David Payne on what digital activation and fan engagement looks like in collegiate sports

Thanks to David Payne for doing an awesome job in answering all the questions.

Full Transcript available in the Sports Geek Nation Member's Area.

Here's the highlight question from the Sports Geek Nation AMA with David Payne.

About David Payne

David Payne is the Senior Technology Strategist for the University of Oklahoma Athletics IT.

David has been working at the University of Oklahoma for almost 15 years. He first started in the academe, teaching introductory sociology and upper-level wealth, power and prestige courses. He eventually moved into the athletics department providing game day support on the IT operations of the athletics department. In 2011, David became the Director of IT for the OU Athletics Department where he works on improving the operations and developing, implementing and administering the policies and procedures related to technology in the athletics department.

David is also part of the SEAT Executive Advisory Board. SEAT or Sports & Entertainment Alliance in Technology is an annual unique and educational conference for sports & entertainment industry attended by professionals around the world.

Connect with David Payne on LinkedIn and Slack @paynehouse

Find out more about University of Oklahoma Athletics at soonersports.com

Q&A Highlight

David Payne:

Hello Jason, I think that the strategies are very similar. We have a football stadium with just over 86,000 seats that will sell out six or seven Saturdays a year. That is just one sport but I think the engagement approach would be very similar to what an NFL team does for a ten game home schedule in somewhat smaller stadiums. We have a very successful team and a rich tradition that helps fill the stadium. In addition to the loyal fans who have followed the teams for years, we also have 35,000 plus students per year on campus who may want to identify with their school team as part of their student life experience and alumni who move on from college into a career and geographic location distant from the team. Because of this I would identify a difference unique to the University environment is engaging students/alumni to develop them as lifelong fans and possibly both ticket buyers as well as potential donors. Engaging students through sports events as part of the campus education experience can evoke powerful memories from a developmental time that they can look back on fondly. This potentially sparks even greater participation as a fan when they move into their career beyond University. Every college will do this differently but they will engage students and alumni in the hopes of gaining support beyond the tuition dollar.

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