By day, Dylan Przybylski is sports director for Titan TV in the Radio TV Film (RTF) program.
By weekend, when the Green Bay Packers are in town, Lambeau Field is Przybylski’s classroom, studio and workplace.
The UWO student is part of the production team commanding Tundra Vision—the in-stadium crew that controls Lambeau’s video and audio production, mammoth digital scoreboard and overall multimedia game experience.
So, Przybylski already knows what the highest level of broadcast and game-experience TV production looks like. And that’s why he’s an advocate for a game changing investment in technology that would, in part, enhance the connection between two UWO athletics venues and Titan TV’s UWO learning-laboratory studios for future broadcasters and multimedia producers.
The Universities of Wisconsin and the Board of Regents have advanced $1.4 million in their 2025-27 capital budget to fund technology upgrades, including a fiber optic data line, connecting Titan Stadium and Kolf Sports Center to UWO’s Radio TV Film program studios in the campus Arts and Communication Center. The Titan TV control room will also be outfitted with new technology to modernize production capabilities closer to industry standards RTF graduates will work with.
“I see the big benefits of this project from a wide perspective, as it doesn’t only enhance sports but all live productions that students work on,” Przybylski said. “It allows us (students) to be engaged in more modern technology, which we then can apply to the workforce post-graduation. As someone who is working for Tundra Vision with the Green Bay Packers, I am seeing firsthand how fiber connections benefit both the in-house production and the network companies as they share camera signals.”
One step ahead
The proposed UWO technology improvements will eliminate the need for student crews in the award-winning RTF program to haul bulky, outdated production equipment such as mixers and monitors to each venue for football, soccer, basketball, volleyball and other gameday productions.
The project will resolve issues related to outdated teaching practices, accessibility, and equipment travel costs, according to a Universities of Wisconsin synopsis which cites the opportunity to provide RTF students a modern, remote-production experience akin to those in the broadcasting industry.
“This investment recognizes that Titan TV gameday productions at Titan Stadium and Kolf Sports Center represent one of UWO’s best examples of experiential learning,” Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ed Martini said.
“UWO RTF students continue to win awards for their stellar sports productions, and so many go on to incredible careers in broadcasting and film,” Martini said. “Earning this investment in our program will, no question, ensure students only get more relevant learning opportunities to create network-caliber productions.”
Next up for the project: Earning the Wisconsin Legislature’s and Governor Tony Evers’ endorsement as part of the Universities of Wisconsin’s two-year capital budget.
The project also represents a timely investment in an academic program entering its seventh decade. The RTF program celebrates 60 years at this year’s UWO Homecoming weekend, October 18 through October 20. The program’s Titan TV operations is itself marking 50 years.
“This upgrade allows us to replicate how any major sport is being done right now,” said Justine Stokes, Titan TV General Manager. “… Can we replicate what the industry is doing and what our alumni are seeing? Can we get those methods here on site? We have a great Athletics program; they’re doing well. They want to see their stuff covered at the caliber they are playing. So, I’m really excited for it. Instead of students spending two hours moving gear, you’re really focused on the product and what you’re giving to the viewer.”
Przybylski said he and his peers know the gear-hauling challenges well.
“As one of the sports directors for Titan TV sports, I work firsthand hauling all the equipment from site to site, setting up early call times for our crew and working long hours on productions. The fiber line project would eliminate these issues. Fiber being added to the university would allow the sports program to bring half of the equipment on-site while the rest is already at our station. It would allow our news team to take more live shots and give more variety for our news production. It would allow a much more modern production scene on campus that can give students another tool in their toolbox.”
Stokes said Titan TV’s track record for delivering quality learning experiences while generating nationally recognized productions certainly justifies the investment.
The award-winning program currently boasts two of four finalists for the National Student Production Awards for NCAA basketball productions, she said. UWO RTF continues to compete against prominent schools of communication and broadcasting around the country.
RTF also earned the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Teaching Excellence Award in 2020.
“This upgrade will let us go to that next level that I know we can get to, that I know my students are capable of,” Stokes said.
Learn more:
UWO Radio TV Film alumnus Kenton Barber to be honored with 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award