Catch a game from wherever you are.
Are you a Wilmington University sports fan but find yourself unable to make it to all games? No problem. Now you can watch many Wildcat contests live — in the comfort of wherever you happen to be, thanks to the Athletics Department and the College of Technology, who have combined to web stream games.
The concept was born three years ago when Adjunct Professor Tim Shaffer and Coordinator of Sports Information Dan Lauletta produced the first three-camera soccer games for the 2014 Wilmington Homecoming Weekend.
Fast-forward to this past basketball season, when College of Technology Assistant Professor Tim Day introduced a few producing upgrades, resulting in a high definition operation to stream live basketball.
“We saw an opportunity that could really benefit our College of Technology students,” Day says. “The on-location broadcasts give them hands-on experience in what it’s like working a live event. It helps our students gain valuable out-of-classroom experience while also helping to promote Wilmington athletics.”
The men’s basketball home playoff game, the first in program history, featured 250 online plays with a peak audience of 96 at one time.
During the spring, Day’s team filmed the softball team from the upgraded press box at Asbury Field. They produced a multi-camera broadcast during multiple games this past season, reaching a peak audience of 129 during the doubleheader with Goldey-Beacom College on April 12.
Softball Head Coach Mike Shehorn has discovered that the live stream helps recruiting. “We have had a number of recruits email us following a game saying they were excited to be able to watch us play,” he says. “Parents from all over the country can send their daughters to Wilmington knowing they are going to be able to catch
the home games.”
A multi-camera setup was planned this past season for the baseball team and Wilson Field, and plans are underway to extend the web streaming program to fall sports. WU
—Dan Lauletta
To catch a game, visit wilmu.mediasapce.kaltura.com, or search for WilmUTube. All live links also will be posted on the athletics website: athletics.wilmu.edu.