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SCSU Athletics & Recreation Media Credential Policy

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS & RECREATION
All-Venue Media & Photography Policy
Effective: 2026-27 Academic Year
Venues: Jess Dow Field | Pelz Gymnasium | Moore Field House | Bruce Hutchinson Natatorium | Pelz Softball Field | The Ballpark at SCSU
 
1. TWO-TIER CREDENTIAL SYSTEM
TIER A: Credentialed Media from a Media Outlet = FIELD / COURT / DECK ACCESS
  • Who qualifies: Recognized newspapers, wire services, TV/radio networks, established online outlets on regular beat, NE10, NCAA. Must be on direct assignment from outlet.
  • Access granted: Field, sideline, baseline photo boxes (Pelz), dugout photo wells (baseball/softball), limited pool deck, press box / scorer's table where applicable.
  • Issued: Field-level credential. Must be always worn on competition surface and returned post-game to Will Call.
  • Conduct: Stay outside team boxes/bench/dugout, behind restraining lines and barriers. Monopods only on sideline/courtside. No live streaming of live game action per NCAA. No flash in Pelz Gymnasium, Moore Field House, Natatorium. 
TIER B: Freelance Photographers/Videographers = STANDS ONLY
  • All freelance photographers/videographers will be credentialed as Stands Only. This credential allows entry WITHOUT purchasing a ticket, but does NOT grant field/court/deck access.
  • Credential: "Stands Only - No Field/Court/Deck Access" - this IS your ticket, valid for public seating bowl only.
  • No access to field, court, sideline, bench, dugout, bullpen, pool deck, infield, press box, scorer's table. No vest issued.
  • Must remain in public seating / designated spectator areas. No equipment blocking aisles or fan views.
  • No tripods or lighting in stands. No courtside/poolside equipment in Pelz Gym or Natatorium.
  • No commercial sale/publication without written consent from Athletic Communications unless on assignment. 
2. PHOTOGRAPHERS / VIDEOGRAPHERS HIRED DIRECTLY BY STUDENT-ATHLETES
Photographers/videographers hired directly by student-athletes (including NIL content creators, personal branding photographers, family-hired) are permitted to shoot FROM THE STANDS ONLY. No field/court/deck access will be granted. This applies to in-game, pre-game and post-game. 
  • Student-athletes do NOT have authority to grant field, sideline, court, deck, or press box access.
  • Student-athlete-hired creators will be issued a Stands Only credential (free entry, no ticket purchase needed), same as freelance Tier B, but with NO upgrade path to field access.
  • Must remain in public seating. No access to competition surface, team areas, dugouts, pool deck, or press box.
  • Must disclose at time of credential request which student-athlete hired them. Failure to disclose = revocation.
  • NIL/commercial use of images/video from SCSU events requires prior written approval from SCSU Athletics and SCSU NIL Compliance per SCSU NIL policy.
  • Disruptive behavior or attempting field access = removal and loss of future credential privileges. 
3. CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
  • All requests are to be made to: SCSU Associate Director of Athletics for Athletic Communications Ken Sweeten, sweetenk1@southernct.edu.
  • Football (Jess Dow Field) deadline: 12:00 PM Wednesday of game week. No credentials within 24 hours of kickoff.
  • All other venues deadline: 12:00 PM day before event. No credentials within 6 hours of start.
  • Outlet Media (Tier A): Include outlet, assignment, full name, email, cell, credential type requested.
  • Freelance (Tier B - Stands Only): Subject line: FREELANCE - STANDS ONLY REQUEST - [VENUE]. Include name, portfolio/website, venue/event, purpose, email, cell.
  • Student-Athlete-Hired: Subject line: SA-HIRED - STANDS ONLY REQUEST - [VENUE] - [Student-Athlete Name]. Include creator name, athlete name, relationship, portfolio, venue, purpose, email, cell. 
4. CREDENTIAL PICK-UP PROTOCOL BY VENUE
  • Jess Dow Field (Football, Lacrosse, Track): Media Will Call at South Entrance (Main Gate/Press Box) - Opens 90 min prior, closes 15 min after kickoff/start.
  • Pelz Gymnasium (Volleyball, Basketball): Media Will Call at Main Lobby Entrance - Opens 60 min prior, closes 15 min after start.
  • Moore Field House (Indoor Track): Media Will Call at Front Entrance - Opens 60 min prior, closes 30 min after first event.
  • Bruce Hutchinson Natatorium (Swimming & Diving): Media Will Call at Natatorium Entrance (inside Moore) - Opens 60 min prior, closes 15 min after first event.
  • Pelz Softball Field: Media Will Call at Main Entrance/Press Box - Opens 60 min prior, closes 15 min after first pitch.
  • The Ballpark at SCSU (Baseball): Media Will Call at Main Entrance/Press Box - Opens 60 min prior, closes 15 min after first pitch.
  • Process (All Venues): Valid photo ID required, must match approved list, non-transferable, must sign log. Stands Only credential IS your ticket. Vests/bibs must be returned post-game. No credentials after window closes. 
5. ENFORCEMENT
  • Enforced by Game Operations, Athletic Communications, and Public Safety. Misrepresentation of affiliation will result in removal and ban from future credentialing.