JMU Launches Broadcast Control Room for ESPN+ Productions

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Athletics has long emphasized live broadcast as a key tool to share the achievements of its student-athletes with its constituents. That priority took another step forward during the 2023-24 academic year with the launch of a new broadcast control room located in the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

The new control room allows the department to meet the standards set forth for ESPN+ live productions while allowing its JMU Sports Network broadcast team to elevate the quality of production.

"Our broadcasts are so key to spreading our brand, connecting with alumni and donors, reaching our fans and appealing to prospective student-athletes," JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "This control room is a huge step forward in remaining on the leading edge of the world of broadcast in college sports."

The configuration connects the central operation to JMU's various athletic venues spread across campus via fiber networking. As a result, productions for most sports originate from the AUBC, reducing the impact of constant setup and teardown at various venues. Only camera operators and broadcast talent work from the applicable venue while the remaining production team of producer, director, graphics, replay and audio work from the control room.

JMU Athletics, in partnership with the Sun Belt Conference, contracted Alpha Video out of Minnesota to complete the project. JMU Director of Live Productions Kelly Bowmaster serves as the lead operator of the new setup, overseeing a team of support personnel, largely consisting of JMU student volunteers. The department also contracts with Telemedia Productions to crew its football and basketball broadcasts.

"So many entities worked together to contribute to this project," Assistant AD for Communications Kevin Warner said. "We're extremely grateful to Alpha Video, the Sun Belt, JMU Telecom, JMU Facilities Management, JMU Athletics Facilities and Events and so many other folks who worked together to bring a complicated and lofty vision to reality.

"A vision for this project has been in place for quite some time, and it's extremely fulfilling to see it become a reality. College sports has evolved so much over time, but the great constant of sports remains the appeal of watching a live game. Thanks to this investment by JMU, we can ensure the future quality of our live productions. This is an extremely exciting step forward for our department."

With students filling the majority of roles for the JMU Sports Network, JMU Athletics continues to work with the School of Media Arts and Design and other campus groups to strategize opportunities for experiential learning.

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