CSMAs Introduce Student Category, Reduced Entry Fees

Since its inception, the College Sports Media Awards (CSMA) have recognized the best in the college sports–production arena. As technology improves, the ability to create high-quality video on any budget has proliferated significantly. In the previous three years, SVG has presented awards to those who have pushed the envelope and set a higher standard for all who are part of this industry.

Once again, at this year’s College Sports Video Summit (CSVS) in Atlanta in June, the Sports Video Group and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) will recognize the outstanding work in college sports-video productions from campuses across the country.

“We are excited to continue our affiliation with the CSMA’s,” says Bob Vecchione, executive director at NACDA. “Digital and video content has become an integral part of our enterprise and we look forward to honoring NACDA Members that continue to be on the forefront of technology.

This year’s awards feature a bevy of changes, including new and expanded categories and reduced entry fees.

“Our goal this year was to create a competition that opened the way for more submissions, and that was the impetus behind adding the Regional and Local Network Division, along with the Collegiate Student Division,” said Tom Buffolano, CSVS Chairman. “Additionally, we recognized the sophistication in producing ongoing series like coach’s shows, news-type shows and documentary style shows that follow a clear and consistent editorial theme.  We think that the Program Series category is a reflection of that.”

Highlighting the new additions in the addition of a student category, putting a spotlight on the future of the sports video industry.

“Several faculty and students have been asking for a student-only division since the inception of the CSMAs,” says Michael Bruce, assistant professor of telecommunications at the University of Alabama and member of the CSVS advisory committee. “We’re happy that the new division will debut in 2012. There is a growing number of students from around the country pursuing degrees in sports broadcasting. The new CSMA Student Division provides these students the chance to compete on a level playing field against their peers. The CSMA Awards Show in Atlanta will give the Student Division finalists the opportunity to showcase their work to many of the most influential professionals in college sports video.”

As part of the introduction of the student category, Sports Video Group is pleased to join with the Broadcast Education Association (BEA), the professional association for professors, industry professionals, and graduate students interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises.

“BEA is excited to partner with SVG for the 2012 College Sports Video Summit,” says BEA Executive Director Heather Birks. “We see talented students producing such creative work in the our Festival of Media Arts Sports Competition, and we will encourage these students to participate in CSMA. The CSMAs will increase the professional feedback they receive and exposure for potential jobs in the future.”

Also this year, SVG has reduced entry fees across all categories: National Networks pay $250 per entry, Regional and Local Networks $150, Collegiate Athletics $100, and Collegiate Students $50.

On March 1, a call for entries will be open to all entities that produce college sports video. There are 16 categories for entries in the College Sports Media Awards, encompassing the four divisions: National Networks, Regional and Local Networks, Collegiate Athletics, Collegiate Student.

This year’s divisions are defined as:

National Networks: any television network that reaches more than 20 million homes via cable, satellite, or over-the -air transmission (as of Jan. 1, 2012).

Regional and Local Networks: any television network that reaches fewer than 20 million homes via cable, satellite, or over-the-air transmission (as of Jan. 1, 2012). Examples include divisions within a larger company or network as long as they operate as independent business units (for example, Fox, Cox, Comcast, Time Warner Cable regional and local networks).

Collegiate Athletics: all NCAA, NJCAA, NAIA, and accredited institutions and conferences or governing organizations. These productions are funded, supervised, and executed solely by athletic department employees and their staff (full-time, part-time, freelance, intern, student).

Collegiate Student: all NCAA, NJCAA, NAIA, and accredited institutions. These productions are funded and supervised solely by university employees (athletic or academic). The production work is completed solely by students (undergraduate or graduate) who are enrolled part-time or full-time at that institution during the period designated for the content to be produced to be eligible for the awards. In the case of the Live Game, Program, or Event category, 80% of the production personnel must be students for the production to be eligible.

Entrants in each of the four divisions will compete for awards in four categories:

1. Live Game, Program, or Event Production (time limit of 5 minutes per entry):  the production of any live college sports event for TV, IPTV, Internet, mobile, or in-stadium–scoreboard feed. If fans can watch the event as it happens, the video qualifies for this category. This includes games, press conferences (for example, National Signing Day), pep rallies, pre/postgame coverage, etc. Entries must be a contiguous segment of the game or event. No editing or highlight reels will be accepted. Please do not include show opens or teases, which are eligible in another category.
2. Special Feature (time limit of 8 minutes per entry): short-form video on onesubject that highlights any of the following: teams, coaches, players, parents, siblings, historical events, athletic department employees, trainers, medical staff, recruiting, instruction, behind-the-scenes footage, Senior Day, etc. Distribution methods can include TV, IPTV, Internet, mobile, and in-stadium feeds.
3. Program Series (time limit of 10 minutes per entry):  programs that have a connected topic or theme. The entry should highlight any of the following areas: teams, coaches, players, parents, siblings, historical events, athletic department employees, trainers, medical staff, recruiting, instruction, behind-the-scenes footage, Senior Day, etc. Distribution can include TV, IPTV, Internet, mobile, and in-stadium feeds. Applicants should submit a minimum of three (3) excerpts that show a connection between the program series or multiple features.
4. Outstanding Program Open, Promotional Video, PSA, and Campaigns (time limit of 2 minutes per entry): a video created for the purpose of a programming open or tease, marketing, or branding; as a PSA; or for promotion or sales. This category encompasses message-based videos created for the purpose of promoting a coach, player, sport, announcer, employee, university or league athletic program, or upcoming events for the purpose of tune-in, sales (tickets, ads, booster), charity, public service, image, awareness of a brand, accomplishments, championships, outstanding athletic and academic achievement, facilities, benefits, etc. Distribution can include TV, IPTV, Internet, mobile, in-stadium feeds, DVD or hard copy (not for sale), or internal or private use. For those entering a series of promos to represent a campaign, the maximum is three (3) related promos (total 5 minutes) per entry.

For official rules and entry information for the College Sports Media Awards — and for more on the Fourth Annual College Sports Video Summit — visit www.csvsummit.com.