Trip to Facebook could benefit MTSU
Spending time on Facebook is not unusual. Spending time at Facebook is altogether different.
Actually spending time at the headquarters of the digital conglomerate is a good way to keep up with the fastchanging world of social media.
At least that’s how Middle Tennessee State associate athletics director for communications sees it and why he joined a small group of school officials on a two-day trip earlier this month to the Facebook facility in Menlo Park, Calif.
“It’s an incredible place and it was fascinating to see where things are going in terms of social media,” Owens said. “We had meetings both days, we toured the facility and we asked a lot of questions. At first I was like, ‘Do I really need to go, or can I just send some of my people?’ I am so glad I went because it was so educational.”
As a member of Conference USA, MTSU is involved in a groundbreaking live streaming partnership with Facebook and the multi-platform sports network Stadium. Stadium streamed several MTSU football and basketball games on Facebook in 2017-18 and has more scheduled for 2018-19.
“A big reason I went out there was because our conference is kind of like the guinea pig for Facebook; that’s why they’re putting so many of our games on Facebook,” Owens said. “They’ve teamed with Stadium. The production is just like a CBS Network production, which also will have some of our games, but it’s on Facebook because that’s where things are going. They have sideline reporters, announcers and analysts, just like you’re used to.”
The group, which also included MTSU’s social media coordinator
vice president for communications and marketing
and strategic communications manager did not get to meet Facebook CEO but was able to obtain a considerable amount of useful information.
“They gave us a bunch of statistical stuff like, 90 percent of people while watching games utilize their mobile devices,” Owens said. “They gave a lot of how-to tips. They told us how to monitor our stuff and let us know that when
Beerends, Mark Owens Brent Andrew Oppmann Rob Janson, Mark Zuckerberg,
people click on and ‘like’ your videos, you can target them for season tickets. It was a lot of information in a short period of time.”
Owens said the group was told about the importance of utilizing Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, in order to reach a younger generation of fans.
They also were told that one in three people on Instagram is a sports fan and that Instagram is encouraging schools to have student takeovers on accounts.
Owens extended an invitation to some of the Facebook employees to attend a Blue Raiders football game this fall.
“I asked them to come and watch our operation and tell me how we’re doing, how they would change things,” he said. “They were real interested in doing that.”
SEC commissioner speaking at Music City Center
SEC commissioner will be in Nashville on July 11 to speak at the third annual Coach Forum at Music City Center.
The forum is designed to help high school and college coaches learn from some of the nation’s most highly respected coaches, former athletes, doctors and sports professionals.
Other speakers include former Montgomery Bell Academy, Tennessee and major league pitcher former Tennessee basketball coach
now at Missouri, former Tennessee defensive back
best-selling author Johns Hopkins lacrosse coach
and others. For tickets ($99) visit thecoachforum.nashvillecoaching coalition.com.
Martin, Tucker McNeal back in Tennessee to play at Tech Chris McNeal, Greg Sankey R.A. Dickey, Cuonzo Inky Johnson, Jon Gordon, Janine
a native of Jackson, Tenn., is returning to the state to finish his college basketball career.
The 6-foot-1 guard is transferring to Tennessee Tech, which will be his fourth school in four years. He will have one year of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
McNeal, who played at Southside High, began his college career at Western Kentucky.
He transferred to Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College for his sophomore season and then New Mexico for his junior season.
Tech played New Mexico this past season and McNeal scored 29 points. “We know he can play,” Tech coach
said. “We couldn’t stop him. He’s taken a long route here, but he’s finally home and we’re excited about him.”
Steve Payne Belmont hoops assistant Price hired at Baylor School
Belmont assistant was hired as the boys basketball coach at Baylor School in Chattanooga.
Price spent seven seasons at Belmont.
He replaced who retired at the end of this past season after spending 36 seasons at Baylor.
Golfers make back-to-back aces in local tournament
Hendersonville’s made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole, which helped him and claimthe Tennessee Senior Four-Ball championship with a 1-up victory over Springfield residents and at Montgomery Bell State Park Golf Course.
Incredibly, Schorsten aced the 188yard hole just minutes after
of Chattanooga had aced it while playing in the Super Senior division.
“Somebody needs to check with Guinness (World Records) on that one,” Schorsten said. “I didn’t see it go in. I can’t see that far. But I heard everyone yelling and clapping and I couldn’t believe it.”
It was Schorsten’s 14th career holein-one and second Tennessee Golf Association title. He won the Tennessee Match Play Championship in 1986. Williams and his partner won the Super Senior title with a 4-2 victory over of Fairview and
of Memphis.
Mike Gallagher Butch O’Kelley Ed Link Mark Price Austin Clark, Dan Schorsten Frank Dial Bjorn Svedin John Williams John Spitalny Mayor recognizes 1954 West End state champions
It’s been 64 years since West End High won the boys state basketball championship, yet the six remaining teammates are still close today and get together on a regular basis.
Ed Gaines, Ralph Greenbaum, Jimmy French, John “Butch” Stephens, Buddy Parsons Eddie Greermeet
and for lunch every couple of months. At the group’s last meeting Mayor
sent over a proclamation honoring the team. Briley was out of town and unable to attend the gathering at Hillwood Country Club so the proclamation was read by WNSR sports talk radio host and former WTVF-5 sports anchor
The proclamation also recognized members of the team who have died, including
David Briley
Vaughn DeBose, Bobby Glenn, Archie Grant, Jerry Morrison Billy Owens Joe Shapiro.
along withcoach
About 100 West End alumni were in attendance.
West End claimed a 42-40 win over LaFollette in the state championship game at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym. Their beloved and retiring principal
showed up at halftime, even though he’d been warned that subjecting himself to too much excitement could exacerbate his heart problems, to cheer on the Blue Jays.
Four of West End’s playoff games that year were decided in overtime.
wrote the book “All The Way For Doc” about the team in 2009.
W.H. “Doc” Yarbrough Whitworth Stokes Ex-TSU coach Alexander close to finishing book
Former Tennessee State men’s coach
is putting the finishing touches on his new book “Beyond the Backboard.” It’s scheduled for release in August.
Alexander, 64, made a name for himself in the 1990s as the coach at South Carolina State and led the Bulldogs to five NCAA tournament berths. He was hired at TSU in 2003 where he posted a 73-108 record in six seasons. Alexander said despite experiencing some success at TSU, which included collecting his 300th career win and leading the Tigers to the OVC Tournament final in 2008, he was presented with “on-and-off court factors conspired to derail my stay.”
He resumed his coaching career in 2012 in his home state at North Carolina A&T where he remained until he retired in 2016 with 392 career victories. Preordered signed copies of the book are available at cyalexander.com.
Cy Alexander Greg Pogue Hope Hines.
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