Why I'm Thankful for UAH Hoops.com

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I'm taking the week to look at 5 sites who aren't "Official" School sites but who make following a program more dynamic. These sites play a critical role in building an athletics brand, and should not be ignored for the roll they play in cultivating a fan base... and inspiring a (prospective) recruit.

Tune in on this blog, or you can follow me on Twitter (I'm @pawlow34) or on Facebook, here.

Up today, the University of Alabama Huntsville's basketball platform: UAH Hoops.com, linked here and shown below. (Yes, my bandwidth on this is deep!)

UAH is here because they prove to all of us that you if you pick a few things and do them well, you can make an impact and define your program to the current generation of prospective recruits. I guess what that means is they get it and strive to lead in an area that is evolving. Here's what I see...

Video Power

It's clear if you visit the site that UAH is going to leverage video to tell their story. It is evident the minute you hit the site and see the video stories inside their page. As you'll note, it is easy for others (like me) to take their videos and share them, thus increasing their reach. These videos are done well to reinforce what's important to the program. As you'll check below, they have an impact. (LOVE the music in this!)

The main navigation also signals out Webisodes, which are visible here (or click into the sample below). As you'll see, there is now 2 seasons worth of content at your fingertips, and it covers highlights from multiple games at a chunk -- very easy for a recruit to get a feel for their style of play and if they are a fit.

Here's that video to check out (the latest Webisode):

How could this be better? Context. We have great access -- multiple games built together inside 5-10 minute chunks. You see the system and style of play. You feel the energy. But what you don't get is an overview, at a glance, of what makes this worth your time. I think it could be solved by adding personality -- what were the coaches (or players)' most memorable moments during that time? What were they most proud of. Was it a tough road trip that brought the team together? Did depth play a role? Did a young player emerge? Tell us the story in words and then give us the cinematic experience once we're sold!

Imagine you're just in a conversation with Recruits

Yes, Recruits are in the Main Nav (which you know by now I love). Click in here and you'll see how a personal approach works for UAH. It's a great contrast to the "Webisode 1, Webisode 2, etc." approach above. And you get it, right away.

Check out the workout style of the team, here.

Spring Workouts 2010 from Coach Ivey on Vimeo.

How could this be better? Give us a little more insight. I love the personal approach on that slide. But I'd love more. What do they strive to get out of the workouts? How does the process work? What are the case studies of success? Who do they model themselves after? This could all be solved via text -- no need for a big time video. Just give us the context this story lives in!

Put emphasis on being BMOC's
As you can see here, UAH created a destination for their Fan Club, the UAH Blue Crew. It's a place that aggregates the latest pictures, Tweets (which are very emotional), and Events (listen live, game preparation, and my favorites a Tailgating Guide and things every UAH student should know (including the fact that you stand the entire game!) And, collectively, this is a nice reminder to student athletes (prospective ones) that this is a destination. An event people can't wait to support. You will be on the stage, and it is fun!


Yes, yum.
Rules to live by...

How could this be better? I'd love to have more photography here. Insider, iPhone style is great. Just let us see how crazy this 150 strong student section is and why it creates a nightmare scenario for the road team!

That's it. And, THANK YOU to UAH for inspiring me in a place I wasn't expecting it!

Come back tomorrow as we give you one final break down yet another site to be Thankful for! Don't forget, Tune in on this blog, or you can follow me on Twitter (I'm @pawlow34) or on Facebook, here.