Tagged: ‘John Calipari’

posted by Sheldon Spencer on May 21, 2013 12:00 PM

Former Kentucky basketball star Nerlens Noel visits ESPN campus before NBA Draft Lottery

Nerlens Noel turned 19 years old in April. To our knowledge, ESPN’s cameras were not present at his birthday party. But ESPN has chronicled many milestone moments in the former University of Kentucky basketball star’s development.

In April 2012, ESPN aired his head-turning commitment to the Wildcats; in October, ESPN captured his first collegiate practices; in February 2013, the 6-foot, 10-inch shot blocker suffered a season-ending injury in a game airing on ESPN’s platforms. The next significant step in Noel’s career happens tonight on ESPN when the NBA conducts the 2013 Draft Lottery (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on KIA NBA Countdown) before Game 2 of the San Antonio Spurs-Memphis Grizzlies Western Conference Finals duel. continue reading…

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Filed in: Behind The Scenes, NBAOnESPN

posted by Bob Flanagan on December 30, 2012 1:04 PM

ESPN Images: Behind the scenes of Bristol Car Wash 2012, Part I

2012 Carwash – Images by ESPN

Our ESPN Images group provide photographic coverage to all kinds of sporting events, ranging from the BCS Bowl games to the X Games competitions.

While those are examples of some of the larger events our photographers cover, we also love documenting the “Car Washes” on ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. campus. The “Car Wash” is what happens when an athlete or celebrity visits ESPN and appears on various shows and platforms.

None of this happens without the help of our colleagues, the ESPN Talent Producers. They book the guests and coordinate the guests’ schedules with various ESPN departments.

In 2012, ESPN Images captured more than 50 Car Washes, many of which were profiled on this site’s “Captured On (and Off) Campus” feature.

Although we capture great moments on the set of shows such as SportsCenter and First Take, some of the best moments happen when the television cameras aren’t rolling.

We’ve assembled 24 photos featuring behind-the-scenes shots from the Bristol Car Wash, 12 that are featured in this post. We’ll unveil 12 more Tuesday, Jan. 1 on Front Row.

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, Waxing On The Car Wash

posted by David Scott on October 25, 2012 11:15 AM

Front & Center: Documentarian Jonathan Hock

“Jake,” directed by Jonathan Hock, debuts on Grantland today as the website continues its “30 for 30″
short film series. Author Alfred Slote is pictured above.

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the all new ESPN Radio app, now available for the iPad.

Jonathan Hock has won eight Emmys and widespread acclaim as one of the premiere sports documentarians of his generation. It would be unfair to ask him what his favorite project has been.

But if you listen to his voice in the above podcast when he discusses the reverence he has for author Alfred Slote, you will get the sneaking suspicion that the short film, Jake, which debuted today on Grantland, is right near the top of his list.

Special illustrations were created for Hock’s film as the book did not include drawings when it was published in 1971.

Through ESPN’s 30 for 30 film series, Hock, 48, has become known for incredible filmmaking and unmatched storytelling. Whether it was with Unguarded or The Best that Never Was or any of Hock’s other riveting documentaries, the Long Island native consistently delivers some of the most compelling content in the genre.

Jake is no exception, even though it is barely 11 minutes in length. It marks the second time Hock has created content for the 30 for 30 shorts series, after his first Hockumentary, Draft Day with Royce White. Hock discussed both projects and more in his ESPN Chat on Wednesday. continue reading…

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by Jay Jay Nesheim on October 17, 2012 12:08 PM

All-Access Kentucky offers inside look at defending NCAA basketball champs

ESPN’s new series All-Access Kentucky will premiere tonight at 7 ET, offering an inside look at the lives of the University of Kentucky Wildcats as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball season.

The show follows the day-to-day activities of Coach John Calipari and the Cats as they attempt to repeat as Division I national champions — minus last season’s starters.

All-Access Kentucky goes behind the scenes at pre-dawn workouts as new recruits work to learn the Kentucky system and get to know each other, the coaching staff and the returning players. ESPN’s cameras follow Coach Cal from his kitchen to the court, from the airport to the office.

Episode 1 focuses on freshman Nerlens Noel, the top 2012 recruit in the nation according to ESPN. The 6-foot, 10-inch center is trying to get acclimated to the team while fans draw comparisons to last year’s Wildcats center, No. 1 overall 2012 NBA draft pick Anthony Davis.

