For the first time in school history, FAU baseball became somewhat of a fixture on ESPN.
National attention
FAU’s baseball team was introduced to the nation after its antics during a rain delay vs. Western Kentucky were captured on a video that was shown repeatedly on ESPN and other national outlets.
Originally published on
7/1/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
When the rain started to fall before FAU’s key baseball game vs. Western Kentucky on April 16, no one knew the result would be the Owls becoming a viral internet sensation.
As the rain delay stretched on, the Hilltoppers and the Owls began performing elaborate skits that were captured by FAUOwlAccess.com’s Chuck King.
A few days later, through the magic of the internet, the video was being spread across the country and attracted the attention of ESPN, which showed snippets of the video on SportsScenter and its popular show, Pardon the Interruption. CNN and Fox News also showed clips bringing unprecedented media attention to FAU, thrusting Rain Delay Theatre to No. 7 slot in our Stories of the Year countdown.
What we wrote
Why it’s important
FAU received positive attention on the national stage by ESPN, CNN, NBC Nightly News, Fox News and other national channels that you can’t buy.
What made the video special besides the original and creative skits by the Owls and the Hilltoppers was that it showed what college baseball was all about and was funny enough that even non-sports fans could enjoy it.
The video has been seen more than 1 million times on the internet.
The exposure didn't stop there. FAUOwlAccess.com's video of the baseball team celebrating its Sun Belt Conference championship by diving into the pool in full uniform was also shown on ESPN’s SportsCenter a month later.
This team had fun while winning - and the whole nation knows it.
Watch the videos
Rain Delay Theatre
Owls in the Pool
Diving Owls on ESPN's Top 10