Socially Athletic - Episode 1 Recap

Thank you for tuning in to the first episode of Socially Athletic! As the podcast series continues, stay locked in for more insight from guests with experience in sports media.

What's the Scoop?

This week on Socially Athletic, a bit of a different approach was taken as I made a solo venture into the world of sports media. I shared a bit of my personal background and connection to sports media in Division III athletics as well as some of the research I have conducted involving social media and live sports broadcast production.

One of the most significant motivating factors for change in sports information departments across the NCAA has been the impact COVID-19 left in its wake. When the pandemic first struck and ended nearly all sporting events, a solution had to be found as a way to provide these events even if fans couldn't safely come to spectate in person. For most Division III offices, this meant upgrading social media and live broadcast capabilities to reach these fans and give them the sporting experience they wanted. The change instantly made a huge positive impact, with ease of access skyrocketing. Athletes like knowing their competitions remained relevant and information was being shared about them. At the same time, fans didn’t skip a beat in the gameplay and could be reminded of a contest while scrolling down the social media outlet of their choice. Youtube and Twitter proved to be the platforms that showed the most upside for longevity to sustain the experience everyone has continued to enjoy years later. A sports information director can post a graphic with a link to the livestream on Twitter, which quickly takes a viewer directly to the Youtube link hosting the stream. The fun doesn’t stop here! In-game social media posts involving scores, highlights and stats continue throughout the competition. In many cases, commentary on the live game broadcast creeps into normal expectations for athletic departments. All of these implementations are quite new to Division III, and their impact is positive, so look for it to be continued!

How has COVID-19 modified your sports viewing experience? As a fan, do you find yourself still taking advantage of remote streaming and social media experiences today? Let me know below in the comments!

Stay tuned each week for more blog posts right here that catch up on all the great conversations from the Socially Athletic Podcast! #SociallyAthletic #Episode1