America East Best Practices: Boston U Coach Patrick Chambers and Chambers Vision

This blog is all about inspiration. We're going to spending 3 days elevating best practices from the squads that make up the America East Conference. You can tune in on this blog, or you can follow along on Twitter -- I'm @pawlow34 or on our new Facebook Fan page, here.

First, we analyzed the Vermont Athletics Flickr Channel (here).
Then, we hit you with Albany Coach Will Brown's unique digital approach to recruiting (here).

I love the Boston U athletics marketing. As a whole, they stack up well with the big conferences with a clear brand voice and positioning (see for yourself, here). But it was one thing that stood out as truly world class that's the subject of today's post.

As you'll see in the image below, when you hit the men's basketball home page (here), you are greeted with a visual of Coach Chambers on the right hand side of the page. I clicked in...

...and what I got was a super helpful look into ways to connect with Coach Chambers. Twitter and his blog plus coverage in the media. This is a simple step, but I'm a big fan of presenting fans (and recruits) with all the information they need in one spot, that's easy to get to. Solid.

Clicking in to Twitter, I wanted to show this (below and here) for purposes of contrast. First, I want to call out that Coach Chambers does a fantastic job on Twitter. He's got nearly 800 followers and hits them with a unique voice on his life as the BU coach.


But the contrast is very evident when you dive into his blog (shown below, linked here). Central to this blog are two things: a conversational voice and a video platform (Chambers Vision). Let's start with the voice. Check this post: "July is a tough time for a college coach. The travel is brutal but the opportunity to get back into a gym is the best feeling for a Coach. However, being on the road for days at a time - you start to think about the players you have back on campus, preparing for the season..." It goes on, but you get the drill.

What I love about this is the contrast. Yes, it's great for a coach to have Twitter. But, compare that post to something in 140 characters or less. Maybe something like, "July is a tough. Travel is brutal but love the opportunity to get back into a gym. Start thinking about the players back on campus." (and it doesn't go on).

Coach Chambers has uncovered something great -- it is the combination of the 2. Quick hits via Twitter and connection via a blog. Nice.

Now, video. There's a feature called Chambers vision, which is simply what Coach Chambers sees via a Flipcam. I loved this one (below - click in to watch it), as you see a team BBQ and you see coaches using iPads. Not only does this video make you feel more connected to the team and coaches, but you also see the program as more cutting edge.

These features extend through the summer, and I'm guessing we will see an inside look into BU Hoops come basketball season!

Tune in Monday as we shift to the Atlantic 10! And, don't forget, you can follow along on Twitter: I'm @pawlow34 or on Facebook, here.