Missouri State University

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Bear Bulletin

A blog for Missouri State University alumni.

  • Alumni Association
  • Resources
  • Update Info
  • Volunteer
  • Homecoming
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Alumni Spotlight / Alum works third Olympics
Woodall at Rio sunset

Alum works third Olympics

During the most recent Olympics, Brad Woodall worked as a technical director for gymnastic events and the closing ceremony.

September 2, 2016 by Mary Chiles

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

By the time Brad Woodall entered Missouri State, he knew what he wanted. His dad worked at KY3 for more than 30 years, so Brad learned technical media skills at a young age. “I grew up in that environment and knew early on that’s what I was going to do,” Brad said.

He studied mass media and found his courses in organizational communications and marketing especially helpful for collaborating on deadline. “You could be meeting with a group of people you could be working with for the first time, with the common goal of getting the show on the air,” Woodall said.

As a student he began working as a technical director for Mediacom. He covered Bears men’s and women’s basketball games for six years. He graduated in 2007 and continued securing other freelance jobs.

Working at the Olympics

Now he primarily works for NBC, CBS and FOX and has worked at the past three Olympic Games: in London, Sochi and Rio. During the most recent Olympics, Woodall worked as a technical director for gymnastic events and the closing ceremony.

Woodall at Olympic Rings in Rio

“In laymen’s terms, anytime you’re watching a live sporting event and something changes on the screen, I’m doing that.” He follows directions from the director and producer, who’ve decided how to present events based on storylines. He implements the stories on the technical side.

Sometimes the story changes, like during the men’s gymnastics floor exercises in Rio. “Two Brazilians medaled — and they didn’t ever expect to be medaling. A person falls and all of a sudden you have two hometown Brazilians getting second and third.”

Woodall enjoyed his time working in Rio, even though the pressure was high for such widely-viewed events. “When producing a high profile event such as the Olympics, we make every effort to make sure we have told the story accurately with no production mistakes.”

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight Tagged With: mass media, mjf, Olympics, Rio

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

About

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

MarooNation Events

  • MarooNation Events

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

Connect with Alumni Association

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Make your Missouri statementMake your Missouri statement
  • Last Modified: May 15, 2017
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
  • © 2013 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information
 

Loading Comments...