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The Skyliner

North Greenville University hosts the [First] Coach Joe's Low Country Boil Tailgate Celebration

By: Chris Brank

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: News

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<b>Fan support:</b> students go all out for the NGU Crusaders vs. Newberry football game.

Media Credit: Joseph Huntley

Fan support: students go all out for the NGU Crusaders vs. Newberry football game.

<b>Band brings in the Game:</b> Chasen performs before the first televised football game for north Greenville University.

Media Credit: Joseph Huntley

Band brings in the Game: Chasen performs before the first televised football game for north Greenville University.

Chris Brank
Staff Writer

Naturally the rivalry between the top two Division II football teams in South Carolina received the attention of a fair amount of people, including a few at Charter Communications.

The call for a live, televised broadcast was on the way after last year's incredible season, ending with a NCCAA championship victory, and Charter was ready to answer.

Charter Cable Channel 10 started the broadcast of last Thursday's game at 7:07 p.m., giving fans who couldn't make it to the game a first-ever: Crusader football from the comfort of their living room with commentators Fred Cunningham and Ralph Patterson calling the action.

The live-broadcast of a game allowed North Greenville University to fill a few commercial spots.

The mass communication department produced three promotional commercials that were aired on Channel 10.

Charter set up multiple cameras around the field, which immediately generated excitement from fans who realized that the camera facing them had its red "on-air" light turned on.

Cameras caught the red sea of fans red-handed as they faithfully chanted, stomped and cheered for the Crusaders.

Along with the television broadcast, NGU organized a wide variety of pre-game activities, which included the First Annual Coach Joe's Low Country Boil Crusader Club Tailgate Celebration, a tailgate buffet for students and fans.

Also, North Greenville brought in the band Chasen to add some great music to the tailgating festivities. There was also a local punt, pass, and kick competition that started around 5:00 p.m., and the finals took place during halftime. The Summer Squire Readers that took place in the NGU summer reading program were recognized, given shirts and free admission.

At the end of the night, every fan left the stadium knowing they had been a part of something more than just another Crusader game: this first broadcast could be the start of something big.

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