"We're looking for students who work hard and are willing to learn. That's even more important than talent."

These words may very well have come from Fairfield University's Sydney Johnson or Joe Frager, and they would certainly ring true with the Stags' two head basketball coaches. But in this particular instance, the statement comes from the leader of a different team of Stags – the Fairfield University Media Center.

For the past 10 seasons, Casey Timmeny '99 has been one of the driving forces behind Fairfield Basketball's consistent presence on television. As the Director of the Media Center, Timmeny and his crew of Fairfield students, alumni and Media Center staff are the MAAC's only in-house production company to be delivering live athletic events for television broadcast.

This academic year, five Fairfield basketball games were broadcast live on SportsNet New York (SNY), continuing a partnership with the regional network. Fairfield is also slated to broadcast the March 12 men's lacrosse game from Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium pitting the Stags against in-state rival and perennial national contender Yale. All of the Stags' SNY broadcasts are also delivered to ESPN3 for online viewing nationwide.

"The partnership with ESPN3 has been very beneficial to Fairfield and the MAAC, and being on SNY elevates our profile even further," commented Fairfield Director of Athletics Gene Doris. "In addition to being available to fans that are seeking them out online, our games are now a part of cable packages nationwide, including just about every cable system in the tri-state area, listed alongside games from the ACC and the Big East."

For an average basketball game day at Webster Bank Arena, The Media Center assembles a crew of 20 or so Fairfield students, alumni and the full-time Media Center staff – most of whom are also graduates of the University.  Though younger students may spend a game or two 'shadowing' a more experienced crew member, they quickly fill critical, demanding, high pressure roles that are crucial to delivering a professional broadcast.

"Since we began televising Fairfield-produced games on SNY, we immediately recognized the professional nature in which their group conducted themselves and their broadcasts," said SNY senior vice president and executive producer Curt Gowdy, Jr. "The quality of Fairfield's homegrown game production places it at the forefront of University-produced live sporting events. It is a testament to the Fairfield staff, alumni and students tasked with bringing it all together, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the years ahead."

The long road to delivering Fairfield basketball to SNY began – appropriately – with a truck.

Through the efforts of former Director of the Media Center Jim Mayzik, S.J. and the now-retired Director of Television Production Brian Merry, the University purchased a production truck in 2006 that would allow the Media Center to take its show on the road. Doris pitched the idea of broadcasting Fairfield basketball to University administration, never wavering in his confidence in the Media Center and its students.

"Having seen the work done by the Media Center, which is always outstanding, there was no doubt in my mind that they would be able to meet and exceed the standards of broadcast television," said Doris. "Just like our student-athletes, Fairfield students display an incredible commitment to excellence in all of their endeavors. I was confident that they would welcome this new challenge."

And with that, during the 2006-07 season, Fairfield men's basketball was broadcast live on a local Cablevision affiliate. On its own merits, this is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. But for the Fairfield University Media Center, it was only the beginning. The crew of professionals and students continued to elevate their level of production to new heights, moving on to a partnership with My9 Channel 59 and winning a College Sports Media Award in 2010 for Best Live Game in a category that also included Arkansas, New Mexico State and Texas A&M.

Steve Minnick '94, an Emmy Award winner and Technical Director for Fairfield Basketball, remarked that "the live experience is great for the students involved; it mimics any live basketball broadcast by any of the big-name networks. We may not have Super Slo-Mo and things of that nature yet, but we produce a show that is certainly on par with the best of them. Not many universities can say that."

Fairfield Basketball was the inspiration toward the revamping of the production truck, which was upgraded and remodeled specifically to meet the demands of a live broadcast. The capability to provide high-definition content was improved, and graphics software and hardware were purchased to accommodate the industry standard set by ESPN.

"We've always tried to be cutting edge as far as technology; regular upgrades to our equipment have been vital to our growth." Timmeny said. "And most importantly, it keeps our students ahead of the curve when they move on to production jobs after graduation. Our graduates have gone on to work at numerous industry leaders including ESPN, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Google, Fox News, Disney and more."

With the technology, resources and a stable of talented Fairfield students, alumni and staff, the Media Center has reached unprecedented heights. High-definition, professional-level broadcasts on SNY and ESPN3 have brought Fairfield Basketball into the homes of Stags fans nationwide, and the partnership continues to grow with the inclusion of Fairfield Lacrosse.

And the prospect of growing even further – adding more games, more sports and more technology – doesn't deter the Fairfield University Media Center.

"It's a thrilling, unique challenge every time we go live," said Timmeny. "When you get past all of the nerves and apprehension of doing it once, you can't wait to do it again."