ESPN’s VP of Original Programming and Production Jamie Horowitz has been on-site at the University of Kentucky and recently spoke to Front Row about the series. continue reading…

Filed in: Announcements, Behind The Scenes

posted by Nick Creegan on July 26, 2012 12:00 PM

Intern Chronicles: Candice Cruz

Here’s Candice Cruz, now an ESPN intern, being crowned Miss Teen United States 2010.
(Courtesy Candice Cruz)

Editor’s note: Front Row’s Intern Chronicles series returns with the first 2012 installment. For more information on ESPN Internships, visit ESPN Careers by clicking here.

Athletes, stats experts, sports purists, fanatics.

They’re all around the ESPN campus, and most of the summer interns here fall into one, if not all, of those categories.

One such individual also counts beauty pageant contestant among her interests.

Candice Cruz is a former Miss Teen United States and an entrant in the recent Miss Kentucky contest. The 21-year-old is an intern with Media Technologies.

Her job at ESPN consists of ingesting video feeds to be archived on the server and on tape.

“With this particular position I have learned a lot more of the behind the scenes aspects that go into helping the network run,” said Cruz, a native of Brandenburg, Ky. and a senior at the University of Kentucky.

“I have a larger understanding and respect for everyone that works in television, regardless of the department.”

A previous internship with CoachCal.com — a web site run by Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari — was also beneficial. It was almost a pre-game warmup for what was ahead of her at ESPN.

ESPN intern Candice Cruz works in the Media Technologies department.

“CoachCal.com was an amazing experience that I had as a freshman at UK,” she said. “I learned a lot about working with a flip cam, documenting, researching and interviewing — all skills that are very important for my future with television.”

In mid-July, Cruz returned to her ESPN internship after a week of competition for Miss Kentucky honors, the official state preliminary event for Miss America.

While she did not win Miss Kentucky, she did earn a $1,000 scholarship. continue reading…

Filed in: Intern Chronicles

posted by David Scott on March 26, 2012 8:54 AM

Tweetback: Final Four filled in; Tiger on track and Bert Sugar remembered

Front Row knows you have better things to do all weekend than check your social media feeds, so we do it for you.

Here, from the ESPN PR universe, are some of the Tweets, posts and other commentary you may have missed.

You can thank us later!

Filed in: Uncategorized, Weekend Tweetback

posted by Sheldon Spencer on November 21, 2011 3:15 PM

Calipari reflects on ESPN’s growth, impact on his college basketball career

As we posted last week on Front Row, the second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats used ESPN’s new gym as a practice facility Friday.

The Bristol, Conn. campus played temporary home to the Wildcats before they played two games in nearby Uncasville, Conn. in the Naismith Hall Of Fame Tip-Off Classic.

On Sunday the young Wildcats — they start three freshmen and two sophs — rallied to beat fiesty Old Dominion 62-52.

On Saturday, Kentucky beat Penn State 85-47.

In the video above, Wildcats head coach John Calipari spoke to Front Row’s David Scott before the Friday practice.

Calipari reminisced about how much ESPN has helped frame his rise through the basketball coaching ranks: At one point, a cable television subscription trumped purchasing furniture.

We don’t think that’s been a problem recently, but his storytelling is always entertaining.

Editor’s note: Front Row’s David Scott spent the past two years serving as John Calipari’s social media and business manager at UK and has a relationship with Coach Calipari dating back to their days at UMass in the 1990s. David co-authored Calipari’s book, Bounce Back, released in 2009.

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, Bump And Run

posted by Sheldon Spencer on November 18, 2011 4:12 PM

Calipari, Wildcats visit Bristol

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As the University of Massachusetts head basketball coach from 1989-96, John Calipari had plenty of opportunities to visit ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. campus in its relative infancy.

Calipari remembers when ESPN seemingly consisted of just two buildings and some trailers.

Today, the University of Kentucky’s head coach put his team through its paces on ESPN’s spanking new indoor basketball court, seen in the photos above.

Apparently, Coach Cal is impressed with ESPN’s growth.

“I was here when there was Building 2,” he told Scott Van Pelt on ESPN Radio this afternoon.

“You parked on the street. You walked under the overhang. You went upstairs. People had their makeup on their desks. Not like you have windows, and glass, and ladies who make you guys up, even for radio!”

