Pictured L - R: Technical Producer Brad Smith and Team Lead Vern Riddle are joined alongside Bobcat head coach Grant Wilson. (Photo submitted).
General Tyler Crayston
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
Log in with Google