The 2012 Linfield Highlight Video is in the bag!

Respect All, Fear None

Actually, the 2012 Linfield Football highlight video has been completed for a few months now. Next Monday (March 25th) we’re going to start rolling out weekly clips from the 2012 video. I’m fired up to showcase the weekly highlights of a team that finished the season 11-1 and reached the Division III Elite 8. A little healthier and I felt the 2012 team would have been playing for a national title but that’s a post for another day. This year’s highlight video is our traditional format of weekly game clips that starts with the offensive fireworks and moves to the defense highlights. The total runtime is at 1 hour and 18 minutes. I really like this year’s opening clip. It’s what we usually do but has a bit more stylistic flare.

I told the players back in January at the premier that the quality of the highlight video is 99% on the players themselves. They are the ones putting up over 40 points and making huge defense plays after the next. It’s their cohesion, tenacity, and fire that makes my job infinitely easier. All I have to do is point the camera and try not to miss another big play. Putting together a quality highlight video would be much more difficult at most other football programs but not at Linfield.

So my first thank you goes to the players. Thank you for letting me get in your personal space and for accepting me and my camera in the locker room, in the huddle, and on the field. You guys always treat me with respect and it’s my honor to be around another standout group of young people. Thank you.

Video: Once again 2010 All-American offensive tackle Aaron Heston was my 2nd cameraman on the year. Aaron was great once again as he worked one of our cameras for Hardin-Simmons, at CLU, Whitworth, Lewis & Clark, Willamette, and Pacific. Aaron’s intimate knowledge of the game and his instincts were a huge asset in capturing some top plays on the season. I don’t know if I’ll have Hesto back next season but he’ll always have my gratitude for the help the past two years.

As in 2011, we incorporated much more coaches’ footage (wide and end zone) into our sideline shots. Coach Gabe Haberly was instrumental in getting that footage to me on a weekly basis. Gabe is a proactive person and that trait was on display in getting me what I needed weekly. Thank you Gabe!

Linfield Sports Information Director Kelly Bird also needs a big thank you for taking care of field access both in the ‘Catdome and out on the road. Kelly has a reputation for being one of the best small college S.I.D.’s around and it’s for a good reason. He’s on point.

Photography: Headed into the 2012 season I was nervous on this front. Photography is a huge part of the highlight video (transition pieces) and with our weekly game recaps on the blog. Linfield Professor Brad Thompson has been helping me out since the 2009 season with his incredible game shots but Brad was on sabbatical this past fall. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do but then came Linda MacClanathan to my rescue. Linda has a deep connection to Linfield as her husband, Todd, played at Linfield and her son, Michael (#28), is a current player for the ‘Cats defensive line. Along with that, Linda is a fine photographer and provided me with a huge amount of photos to pick and choose from. Linda saved my bacon this year and I cannot thank her enough for her generosity and kindness. The MacClanathan’s are Linfield to the core and I’m thankful for getting to know them over the past few seasons. Linda provided me with photos for every game this season (sans the CLU game – Kelly Bird hooked me up for that game).

Music: This is something that I always labor over and try my best to get right. There are over 100 players on the team and different tastes in music. I do my best to represent a wide range of taste because I know music is important in all of our lives. We all love music and how various songs are linked to memories in our lives. It’s important to try to get it right. With that said, I am approaching 37 (yikes) so I do need help on what’s good and not. 2011 ‘Catdome graduate and 3 year starting monster back Kala’e Parish offered up two great suggestions (Top of the City & No Friend) that worked perfectly. Former All-NWC linebacker Jaymin Jackson (2009) is always looking out for me and sending me suggestions. I always appreciate it Jay. Mrs. Wildcat11 is my country music expert and set me up with (Creepin’ & Feel Like a Rock Star). However, much to Colin Forman’s disappointment I didn’t use Bangarang , but due to his persistence, I did find a dubstep track that worked. So thank you Colin for the inspiration in finding the Bulls on Parade remix.

Radio: Linfield play-by-play man Bill Johnson is all-in with the ‘Cats. Bill is a good man and is incredibly generous and willing to do what he can to help me out with my stupid requests. He is passionate about the ‘Cats and pro’s pro behind the mic. I think we’re dang lucky to have a talent like Bill calling the action for Linfield. I always feel welcome up in the booth with Dave Hanson (the ‘Cats longtime color man) and Bill’s wife (and spotter) Laurie. They’re a tremendous group of ‘Cats.

Voice: When I write “voice” there is only one man I could be talking about. Retired professor of speech and director of forensics Craig Singletary might have one of the greatest voices….ever. Craig has provided free of charge his voice for numerous voiceovers on scoreboard intro videos and opening clips. It would break my small budget in half if I had to hire out a voice talent at Craig’s level. He has a true gift that he provides at no cost because he loves Linfield football. On top of that, Craig is the best PA in any sporting venue in the country. Find me one better, I dare you.

Support: I can’t thank Linfield Head Coach Joseph Smith enough for his support. I do my best to leave Coach alone but occasionally I need some help and Coach always has my back. When he asked me to put together the highlight video in 2006 I had no idea what I was doing but Coach Smith has done nothing but provided unlimited access to the program and his assistance. It’s made all the difference.

Along with that I have to thank Linfield Athletic Director Scott Carnahan for his continued support and Coach Doug Hire and Coach Phil Rombach for behind the scenes support. The support they offer are paramount for me in being able to offer up the best product I can make. Thank you coaches!

To wrap this up I have to thank my incredible wife Kelly. There is no way I could do these projects without a partner and loving wife that didn’t support this “hobby” 100%. After our baby goes down for the night, I spend countless hours in the fall pulling and editing clips for the highlight video. To her, it has to seem endless but she’s always encouraging me to chase the ‘Cats around the country and make the best videos I can. I’m blessed to have her in my life and so are the Linfield Wildcats.

Next Monday, the fun begins!