‣ CASE STUDY

The COVID-19 global pandemic forced the postponement and eventual cancelation of countless in-person gatherings. The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s player of the year banquets, presented by C Spire, were no exception. As a Mississippi-based telecommunications company, C Spire understood the importance of recognizing the best college athletes in the state and wanted to find a way to continue this tradition in a way that provided safeguards against infection. TV Center producers met with C Spire and the hall of fame, using public health restrictions as an opportunity to reimagine the awards banquets as a single, fast-paced presentation that allowed for the inclusion of player highlights, coaches’ testimonies, and recipient reaction, all from one location. Using a script developed by the TV Center, CBS Sports analyst Charles Davis came to campus and presented the trophies live to tape, with a same-day livestream to the general public.