WCGtv wins Volleyball Manitoba Award

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Technical Producer Brad Smith and Team Lead Vern Riddle are joined alongside Bobcat head coach Grant Wilson.

Volleyball Manitoba’s 2025 Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Ceremony was held Sunday, June 8 in Winnipeg with WCGtv/Westman Communications Group earning volunteer of the year honours.

WCGtv has been providing Brandon University Bobcat coverage for close to 40 years and that loyal service was on full display for the entire country to see.

A talented crew of 24 staff members – the overwhelming majority being volunteers – assembled to produce 11 matches for the U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship – presented by Sunrise Credit Union from March 21-23.

Over 200 hours of pre-production went into the lead up for nationals and 13 cameras were utilized during the tournament to provide fans with the best viewing experience possible.

Brad Smith served as technical director at nationals and during the Canada West regular season he is in the director’s chair.

Smith works alongside play-by-play announcer Tyler Crayston to produce 10-minute pre-game shows for each game and together build a rundown that includes graphics and in-house produced videos that feature both the host Bobcats and visiting teams.

During the near 40-year run, on-air talent has included Jeremy Sawatzky; legendary basketball coach Jerry Hemmings; former Bobcat volleyball star Brendan White; current Winnipeg Wesmen SID David Larkins, Volleyball Manitoba Hall of Famer Kevin Neufeld and Vegas Golden Knights’ broadcast host Daren Millard.

Over the last 10 years, Bobcat volleyball alum Pat Thompson has been a staple on Canada West TV broadcasts and was on the call during the historic gold medal match won by the host Bobcats.

In the early years of the partnership, WCGtv also teamed up with Assiniboine College media production students to give them an opportunity to develop their skills before heading out into the work force.

WCGtv has earned multiple accolades following the 2024-25 season. BU Athletics also honoured the broadcast team with the Bobcat Booster of the Year award back in April.

WCG-TV crew list for U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship

Team Lead/Audio

Vern Riddle

Technical Producer

Brad W. Smith

Director

Brice Perkins

Producer/ISO Director

Cole Davenport

Technical Director

Katrina Spangler

Graphics/Assistant Producer

Kenzie Jordan

Cameras

Kevin Spooner
Daniel Oluwadare
Connor Ramsey
Ryan DeGroot
Jay Oleson
Joshua Kutzan
Shawn Cao
Jeff Perkins

Replay Operators

Matt Dunn
Carson Kearns

Production Assistants

Matt Schroeder
Keira Stephens

Master Control

Travis Eilers
Cullen Shaluck

Administration

Terry Wildeman

Engineering Support

Brad Tesarski
Troy McKenzie

Assiniboine College Advisor

Greg Sherris

(Source: BU Bobcat News)