May 29, 2014
SVG/NACDA College Sports Media Awards Winners
ATLANTA - `Hockey Valley: The Opening of Pegula Ice Arena,' a 60-minute documentary on the opening of Penn State Hockey's $90 million, state-of-the-art facility, earned the Outstanding Program Series award for Regional/Local Networks at the Sports Video Group/National Association of College Directors of Athletics College Sports Summit in Atlanta Thursday night. The ceremony was hosted by ESPN's Rece Davis.
The 2014 College Sports Media Awards represented the best in class from a wide array of college athletic and academic departments, as well as professional networks, production companies and student productions. The nominees were spread across four divisions in a total of 16 categories.
The award-winning documentary, produced by Penn State alumnus Mike Messner and Mind Over Media, debuted on the Big Ten Network December 2013. The show captured exclusive, never-before-seen content from inside Pegula Ice Arena during the lead up to Penn State's first game in the facility against Army Oct. 11, 2013.
In addition to interviews with head coach Guy Gadowsky and members of the squad, fans witnessed many firsts during the Nittany Lions' historic 2013-14 campaign, including the team's first off-ice workout, the coaches' first skate and the player's first time through the arena and locker room. The documentary included highlights from Penn State's historic first win - a 4-1 triumph against the Black Knights - and a pregame speech from benefactor Terry Pegula.
The documentary, which was included as part of 2014-15 season ticket renewals, will be available for purchase in the fall.
NOTES: Penn State Football: The Next Chapter was nominated for Outstanding Program Series in Collegiate Athletics ... The Penn State Football intro video, which was shown pregame at Beaver Stadium, received a nomination for Outstanding Promotion, PSA, Tease or Marketing Campaign in Collegiate Athletics.