The Bowie State University Athletic Media Relations Office is responsible for all media relations concerning Bulldogs’ Athletic Department and its 13 intercollegiate athletic teams.
Bowie State University Athletic Media Relation Contact:
Dr. Jolisa Williams (Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations)
(301) 860-3574 (O)
(301) 789-9198 (C)
(301) 860-3585 (F)
jkwilliams@bowiestate.edu
GENERAL INFORMATION
Working press and photographer credentials for Bowie State's home events will be handled by Bowie State Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Dr. Jolisa Williams. All requests should be made as early as possible and be limited to working press only. Requests made within 24 hours of the event may not be considered. Credentials can be picked up at the ticket booth located in front of the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex the day of the event or in advance from the Media Relations Office located in Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex, room 124A.
CLEAR POLICY FOR ATHLETIC EVENTS
A clear bag policy will be instituted at all Bowie State Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball games. Policy details are included below:
BAG POLICY:
• Fans will only be able to carry the following style and size bag into the stadium all of which are subject to search.
• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch bags, measuring 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap
• All other bags will not be permitted. A list of prohibited bags includes but is not limited to: purses, backpacks, drawstring bags that are not clear, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases, and diaper bags. Guests are encouraged to return unauthorized items to their vehicles. Bowie State University cannot safeguard items that are not permitted into the stadium.
WEBSITES & NEW MEDIA
Web-based media from sites affiliated with established, nationally or regionally recognized news-gathering organizations are eligible for media credentials. Online media with an emphasis on the recruitment of potential student-athletes (that meet the above qualification) can request one (1) credential for the purpose of writing a game/event recap. Credentials will not be granted to any online agency operating sites that are in any way affiliated with gambling. Nor will credentials be granted to “fan-submitted” or un-edited sites that are not affiliated with an established news-gathering organization and/or sites whose sole entity is fan-generated message boards that allow the posting of anonymous comments.
CREDENTIALS FOR FOOTBALL
Please contact
Dr. Jolisa Williams via email no later than
end of business Thursday on the week before the game for football games ONLY. Your name will be added to that game’s authorized personnel list. All individuals may be subject to show identification, and any person not on the list will NOT be granted entrance. If you are not sure about your in-person status, it is safer to email the name in advance just in case – better to be safe than sorry. There is absolutely
NO media, no photographers or videographer's permitted inside the team's box at the Bulldog Stadium during the game! If seen in the player's box, locker rooms during contest and after, you will be removed from the stadium.
CREDENTIALS FOR MEN'S & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
For coverage of men's and women's basketball, requests need to be made at least 48-hours in advance of the event. Your name will be added to that game’s authorized personnel list. All individuals may be subject to show identification, and any person not on the list will NOT be granted entrance. If you are not sure about your in-person status, it is safer to email the name in advance just in case – better to be safe than sorry.
All media guests will receive a credential that is to be returned to Dr. Jolisa Williams or a Bowie State Athletic staff member at the scorers table at the conclusion of each home contest. There is NO media, photographers or videographer's allowed in the men's and women's basketball locker rooms or inside the huddles during games.
CREDENTIALS FOR SOFTBALL
Request to cover softball games should be made 48-hours in advance of the event.
There is NO media allowed inside the players dugout at any time during the game. For interview with the student-athletes or coach, please request via Asst. AD for Media Relations via email or in-person in advance.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF CREDENTIALS
Media credentials will be issued to working press only. Media credentials are not transferable and use by anyone other than members of the working press is unauthorized. Media credentials used in an unauthorized manner will be revoked immediately. News organizations allowing unauthorized individuals to use credentials will have their credentials revoked for the remainder of the year. All media credentials remain the property of the Bowie State Athletic Department and must be returned upon request.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bowie State follows NCAA and the CIAA rules regarding media representatives photographing games. Only properly credentialed photographers will be allowed in the designated photo areas of A.C. Jordan Arena, Bulldog Stadium, and other Bowie State athletic facilities as specified by the NCAA and the CIAA.
For home basketball games, photographers and videographer's are only allowed to shoot on the baseline (away bench side) ONLY.
Photo credentials are subject to revocation by the Bowie State Athletic Media Relations Office at any time.
PRACTICE COVERAGE
Request to cover practices for all 13 varsity sport teams at Bowie State
MUST be approved by the Office of Media Relations within a 24-hour notice. If seen at the practice facility without proper consent, you will be escorted off the premises by campus police.
POST-EVENT INTERVIEWS
Bowie State University is committed to a policy of equal access for both male and female reporters and photographers. The Bowie State locker room is closed to the media. After the mandatory cooling off period, selected student-athletes and/or coach(es) will be made available for interviews in a predetermined location.
Media are asked to submit a list of student-athletes interview requests to Dr. Jolisa Williams prior to the end of the event. The visiting SID will select the student-athletes to be interviewed following the event. If no visiting SID is available, media are asked to submit their request to Dr. Jolisa Williams.
ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS
Bowie State student-athletes and coaches will be available for in-person or phone interviews before or following practice. Player interviews must be coordinated through Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Dr. Jolisa Williams at least 24 hours in advance. If a telephone interview is desired, the student-athletes will be provided with the number and will telephone the interviewer at a time that does not interfere with the student-athlete’s academic schedule. Student-athlete’s personal numbers will not be given out under any circumstances.
ACCESS, ISSUANCE, AND REVOCATION
Bowie State reserves the right to deny or revoke credentials at any time in its sole discretion. Appeals of revocation are handled as provided for in this policy. No guarantee of availability of credentials, space, viewing, telephone, or internet access is made. Scheduled events may be canceled or rescheduled in Bowie State's sole discretion.
RISKS
By applying for credentials outlets and their representatives acknowledge and assume the risks that comes from viewing sporting events including being struck or injured by participants, and flying objects such as balls, bats, and other sports equipment.
BOWIE STATE ON THE WEB
Bowie State maintains a comprehensive athletic department website covering all 13 varsity sports. BSUBulldogs.com features all the information Bowie State fans need, including stats, news releases, notes, features and more. Find full coach and player biographies, as well as event previews and recaps at BSUBulldogs.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
In addition to following the most up-to-date information on Bowie State's Official Athletics Site, www.bsbulldogs.com, you can also track Bowie State Athletics by following the Official Twitter and Instagram Accounts of Bowie State Athletics, @BSU_Sports_Info, @bowiestatebulldogs on Instagram and like us on Facebook at BSUBulldogs.
