Colonial Athletic Association Best Practices: Northeastern's iPhone App Keeps You Current

This blog is all about inspiration. Today we start with 3 days elevating best practices from the squads that make up the CAA. You can tune in on this blog, or you can follow along on Facebook (linked here) or on Twitter -- I'm @pawlow34.

What makes something a best practice? This isn't about the most intricate experience. It's about looking at the world from your consumer's point of view and delivering something that hits it right smack on the head. For this work, I'm treating the primary consumer as that prospective student athlete.

Thus far we've seen Hofstra Bring in the Energy from Facebook, here, and Towson Establish LinkedIn, here.

Let's keep finish up...

Hit the Northeastern athletics website and hover over the middle callout: Stay Connected. You'll see an iPhone App called out, which we'll dive into.

I have to confess that I haven't really been a big fan of University iPhone apps thus far. They tend to be fairly expensive (many range from $4.99-$9.99) and tend to not offer much more than you can already find on the school's site for free. But I also find it a big area of opportunity, as App icons are quick becoming associated with the identity of the phone (or iPod Touch) owner.

Let's take a look at what is offered... Clicking in takes us here, shown below. The official description for this Go Huskies App is:

"instant access to Northeastern University Athletics news & headlines, as well as updated schedules and scores for individual teams. The app features the latest photos of athletics events and live streaming access to Northeastern University's student radio station WRBB 104.9 FM."

Oh, and... this app is free.

I like the potential here. Photography, schedules & standings, all at your fingertips without charging you for it? Nice.

How could this be better? I love the thought of live radio streamed here. Could they offer live streaming of sports events? And could they pull in the Facebook/Twitter updates from Northeastern Athletics? This could create a must-have app for any alum (or prospective student-athlete!)

Tune in next week as we hit another conference...

And, don't forget, you can follow along on Facebook (here) or on Twitter: I'm @pawlow34.

Andy