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WNCP-TV goes
live with basketball and wrestling in February
 In
February, Braves' home basketball games and wrestling matches are going
live on Time Warner's Cable Channel 6 thanks to WNCP-TV,
UNC Pembroke's broadcasting program.
According to Professor
Mike DeCinti, the project gives broadcasting majors a unique television
experience.
"We do our
news programs live, but that's all in our studio in Old Main,"
DeCinti said. "With live sports, we have two crews, one at the
Jones Athletic Center and one in Old Main. It requires considerable
additional planning and coordination."
To do live television
requires a lot of hardware and software, but there is one additional
learning experience for the students.
"Stress,"
DeCinti said. "Working in a live environment is one of the most
stressful and rewarding broadcasting experiences."
The live broadcasts
are made possible by the installation of an additional fiber optic link
on campus to the Jones Athletic Center. This year, one camera and five
students are being used to shoot six basketball games and two wrestling
matches, but that will change, DeCinti said.
"We are ordering
new equipment for next year that will enable us to use 2-3 cameras and
to produce better graphics," he said. "That will raise the
bar for planning and coordination, and it will allow us to use more
students."
All remaining home
basketball games and one wrestling match will be broadcast in February,
including:
- men's and women's
basketball Monday, February 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m.;
- wrestling on
Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m.;
- men's and women's
basketball Saturday, February 21 at 2 p.m. (Homecoming) and
- men's and women's
basketball Wednesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m.
The games will be
replayed on Time Warner's Cable Channel 6. The local access cable channel
is available to Robeson County cable subscribers.
UNCP's Athletic
Department has video-streamed games over the Internet for several years,
but cablecasting the games live takes UNCP athletics to the next level.
Athletic Director Dan Kenney appreciates the support of WNCP-TV.
"Athletics
is indebted to WNCP-TV, the Mass Communications Department,
and the leadership of Professor Mike DeCinti for making these broadcasts
a reality," Kenney said.
Providing live play-by-play
commentary for basketball is William Freeman, long-time voice of Braves'
basketball. Doing color commentary are Assistant Athletic Director John
Haskins, Director of Student Activities Abdul Ghaffar, Lumberton Recreation
Director Wendell Staton and broadcast student Brad Ciociola.
Providing commentary
for wrestling are Lumberton High School Wrestling Coach Jimmy Carroway
and David Blanks.
For questions about
the live broadcast or the broadcasting program at UNCP, contact Mike
DeCinti at 910.521.6598 or e-mail mike.decinti@uncp.edu.
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