The SAC and SkyCoach Partnered to Utilize Replay Review at Soccer and Volleyball Championships

Story courtesty of Julie Boudwin / myskycoach.com

The South Atlantic Conference broke new ground this season by utilizing SkyCoach replay for officials review during their soccer and volleyball championships, enhancing accuracy and ensuring fair play in these high-stakes competitions. This initiative, spearheaded by SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz, who boasts nearly 35 years of experience across conference offices, institutions, and national organizations, marks a pivotal moment in ensuring fairness and accuracy during high-stakes competitions.

"The goal with this was to really just enhance our championship experience for the teams participating," Britz explained. "We're not trying to delay or take over the game with constant video reviews but just having it available in case you need it."

In 2024, SAC introduced video replay using SkyCoach for soccer and volleyball championships, following its recent implementation in football and basketball regular seasons. Football and basketball SAC teams use two angles during the season, but the conference used three camera angles for their volleyball and soccer championships. According to Britz, the decision to partner with SkyCoach came after a thorough vetting process. The platform's affordability, reliability, and proven track record in other Division II leagues were key factors.

"We were made familiar with SkyCoach probably three years ago," Britz shared. "We liked the SkyCoach product and price, and the fact that other leagues used it helped too because we were able to lean on them."

Using the NCAA rulebook for video review, SAC prioritized improving officiating accuracy without disrupting the flow of games. This strategy proved effective, with Britz noting, "The SkyCoach system considerably enhanced our soccer and volleyball championships. We used it in almost every game/match, and the officials and participants felt it was a great benefit."

The integration of replay technology ensured fair outcomes across SAC's tournaments. The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Soccer Team and Limestone Saints Men's Soccer Team clinched conference tournament titles, respectively, while the Wingate Volleyball Team emerged victorious in their championship. These landmark achievements were complemented by enhanced officiating capabilities provided by SkyCoach.

SkyCoach's impact on SAC football games has been particularly noteworthy. The technology's ability to immediately review targeting calls has improved officiating accuracy and player safety.

"For football, the big thing for us was the ability to review targeting calls right away," Britz explained. "Our officials have said they're more willing to call targeting because they know it's going to be reviewed right away.

"Our process before SkyCoach, if it happened in the first half then that player was out the rest of the half and it would get reviewed at halftime, and either uphold it or reverse it. If it was reversed, that player could return in the second half. Being able to review right away is the key factor for football."

He added: "We have to be realistic in terms of fumble or no fumble, inbounds or not, breaking the plane of the goal, those sort of things. Are we really going to have tight enough shots, probably not. But for us, the main thing for football is targeting."

Regarding officials replay for basketball, "We didn't want to have a buzzer beater or game impact calls, or God forbid we have a fight or review a flagrant 1 vs. flagrant 2. We wanted to be able to provide the officials with the best tools available to make the right calls. Those are significant and game-impacting situations," Britz explained. "I'm sure at some point in the near future we'll get into looking at it for soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball. We felt like we'd start with this and see how it goes."

As SAC continues to navigate the evolving landscape of sports technology, Britz remains optimistic about SkyCoach's role in enhancing championship experiences.

"It's a step in the right direction," Britz affirmed. "Has it been a positive addition? 100 percent."

SkyCoach's reliability, affordability, and ease of use make it an invaluable tool for teams and conferences looking to enhance their regular season and postseason events. By empowering officials with the tools they need to make accurate calls, SkyCoach not only improves the quality of play but also elevates the overall experience for athletes and fans alike. For conferences like SAC, it's a game-changer that aligns perfectly with their commitment to fairness and excellence.

Conferences considering SkyCoach can benefit from SAC's success story, demonstrating how the platform can seamlessly integrate into a variety of sports and venues. From targeting reviews in football to critical in-out calls in volleyball, SkyCoach ensures that every play and decision is backed by our technology. With the ability to scale across sports and accommodate the unique needs of each program, SkyCoach stands out as the premier choice for video replay in collegiate athletics.