SportsCenter Hits the Road with Matt Barrie: Live from College Campuses on Thursdays
Before Matt Barrie calls Tulane at UNC Charlotte football on Thursday night, he co-hosts SportsCenter from the 49ers' campus. How did this now routine Thursday double-duty assignment come about?
SportsCenter continues to find unique ways to capture the excitement of football game days, and the latest example is by sending host Matt Barrie on the road for live segments from college campuses in advance of ESPN’s Thursday night games.
I've loved @MattBarrie and @CoachDanMullen doing live Sportscenter hits throughout the day ahead of Thursday night college football all season. Been some good scenes. pic.twitter.com/XWGwktSq7y
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 31, 2024
Barrie – also the Thursday night play-by-play voice – is anchoring editions of his 2 p.m. ET SportsCenter on location for the fourth straight week, engaging with coaches, athletes, and students and bringing fans closer to the action. Christine Williamson continues to co-host live from the SportsCenter studio in Bristol, enhancing the broadcast with insights and live updates as Barrie connects with fans from each campus.
The latest stop this week is UNC Charlotte, where the 49ers face Tulane on Thursday night in an American Conference showdown (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Barrie will host SportsCenter from the CHHS Quad that day.
A Collaborative Effort
The idea to take SportsCenter on the road this season was sparked by the production team’s commitment to capturing the college football atmosphere from campus to campus and to promote ESPN’s Thursday night matchups.
“Bringing SportsCenter back to campus has been incredible. JMU [James Madison University], Virginia Tech, and Pitt have fully embraced the experience, and the energy has been amazing,” shared Barrie. “I’m already there to call the Thursday night game, and [SVP, Production] Mike Foss and [VP, SportsCenter] James Dunn were the driving forces behind making this happen. I can’t wait for the rest of the season!”
Each week, SportsCenter works with the university’s athletic media relations and marketing teams to coordinate details — from selecting the perfect backdrop to integrating each school’s unique spirit and traditions into the show.
“The buy-in from the schools we visit has been phenomenal,” said producer Jason Greenberg. “UNC Charlotte marks our fourth week on the road, and each week, the enthusiasm and energy has increased.”
Immersing in Campus Culture
Thursday’s 2 p.m. ET SportsCenter broadcast has become a public event – with callouts on linear and social platforms in the days leading up to the game for the fans to come out. Students, bands, cheerleaders, and mascots are all invited to join Barrie at a specific location on campus to showcase their enthusiasm and be a part of the show.
All three campus locations so far – James Madison, Virginia Tech, and Pitt – have delivered enthusiastic crowds, including last week’s show staged at Pitt’s iconic Cathedral of Learning, and even featured Pro Football Hall of Famer and Panthers legend Larry Fitzgerald.
Signature segments of SportsCenter’s Thursday road shows:
- Campus Cuisine: Showcases campus flavor with some of the best eats for Barrie’s pregame meal, delivered from a local restaurant.
- CFB Preview: Analyst Dan Mullen joins Barrie for a preview of the Thursday night game and the upcoming weekend’s national college football scene.
- Coach Walk-and-Talk: A segment where Barrie pre-tapes an interview with the home team head coach in a unique campus location, allowing fans a glimpse behind the scenes.
- College Games: Barrie, Mullen, and reporter Harry Lyles, Jr. challenge students to cornhole, (water-filled) beer pong, flip cup, and other college games.
