A Community Donation is Elevating WWU Rugby's Livestream Operation

BELLINGHAM, WA — Western Washington University Men's Rugby has long been recognized for competing at the highest levels of collegiate rugby, but the work that happens behind the camera is just as important as the work happening on the pitch. Thanks to a generous donation from supporters at Cleverpath IT, the program's media and broadcast operation just took a significant step forward.

The Donation and What It Means

The gift from Cleverpath IT provided the WWU Men's Rugby program with a second monitor, a piece of equipment that may sound straightforward but has meaningful implications for how the team produces and broadcasts its content. WWU Rugby has been steadily investing in the quality of its livestream output, an effort that reflects the program's growing national profile and its commitment to connecting fans, families, recruits, and alumni to every match, no matter where they are in the world.

The Challenge It Solves

Earlier this season, the program upgraded its broadcast setup to support a four-camera operation, a significant leap in production capability. However, that upgrade came with a practical limitation: without a second monitor, the production team had no way to view all four camera feeds simultaneously. Instead, they were forced to switch between camera views one at a time, essentially guessing whether each camera was capturing the right moment before cutting to it live.

For a fast-paced, high-tempo sport like rugby, that kind of blind switching is a real obstacle to quality broadcast production. Critical plays, tries, and moments of individual brilliance can be missed in the time it takes to toggle between feeds.

The addition of the second monitor solves that problem entirely. The production team can now see all four camera feeds at once, selecting the best angle in real time and ensuring that viewers never miss a moment of the action.

George Jelley Leading the Charge

Prop George Jelley of Mountain View, CA, a member of the current WWU Men's Rugby roster, has been the driving force behind the program's media upgrade efforts this season. Jelley has taken a hands-on leadership role in developing the team's broadcast capabilities, dedicating significant time and energy to improving the quality and consistency of WWU Rugby's livestream output.

His initiative reflects exactly the kind of student-athlete leadership that defines the WWU Rugby program. On the field, Jelley is a key contributor to one of the top D1AA squads in the country. Off it, he is helping build the infrastructure that tells the team's story to a national and international audience.

Why It Matters Beyond the Screen

WWU Rugby's matches are streamed to fans across the country and around the world, connecting a global community of supporters, recruits, alumni, and rugby enthusiasts to a program based in Bellingham, Washington. The quality of that broadcast is, in many ways, a direct reflection of the program's identity.

The Western Rugby Alumni (WRA) and the broader community of donors and supporters who invest in WWU Rugby are not just funding a team. They are funding a program that develops leaders, builds national visibility for Western Washington University, and creates content that reaches audiences in Washington, California, Oregon, Hawaii, South Africa, Canada, and beyond.

The donation from Cleverpath IT is a perfect example of how targeted, community-driven support translates directly into tangible program improvement. No contribution is too small, and no upgrade is too technical to matter.

Thank You

The WWU Men's Rugby program extends its sincere gratitude to Cleverpath IT for their generosity and their belief in the program's mission. Their support is helping the Vikings not just compete at the highest level, but be seen doing it.

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