Man Behind The Glory

The Glory goes to the Grizzlies.

If you have ever watched an event on the Office of Athletics’ Grizzly Digital Network (GDN) there’s a good chance you’ve heard Matt Mahony’s signature catchphrase signifying another victory for Georgia Gwinnett College’s athletic teams.

That would include 11 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tennis national championships; several Association of Independent Institutions titles; numerous postseason victories for baseball, softball and soccer; and more than 1,000 regular season victories.

Award-Winning Nike Promotional Video:

Mahony has been the voice of GGC athletics since 2013 as its video and broadcast coordinator – going from a single-camera operation with simple graphics to professional-quality high-definition technology broadcasts that’s become the envy of athletic programs throughout the country.

Today, GDN has the ability to broadcast athletic events, with instant replays and post-game interviews, from multiple home field sites; can produce award-winning special features for social media and GGC’s athletics website; and provides excellent educational opportunities for students majoring in the college’s popular Cinema and Media Arts Production (CMAP) academic program. 

“The students’ eagerness to learn and the CMAP major has been a huge part of our success,” Mahony admits.

The quality broadcasts has brought attention to GGC through highlights being mentioned nationally on ESPN and the NAIA’s website, and this fall’s new weekly “The Grizzly Growl” online show, in a game show-type format, that provided viewers with a fun-filled inside look at several aspects of the athletic program.

And, Mahony’s love of the Grizzlies has been on full display in front and behind the cameras.

Athletics colleague Dale Long, director of sports information, adds “Matt has worked hard to become the familiar and trusted voice of GGC Athletics. Matt’s knowledge of our athletics history and his tremendous storytelling has helped spread the great news about our teams and student-athletes throughout the world.”

Mahony became interested in sports media production during his senior year as a student-athlete at Union College (Kentucky). He fondly recalls the first time the camera’s red light went on and he provided play-by-play of a live sporting event. 

That career journey has led the Fort White, Florida, native to broadcast such events as the NAIA men’s soccer national championship in Montgomery, Alabama, and NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia. He also has brought GDN cameras to follow the Grizzlies competing in three Avista NAIA Baseball World Series, three men’s soccer national championship final sites, two NAIA Softball World Series, and the 2018 women’s soccer national championship final site.

Award-Winning ‘One-Six’ Documentary:

Along the way Mahony has established a quality production team that provides a broadcast matching the championship level of play being exhibited by the GGC athletic teams being covered. 

“We want people to know that when they tune into the Grizzly Digital Network they’re getting a product that’s second to none, that’s consistent and reliable, and that provides a clear picture of the game action, our people and our facilities,” stated Wilson.

A “30 for 30” themed documentary about the 2016 baseball team earned Mahony and GDN the nation’s best feature award in the College Sports Information Directors of America’s publications and digital productions contest. 

Then a “One-Six” documentary that chronicled the record-breaking 2018 women's soccer team earned the broadcast team first-place regional honors in CoSIDA’s 2019 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest.

“Matt put together that amazing documentary and now he has developed ‘The Grizzly Growl Show.’ He’s always thinking of new ideas,” states Giuliano. “The GDN broadcasts of our matches are important to our recruiting efforts. When I watch one of our broadcasts it looks like I’m watching a match on ESPN. The production is that good.”

Head Men’s Soccer Coach Steve DeCou adds, “You can’t count the value that Matt and his crew bring to everything they do for GGC Athletics. Our matches are broadcast in high definition and our videos highlight our high-class facilities and people. This allows people from the outside to easily access our college, department and individual programs. That really helps with recruiting.”

So, how did Malony develop his signature catchphrase?

Now the call proudly signifies every GGC victory.

“I’m not a big catchphrase or nickname guy, but it has been a part of me since the very first broadcast,” Mahony says. “Being a part of a new program, I didn’t know how much the Grizzlies were going to win. I never imagined using it this much but am glad to do it.”

Wilson states, “It has become a nice tagline for him and GGC Athletics. Anytime you hear it you know we have been victorious.”

And, Georgia Gwinnett College fans can’t wait until the next time that Mahony brings Glory to the Grizzlies.