GCAC Commissioner Barnes Speaks On Launching Media Network, UEN Partnership

Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes' leadership and media partnerships have been the catalyst for the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's new in-house media team and network.

HOUSTON – The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Commissioner, Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, recently celebrated her first year of the eight-member HBCU sports conference.  What's strikingly distinctive about Barnes is how her leadership skills and competitive nature aligns with her athletic background as an athlete, coach, and athletic director.  Her vision to grow the conference via media deals and partnerships was the catalyst Barnes needed for the creation of the GCAC media department and network. 

In year one, Dr. Barnes has partnered with Urban Edge Network (UEN) to broadcast the GCAC's conference games and events on the company's digital platform HBCU+.   Also, GCAC televised its baseball and track and field championships live on the streaming service with sponsorships from black banking institutions.  They recently announced the launch of an in-house media team that will be groundbreaking for the nation's least prominent HBCU sports conference.

The GCAC Media Team was the brainchild of Dani Wright, who is the GCAC Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing.  Wright has been with the organization since October 2022.   Wright will also work as the executive producer with her assistant Alex Williams "recruited and will lead a team of twelve media professionals," Barnes told HBCU Legends. "The team comprises of show hosts, reporters, writers, an engineer, and videographer."

GCAC Commissioner, Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes

DR. BARNES ON THE MEDIA RIGHTS & GROWTH

The deal with UEN has been highly beneficial to GCAC.  "What the Urban Edge Network deal did for us is that they have built a system for us to get a piece of the pie.  We need cash to invest in our facilities, hire the best, and upgrade.  We will do the same things you see in the larger schools with huge media rights."

The member institutions of the GCAC are Tougaloo, Philander Smith, Dillard (LA), Wiley (TX), Rust, Fisk, Oakwood, and SUNO.  Barnes expects the media team to create shows and generate content for the HBCU+ digital streaming platform.  It will help to boost fan interest and revenue for the conference's member schools.

A few GCAC sports programs need Sports Information Directors (SIDs).  Dr. Barnes is confident the media rights deal with UEN will stimulate future hiring.  "Just as larger programs have figured out a way to get corporate and outside dollars to supplement their programs.  I feel like we're in a state where our athletic programs can now do that for our people.  We don't determine what schools do, but we know it's a critical function that has been missing and needs support."

According to the GCAC announcement, "GCAC Media Team features six show hosts, five staff writers, and a show engineer, along with the current staff of Wright; Digital Media and Marketing Assistant Alex D. Williams; videographer Josh Gibson; and five interns (to be announced mid-August).

"As our conference evolves and expands, I'm confident that our media team will continue to do the same, enabling us to better navigate industry trends and the in-depth stories our fans want to hear about," Wright said.

The 2023-2024 GCAC exciting lineup of shows is as follows:

Commissioner's Corner

Monthly show airing Wednesday with GCAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes. The show highlights legislation, membership updates, conference events/updates, and discusses the landscape of HBCUs.

The Fifth Quarter

Covers updates in the GCAC and the upcoming games and events the next week. It is the hub for GCAC activities and offers an in-depth recap of past events and games and preview of conference games and member school events. This weekly show will air Mondays.

On the Court with Crawford

Biweekly show airing on Tuesdays hosted by Fisk University Women's Basketball Head Coach Victoria Crawford. She will discuss coaching, leadership, recruiting, and her role at Fisk.

Around the League

A bi-weekly show airing Friday will interview leaders in our conference - from athletic directors to Presidents and coaches - about their sports, academics, and time at their institution.

Women in the League

A bi-weekly show airing Thursday with women guests from the conference. Coaches, student-athletes, and administrators will be interviewed. During Women's History Month (March), this show will air twice per week.

Rounding Third

After nearly a decade away, in 2022-2023, the GCAC added baseball back to its slate of championship sports. This bi-weekly show will premiere at the beginning of 2024, shine a light on GCAC baseball, and cover behind-the-scenes activity during the season.

The 2023-2024 GCAC Media Team

• Dani Wright, Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing, Showrunner/Executive Producer, Championship Broadcast Director
• Alex D. Williams, Digital Media & Marketing Assistant, Assistant Producer, and Championship Broadcast Manager
• Josh Gibson, Videographer

Staff Writers

• Jordyn Foyer
• Kerry French
• Doug Hazard
• Jarrett Hoffman
• Calvin Sykes

Broadcast Engineer

• Alaya Knight

Show Hosts

Commissioner's Corner

• Thai Floyd

The Fifth Quarter

• LaShanda Love
• Alex D. Williams

On the Court with Crawford

• Victoria Crawford

Around the League

• Diamond Forrest and GCAC Intern

Women in the League

• Shay Davis and GCAC Intern

Rounding Third

• Two GCAC Interns

The GCAC Network's shows will broadcast on HBCU+. Fans can download HBCU+ for free on Android or Apple devices or through their streaming service's slate of apps. Also, visit watchimpact.com and view their service provider's channel guide.

"I feel great. We are moving extremely fast, and that concerns me a little bit. But I think that's momentum, and that's a good thing. I'm trying to navigate anticipating what happens next," Commissioner Barnes concluded.