Two Sport Management alumni from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Class of 1996 have won a total of five Emmy Awards, breaking into the realm of stardom beyond the usual accomplishments seen within collegiate athletics.

Gary Quinn, current director of business development at NBC Sports, recently received an Emmy Award for his work on the Olympics. The Emmy was for “Outstanding New Approaches,” a new category created for online video coverage.

“My role at the Olympics is separate from my everyday job as director of business development for NBC Sports,” Quinn said. “The Olympic role began back in 1996 when my boss constructed a small team that worked on NBCOlmypics.com.

“I’ve been truly blessed with the opportunity to work on the Olympics since 1996 as a member of our NBC Olympics.com team. NBC’s web coverage has come such a long way since the Games in Atlanta, especially with the continued evolution of technology and increased online video consumption,” he said.

“It’s very rewarding that the ‘Outstanding New Approaches’ category has now been established to recognize the importance of online video coverage. To be a small part of such a brilliant team of talented, passionate people and to win an Emmy is something for which I am truly humbled and most thankful,” he said.

“I started at NBC Sports as an intern in ‘95 and was fortunate enough to be hired that same year. There’s not a day that has gone by in the last 14 years when I don’t thank God for the opportunity that’s been afforded me,” he said. “If anyone had told me 15 years ago I would have this job and experienced so many wonderful things, I would’ve hugged them. None of this would’ve been possible without Dr. (Dallas) Branch and the WVU Sports Management Program.”

Joe Martin has now won four Emmys as a freelance producer for the PGA, NBC Sports, and the Olympic Games. Martin says that the awards represent a joint effort between many others, and he credits his experience with the WVU SM program.

Martin has received two Emmys this year, one for 2008 Outstanding Live Sports Special- United States Open Golf, for which he credits Tiger Woods’ outstanding performance. He received the other award for 2008 Live Event Turnaround-The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. He gives thanks to Michael Phelps and his record-breaking performances.

Martin also received an award for this same Event Turnaround category in 2004 after Athens Games.

Martin received his first award for 1997 Outstanding Edited Sports Special-Ironman Triathlon World Championship. He acknowledges “incredible producers” Al Symanzski and Ken Murrah who did the show, allowing him to work on it as a lowly production assistant.

-WVU-

kc 11/23/09

Contact: Kimberly Cameon, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
(304) 293-0827