MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Colonial Pride is in full swing as the Robert Morris University live sports production team has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Student Production Award.

The award was announced for the student-led production of the RMU Women's Hockey game against Mercyhurst on January 19, 2024. The live broadcast was nominated for a student production award in the Live Sporting Event and Games category at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-Atlantic Chapter's 2024 College Production Awards.

The student-lead crew consisted of Zack Jones (Producer), Cameron Macariola (Replay), Cameron Wickline (Director/Technical Director), Nate Fanell (Graphics Operator), Maranda Kuzemka (Camera), Michael Deemer (Camera), Samantha Dutch (Camera), Nathan Kingston (Camera), Nick Huth (Camera), Sam Goldberg (Play-by-Play) and Matt Simkovic (Color Commentator). The team had a range of students, from sophomores to graduate students, with the three then-sophomores serving as the production leaders.

The purpose of the Mid-Atlantic Awards' student contest is to encourage students to continue their pursuit of excellence in media and journalism. Producer Zack Jones, a member of the RMU Class of 2026, said the nomination inspires him and the other crew members. 

"We are already motivated to keep doing better and keep building on this great foundation our crew has laid," said Jones. "And if we lose, that's even more motivation!"

Robert Morris University is up against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Marywood University in their category. Crew members believe their production stands out because of the crew's communication and talent. Camera operator Nathan Kingston, a member of the Class of 2025, believes that the crews' ability to communicate and relationships with one another makes this production and every production incredible. 

"No other group had the communication that we had, or comradery," said Kingston. 

Jones believes that it is the talent of everyone on the crew, even giving special recognition to their graphics operator, Nate Fanell. 

"Our production benefits massively from our experienced crew, who do incredible work every single week," said Jones. "The graphics package Nate made for us is much better than what a student should be capable of making, and we are incredibly proud to flaunt his handiwork." 

The crew hopes to take home the award this year and is already preparing for another busy season of live sports to submit for the next contest. The award ceremony is on September 21, 2024, at the Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh, Pa.