By Joseph Hughes
Communications and Marketing
Under the glare of a televised game, college athletes have produced astounding performances in pressure-packed environments. At Ohio University, their classmates are able to shine behind-the-scenes through the unique Ohio Sports Network.
Entering its eighth year, OSN represents the 14-team Mid-American Conference's largest television network. Thanks in large part to Ohio University students on the production crew, Bobcat fans in every major market in Ohio and the two largest in West Virginia have a chance to back the Green and White.
Known for their high quality, network telecasts provide the University what amounts to two- to three-hour commercials. For instance, halftime feature Ohio Extra highlights the school's best and brightest individuals and initiatives.
"The success of Ohio Sports Network is truly a campuswide, team effort involving students, the Department of Athletics and University Communications and Marketing," said Derek Scott, director of athletics communications. "The network has increased the awareness of Ohio University beyond the athletic venue in seven short years."
Equally valuable has been the network's innovative use of Ohio students at key positions in each live production. Ranging from grips to camera operators to technical directors and sideline reporters, students represent a vital link in the OSN chain.
During the network's infancy, Paul Ladwig, executive producer and one of OSN's founders, felt it could benefit the University in more ways than one. He proposed adding students to the normally veteran-laden broadcast crew.
"I was in total agreement and didn't hesitate to embrace this somewhat bold initiative," said Woody Frieman, OSN's first director. "Paul and I agreed that although Ohio University students were getting training and experience on their own productions, it didn't always translate into the real world."
Selecting and training capable undergraduates became the network's next objective. While sometimes a painstaking task, orienting students to their new responsibilities placed them inside a network-quality television production.
"In all, it provided a unique opportunity for the students that I doubt was being offered anywhere else in this country at any price," Frieman said.
Eager Ohio telecommunications students soon hit the ground running, realizing the shared vision of Ladwig and Frieman. As impressed as Frieman is with the students' skill level, he is equally proud of the time taken by experienced crewmembers to guide the newcomers.
Current OSN director Matt McCandlish has seen the same master-apprentice relationship. "A lot of the professionals who work on the games graduated from Ohio University and are proud to come back and be a part of the productions," McCandlish said. "At the same time, they're more than willing to pass along their knowledge and experience to the students on the crews."
Student crewmembers -- unlike many of their peers -- are able to gain real-world training in their chosen field. Armed with this preparation, numerous former OSN students have gone on to work professionally in network sports.
Allowing students to shine, said Hub Burton, vice president for University Advancement, is a strength of the network.
"The value of the Ohio Sports Network experience has always been that it places students in a professional setting, complete with all of the pressures, deadlines, personalities and variables that you normally encounter on a live broadcast," said Burton, OSN's play-by-play voice. "Whether it's on the sidelines as a reporter, in the truck as a technical director or operating a camera, OSN offers an unmatched opportunity to test your talents, your skills and your new knowledge against industry standards."
Surpassing expectations and striving for the best production possible has always been OSN's goal. Helping students achieve their dreams is another. "It was a great pleasure to help create a template for OSN to work from for future productions," said Frieman. "The experience with the students gave me a good feeling of returning the favor and kindness of those who brought me along. Seeing some of these students graduate and move on with confidence is a great reward."
