For the second year in a row, the Southeastern Louisiana University student staff of the Southeastern Channel are the recipients of a Student Production Emmy Award for Best Live Sporting Event by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Suncoast Chapter.
The award recognizes the production of the live ESPN+ presentation of the Southeastern vs. LSU Women’s Basketball Game on Nov. 17, 2023.
The game was an unusual midweek matchup between defending national champions LSU and 2023 Southland champions the Southeastern Lady Lions. The contest featured the return of LSU coach Kim Mulkey to the court where she played high school basketball, as well as the unannounced absence of NIL star Angel Reese.
Southeastern Channel Operations Manager Steve Zaffuto said all camera and control room positions were students’ responsibility, as were all pre-game research, producing, and writing tasks that included graphics coordination and production. Featured on-camera talent were also graduate or undergraduate Southeastern students.
Students contributing to the award-winning broadcast from included Kendrick Allen, of Harvey; Eric Brignac, of Gramercy; Boglarka Csordas, of Hammond; Jules Dormain, of Denham Springs; Mackenzie Fletcher, of Madisonville; Carson Fryou, of Ponchatoula; Alexis Genovese, of Husser. Also contributing were Chase Gispert, of Madisonville; Jermaine Kelly Jr., of Bossier City; Natalie Kelly, of Independence; Ian Nicoll, of Mandeville; Emmbre Perry, of Chalmette; Brendon Smith, of Baton Rouge; and Joliette Vincent, of Thibodaux.
Zaffuto said, “The level of professionalism evident in the contest vs LSU would not have been possible without the assistance of additional staffers who helped produce the Southeastern vs. Nicholls football game the night before.”
Those students included Lucas Hill, of Baker; Wade Jones, of St. Amant; Daniel McClain, of Independence; and Anuraj Pant, of Hammond.