Calipari was impressed with the state-of-the art gym and the sprawl of rest of the campus. But he suggested ESPN executives remind employees where it all started. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, Today on Campus

posted by David Scott on November 17, 2011 2:19 PM

ESPN set to welcome Coach Cal and Cats this Friday

They took a bite out of the Big Apple on Tuesday night with a 75-65 win over Kansas.

On Friday, the Kentucky Wildcats will bring their traveling road show to the Bell City, Bristol, Conn.

Coach John Calipari will do interviews with several ESPN platforms, including SportsCenter (scheduled for the 1 p.m. ET hour). The entire Kentucky traveling party is scheduled to tour the sprawling ESPN campus. Kentucky will also practice at ESPN’s new gym.

The team’s Saturday game against Penn State from Mohegan Sun will be streamed on ESPN3 beginning at noon and Sunday’s UK game is on ESPNU, also at noon ET.

“As viewers know, we regularly have coaches and athletes visit our headquarters to appear on our outlets and programs,” said Nick Dawson, ESPN’s director of programming and acquisitions.

“With Kentucky playing in the area this week/weekend, it worked out for them to make a stop in Bristol on Friday. We look forward to having them on-campus. Hopefully, they enjoy a behind the scenes look at ESPN.”

“We’re looking forward to being on the ESPN Campus,” said Calipari, who recalls making the drive from Amherst, Mass. to Bristol during his days at UMass.

“We’re excited to be in the studio and meet all the personalities. Our players grew up on ESPN and it’s a big deal to them and our staff. When I used to come there, it was a couple of trailers and a dish!”

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Filed in: Today on Campus, Top Stories

posted by David Scott on October 14, 2011 1:00 PM

FR Podcast: UK’s John Calipari

: Calipari (with ESPN’s Doris Burke) utilizes Midnight Madness to create buzz for his program.

iPad Version

The calendar reads mid-October, but tonight will have a decidedly March feel as college basketball get its unofficial kickoff with a bevy of Midnight Madnesses from coast to coast.

Beginning at 9 p.m. ET, the four-hour ESPNU Midnight Madness special (see schedule below) will preview top college programs in whip-around coverage of 11 basketball events across the nation.

On-site commentators will provide coverage of various elements including scrimmages, player introductions, skill and dunk contests, team skits, head coach and player interviews, along with season previews.

Programs included in the madness will be ESPN’s Andy Katz’s preseason No. 1 North Carolina, No. 2 Kentucky, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 5 Duke, No. 6 Connecticut, No. 9 Louisville and No. 20 Texas A&M — all live on ESPN3. Additional team spotlights with coach interviews will emanate from No.3 Ohio State, No. 7 Vanderbilt, No. 8 Memphis, No. 10 Arizona, No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 12 Florida as well as New Mexico and UCLA.

The Front Row Podcast caught up with Kentucky coach John Calipari on Thursday as he put the final touches on his “State of the Cats” address which will be delivered to a sold out crowd at UK’s “Big Blue Madness” held in Lexington, Ky.’s Rupp Arena.

Coach Cal was an early adopter of Midnight Madness during his days at UMass and offers some perspective on what the night means to his program, Wildcat fans and recruiting.

Basketball Programs and Commentators	Site	Networks (Times ET)*
North Carolina Stuart Scott	Dean Smith Center	ESPNU and ESPN3 (7:30 p.m.)
Kentucky Jimmy Dykes	Rupp Arena	ESPNU and ESPN3 (7:30 p.m.)
Syracuse Rich Hollenberg and Tim Welsh	Carrier Dome	ESPNU and ESPN3 (8 p.m.)
Duke Lou Canellis and Bill Raftery	Cameron Indoor Stadium	ESPNU and ESPN3 (8 p.m.)
Connecticut Mark Brown and Doris Burke	Gampel Pavilion	ESPNU and ESPN3 (7 p.m.)
Louisville Bob Valvano	The Yum! Center	ESPNU and ESPN3 (7 p.m.)
Baylor Fran Fraschilla	Ferrell Center	ESPNU
Kansas Sean Farnham	Allen Field House	ESPNU
Texas A&M Dave Armstrong and Carolyn Peck	Kyle Field (football stadium)	ESPNU and ESPN3 (12:45 a.m.)
Creighton Stephen Bardo	D.J. Sokol Arena	ESPNU
Michigan State Dan Dakich	Breslin Center	ESPNU

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Filed in: Podcast