Athletics establishes Hail State Productions
With the launch of the national SEC Network a month away, Mississippi State Athletics has established Hail State Productions, a new video services department that will oversee the daily management of the network’s MSU home broadcasts as well as produce video content to enhance the overall brand of the department.
The staff will coordinate and integrate live Bulldog home broadcasts on the SEC Network’s television and digital platforms. They will also be responsible for videoboard production at Bulldog athletic events, coordinating coaches’ television shows and creating unique and engaging video content on HailState.com and the department’s social media platforms.
Drew Walker, the former assistant executive director for video production at the Auburn IMG Sports Network, has been tabbed as assistant athletic director for video operations at MSU, while MSU television producer Bennie Ashford has been named assistant athletic director for video production.
Walker will oversee the department’s creative video efforts while enhancing content production. Ashford will direct the day-to-day technical operations and production of the SEC Network broadcasts. Both will report to Senior Associate Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee.
“Creating Hail State Productions has been a year in the works and we are excited to see the pieces come together,” said Wetherbee. “We have leaned heavily on Bennie over the years and glad he will joining our athletic staff. He is the perfect fit for leading our production of the SEC Network. I am excited to add Drew's passion and creativity to our department. We will take our video content to the next level. Drew is the right person to do that.”
Walker has 10 years of videography experience in the Southeastern Conference. He spent the past five years with the Auburn IMG Sports Network creating state-of-the-art video content during the Tigers’ run to the 2010 football national championship and the 2013 SEC title. He generated highlight and hype videos and was instrumental in developing coaches’ television shows.
Walker received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee where he served as a producer and videographer for UTSports.com from 2004-09.
Ashford comes on full-time in the MSU Athletic Department after serving as the coordinator of sports television at the MSU Television Center since 1991. Ashford oversaw all production and direction of HailStateTV live streaming events since the platform’s inception. He joined the MSU staff in 1986 as senior producer for the television center.
The SEC Network launches on Aug. 14, and will air SEC content 24/7, including 45 football games, 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, 50 softball games and additional live events. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform.
Fans can demand the SEC Network by going to www.GetSECNetwork.com or contacting their local cable or satellite provider.
For additional information about Mississippi State athletics, please visit HailState.com.
