Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Media Relations at the Final Four

EMU Media Relations: Courtside at the NCAA Women's Final Four

4/9/2024 11:00:00 AM | General

EMU's crew captured every pivotal moment of the game

CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- Fans witness not only the fierce competition on the court at the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship Game, April 7, but also the meticulous work of the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Media Relations staff. Nestled among the bustling atmosphere of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, EMU's crew captured every pivotal moment of the game at the scorer's table.

Led by Associate AD for Athletic Media Relations, Greg Steiner, and supported by Director of Athletic Media Relations, Alex Ryan, Assistant Directors Scott Beaton and Alyssa Rodriguez, EMU's team formed the backbone of the event's statistical operations. Alongside them was Ken Dewey, a seasoned statistician from the Cleveland area, contributing his expertise to the mix.

Armed with cutting-edge technology provided by Genius Sports' NCAA LiveStats, EMU's crew transforms the raw energy of the game into a comprehensive stream of real-time data. Armed with touchscreen computers, they meticulously record each shot, turnover, foul, substitution, and more. Their task is not merely about compiling statistics; it's about capturing the essence of the game in numbers, a task they execute with precision and dedication.

The data they gathered is not confined to the arena; it was disseminated to broadcast partners, website platforms, coaching staff, and media outlets alike. In doing so, EMU's crew played a vital role in enriching the experience of fans worldwide, providing them with insights and analysis that enhanced their understanding and appreciation of the game.

This was not the first time EMU's Media Relations Office has been entrusted with such a responsibility. Their track record speaks volumes about their expertise and reliability. Previously, EMU's Media Relations Office served as the statistics crew for the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional and was scheduled to do the 2020 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds (canceled due to COVID). EMU's staff also worked the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Regional, the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, and 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Regional.

Beyond basketball, EMU's involvement extends to various other sporting events. Since 2007, Eastern Michigan has been the linchpin of stats operations for the MAC Football Championship games, MAC Basketball Tournaments, and MAC Baseball Tournaments, showcasing their versatility and commitment across different disciplines.

A record 18.7 million people watched South Carolina complete its perfect season by topping Iowa in the game. The championship ranks as the most-watched basketball game — pro or college — since the 2019 Men's NCAA Championship. And, excluding football and the Olympics, it's the most-watched sporting event across all networks since Game 7 of the 2019 World Series.
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