2012 College Sports Media Award Winners Honored at CSVS

Now in their fourth year, the 2012 College Sports Media Awards recognize the best in video production at all levels of college sports, from student productions and university athletic departments to regional and national networks. More than 200 entries were submitted in 16 categories. This year’s CSMAs were sponsored by Ross Video, Bexel, and Evertz. The winners were announced last night during a ceremony at the College Sports Video Summit (CSVS) in Atlanta.

UCLA's Ken Norris (right) accepts the inaugural CSVS Pioneer Award from friend Bryan Bray of Baylor during the College Sports Media Awards in Atlanta on Wednesday night.

To kick off the evening’s festivities, the Sports Video Group and members of the college video community honored UCLA Director of Video Operations Ken Norris with the inaugural College Sports Video Summit Pioneer Award. Serving in his role at UCLA for more than two decades, he is considered one of the most innovative and respected minds in the industry. Norris, affectionately known as “The Godfather,” was touched by the honor.

“When you do your work, you don’t think of these things. You don’t think about recognition, you just do your job,” he said, following a standing ovation. “It’s been a pleasure. I’ve had fun, and I appreciate you sharing this moment with me.”

The College Sports Media Awards, presented by SVG and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), are divided into four classifications: national networks and professional, regional sports networks and local cable providers, collegiate athletics, and, new this year, collegiate students. Four categories were awarded within each classification: live game or event production, program series, promotional video or marketing campaign, and special feature.

“We have seen the awards grow significantly in the past four years,” remarked CSVS Chairman Tom Buffolano. “To win really recognizes the best in college sports-video production. So every one of the people who get up here tonight to accept an award should be extremely proud of their work and be recognized by everyone in this industry. The work that’s being produced throughout the departments and through the students that we’ve seen this year is outstanding.”

In the first category, The Mtn. was recognized for its production of Men’s College Basketball – San Diego State vs. Boise State – Mountain West Conference Tourney (Quarterfinals). Founded six years ago as the first conference network, The Mtn. recently went dark; however, VP of Production and Programming Steve Hurlbut took the opportunity to thank his team for their hard work and commitment to the network.

“I’ve talked to our staff a lot in the last several months explaining to them that it’s a business decision; it didn’t have anything to do with the product they were putting on,” he said. “This award just validates my belief, and all of us are very thankful for it.”

The CSMA for special feature by a university athletic department went to Syracuse University, for “Breaking Barriers: Building Dreams. The Extraordinary Achievement of Ernie Davis.” In December, Syracuse University celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ernie Davis’s becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

“Every once in a while, we get to tell a compelling story, in all the highlight packages and press conferences and interviews that we work with on a daily basis, and this was certainly one for me,” said Roger Springfield, executive producer of media content, Syracuse. “It’s very humbling for me to be up here and to be able to perpetuate the legend of Ernie Davis.”

Ball State Sports Link was recognized twice in the newly created collegiate-student category, for program series 3rd Down Chirp and special feature “Tarblooder Mission.” A member of the production that took home a CSMA for last year’s “Basketball Beyond Borders – The Jarrod Jones Story,” student Ben Wagner accepted both awards for Ball State.

“I guess it pays to be unpaid,” he quipped.

In the evening’s final category, Red Productions accepted the award for promotion, PSA, or video marketing campaign by a national network. Chris Rodriguez, director of Red Productions’ “Revolution,” was quick to praise his fellow nominees.

“This is really cool, especially to be nominated with ESPN, NBC, and those big, heavy hitters out here,” said Rodriguez. “We’re just a small team in Fort Worth [TX] trying to do big things, and it’s great to be recognized by everyone here.”

Accepting the award for program series by a university athletic department, 20/20 Visual Media/Temple University’s Rob Czyzewicz offered a few wise words to the audience assembled at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

“So many people in this room get up every day and do something they love,” said owner/producer/videographer Czyzewicz. “Don’t take that for granted for a single day. It’s a pretty awesome feeling.”

A list of the winners follows; all the nominated videos can be viewed on Vimeo by clicking here.

National Networks and Professional
Live Game and Event Production: ESPN, College Football – Notre Dame vs. Michigan
Program Series: Big Ten Network, “The Journey: Big Ten Basketball 2012”
Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign: Red Productions, “Revolution”
Special Feature: CBS Sports Network, “Ramone Moore”

Regional Sports Networks and Local Cable Providers or TV Stations
Live Game and Event Production: The Mtn., Men’s College Basketball – San Diego State vs. Boise State – Mountain West Conference Tourney (Quarterfinals)
Program Series: Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket, “Lane Kiffin USC Football Weekly”
Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign: The Longhorn Network, “Longhorns – featuring Matthew McConaughey” Tease
Special Feature: The Longhorn Network, “Bonfire”

Collegiate Athletics
Live Game and Event Production: Rochester Institute of Technology, Men’s College Hockey – RIT vs. St. Lawrence
Program Series: 20/20 Visual Media/Temple University, “Temple Basketball: Above the Rim”
Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign: Gamecock Productions, University of South Carolina, ”It’s Great To Be a Gamecock”
Special Feature: Syracuse University, “Breaking Barriers: Building Dreams. The Extraordinary Achievement of Ernie Davis”

Collegiate Students
Live Game and Event Production: SoonerVision/University of Oklahoma, College Baseball, Oklahoma vs. Kansas State – Start of Game Production
Program Series: Ball State Sports Link, “3rd Down Chirp”
Promotion, PSA, or Video Marketing Campaign: Gamecock Productions/South Carolina Athletics, “Gamecock Softball Intro”
Special Feature: Ball State SportsLink, “Tarblooder Mission”

CLICK HERE for SVG’s comprehensive coverage of the College Sports Video Summit.

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