department's current streaming efforts, enhancing selected broadcasts while continuing to ensure that all home men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball matches will be available on GoMason.com.
“The Office of Student Media is very excited to work with Athletics,” said David Carroll, Associate Director of the Office of Student Media. “This agreement opens up a whole world of opportunities and expectations for the students. We want to deliver an entertaining, professionally done broadcast to the GoMason.com audience.”
The agreement's goal is to educate students while providing quality content for GoMason.com. Students will have the opportunity to gain professional, hands-on experience to enhance their portfolios. MCN's student-run production will involve multiple cameras, graphics, play-by-play and analysis to enhance the fans' experience.
The broadcasts will also be a part of the recently-launched A-10 Digital Network, which gives fans the opportunity to watch hundreds of live events from around the conference. Mason is currently in the midst of their inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The George Mason Office of Student Media, part of Mason's University Life department, is comprised of more than 10 media organizations and counts more than 300 students as participants each year.
“The amount of sports broadcasting we are going to do this year is unprecedented,” added Carroll. “I urge any student who wants to get involved to contact us regardless of their existing skill level. We offer training.”
Opportunities still exist for students to join the production team, and interested students should visit http://studentmedia.gmu.edu, or contact Jake McLernon in the Office of Student Media at 703-993-9745.
