Waxahachie, TX – February 8, 2011 – In December, Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) debuted its new SAGU.tv (www.sagu.tv) streaming service. The resource enables guests to watch University events in real time. SAGU.tv broadcasts chapel services, select athletic matches, student films, student content, seminars, commercials, and other special events. The University also provides upcoming streaming dates and archives of previous events on the SAGU.tv site.
Marketing and Public Relations Director Ryan McElhany explains that the aim is to connect families, friends, alumni, and distance education students to campus activities. “Residential students have the opportunity to experience these events first-hand. We want all of our extended SAGU family and friends to have the same opportunities.”
Bosko Ognenovski, a sophomore center for the SAGU basketball team, moved stateside during his senior year of high school, leaving his family in Bitola, Macedonia. When SAGU launched SAGU.tv, Ognenovski was excited to tell his family that they could watch him play. His parents have been appreciative. He explained, “Sometimes, they can’t watch all of it [game] because of the time difference, but they really like to watch when they can.”
According to SAGU Digital Marketing Manager Daniel Woodward, more than 3,880 people from 35 countries have watched since SAGU.tv’s launch. Viewers tuned in from countries such as Serbia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Slovenia, and Bulgaria. He also points out the social aspects of SAGU.tv. Attendees at the event in person can Tweet from their mobile phones with the designated hash tag. Then, online viewers can see and respond to the discussion by utilizing the Twitter chat to the right of the video player.
Director of Media Services, John Cookman, explained that approximately 90 percent of the production crew is composed of students. Cookman hopes that it will become completely student-led in the future.
As a result of the service, prospective SAGU students can experience chapel from afar and parents can watch their son or daughter preach or lead worship. Viewers can access archived video-on-demand 24-hours per day.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private, Christian university located in Waxahachie, Texas. The University was established in 1927, and now offers more than 60 associates, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
