By Karen Fernau
GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University fans who missed the opening of GCU Stadium are in luck — they can watch the historic men's soccer victory on a new digital video platform, GCU.TV.
“We’ve shot videos before, but now there’s a home for them,” said Barry Buetel, GCU.TV executive producer.
The top-notch, TV-quality videos are shot with multiple cameras, instant replay, graphics and on-air talent.
Along with Buetel and associate producer Steven Niedzielski, the GCU.TV team includes 12 students who work hand-in-hand with videographers Jake Jackson, Scott McDonald and Gina Sandoz.
GCU.TV videos figure to turn the 17,500 ground students, their parents, the more than 60,000 online students and the 100,000-plus alumni into regular viewers.
“The videos will help build our GCU community. They capture the feel of the university as well as the events,” Niedzielski said.
Initially, most of the videos will be of live events, such as Chapel and games. Games will be broadcast live and archived on GCU.TV, a move that makes it easy for those unable to watch a game in real time to view it later.
Sports programming also includes “ThunderZone: The Dan Majerle Show,” a 10-show series featuring GCU's head men's basketball coach, and The GCU Lopes Report.
Buetel said the goal is to expand coverage to include everything from academics to spiritual life. GCU.TV already broadcasts two such features:
- “Trending Faith,” a program that features Dr. Jason Hiles, dean of the College of Theology, and Pastor Tim Griffin, GCU dean of students, answering questions about faith, God and Christian life.
- “Finding Tatum’s Purpose,” a new documentary starring GCU student Tatum Sorrelman. Throughout this four-year series, Sorrelman will share behind-the-scenes moments as a college student navigating her journey toward graduation.
The production staff credits the support of GCU President Brian Mueller and Shawna Barnett, director of marketing, digital media and acquisition, for the site’s development.
“When we expand the programming, we will be able show others how vibrant the campus has become in the last few years,” Buetel said.
Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or [email protected].
