Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Just like yesterday the final day of the WAC Football Media Preview started early, but not as early as the first day! Breakfast was available for media and participants at 8:00a.m. with the first press conference starting at 9:00a.m. Since only three coaches remained to address the media, today would be a half-day.
The format on day two is identical to that of day one. Each coach addressed the media and answered questions for thirty minutes, than completed one on one interviews with radio, print and television outlets. Today, the two new coaches in the league, San Jose State head coach Mike MacIntyre and Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes were introduced and had the opportunity to discuss their philosophies and agenda’s for their programs. Click HERE to watch video of their statements.
The three remaining coaches (Walker, NM State; Dykes, Louisiana Tech and San Jose State, MacIntyre) then participated in filming the 2010 WAC Sportsmanship PSA.
The day concluded around noon with a final lunch for all participants. Then the staff began the process of taking down all of the banners, flags and media backdrops.
We finally boarded our flight at 4:40 and were back in Denver around 7pm after circling the air for a hour due to inclement weather.
Overall our staff was very pleased with this year’s media preview and are looking forward to the season! Check www.wacsports.com for conference information and notes throughout the fall on football and our other fall sports.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Today is the kickoff for the 2010 WAC Football Media Preview. Over the next day and a half Commissioner Benson and the nine head coaches will address the media about the upcoming season.
We started to set up the registration table at 7:15a.m. and began to check in members of the media at 7:30 a.m. The morning began with an address to the media by Commissioner Benson. The coaches were up next ... each coach follows a specific schedule so they each hit the TV, Print, Radio and Sportsmanship PSA rooms.
Each coach addressed members of the print media for a maximum of thirty minutes. Check out the videos from print media press conferences here.
The coach then spent time with each television reporter for one-on-one interviews. The coaches also dedicated about twenty minutes to the production of the WAC Sportsmanship commercial. Since the commercials are institution specific, the background will feature images from on campus, of the football facility, crowd images and action shots of in-game action, at times the images will be at the forefront of the commercial and the coaches voice will be utilized. The commercials will run in each arena, on each institutions website and social media outlets.
Sunday, July 25
We (Dave Chaffin, Associate Commissioner; Jason Erickson, Director of Media Relations; Vicky Eggleston, Director of Publications and Megan Allen, Director of Marketing) arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah this morning to set up and prepare for the 2010 WAC Football Media Preview which will take place Monday and Tuesday at the Hilton Salt Lake City Airport. Our plan is to give you a behind the scenes look at the Preview.
Today is basically dedicated to the set up and preparation of the event. Vicky and Dave have been working with the Hilton crew to set up the audio (they have worked on this element for over an hour) for the ‘Print Media Room', the location of the press conferences throughout the two-day event. Each press conference will be featured on www.wacsports.com and through our social media sites (@WACSports twitter account and on our facebook page). Jason and I (Megan) distributed the WAC and Geico banners and WAC flags so the event is properly branded. After we dressed up the rooms, Dave had us organize the event registration; well, basically we separated the names tags and made sure they were in alphabetical order (thankfully, Jason and I have mad alphabetical skills as some of the names were out of order). Our next task was to stuff folders. Dave trusts us with the most important elements...
So, I have a tendency to sing along with songs, and I must admit my voice is one of acquired taste ... Jason has been exposed to my vocal ability or lack of so I figured it would be a good idea to put on some iTunes and bring a little joy to his day by sing along to some of my favorite tunes. Just when I thought I had heard and seen everything, Jason yes, Jason broke out into song during Rascal Flatts and Brooks n' Dunn songs.
By the way Jason and I keep hearing sounds, at first it was bag pipes now it's cricket. At first I thought I was hearing things but when I asked Jason he too admitted to hearing the sounds ... perhaps this ‘Print Media Room' in haunted. Just a thought....
Check back tomorrow to hear about the first day of the Media Preview.
Courtesy: WAC
