A VR recruiting experience? That’s what FusionSports, a digital marketing agency that creates virtual reality experiences for sports brands, and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football program are going to try and use to lure recruits to Minneapolis.
FusionSports worked with the Minnesota coaching staff to capture behind-the-scenes VR footage of practices, workouts, game day, campus experiences, and more from their home opener against Oregon State in September (perfect warm weather). The goal is to give a wider swath of recruits, some who may not pick UM as an initial visit, or some who may be on the fence from the coaching staff side, the ability to immerse themselves in all that Minnesota has to offer its student athletes, including many aspects of a game day experience. It gives Minnesota a chance as a first adopter to try and get an edge in an immersive experience with the latest technology.
It is a smart move, especially to be in “first.” Of course what is missing from the experience is the very personal touch that is needed to really be on the field with the Gophers. Point of View cameras that take a QB recruit into the huddle, with players calling HIS name, vs. a general video. A defensive back seeing what it is like to be on the field during a game, and to look and feel really far inside the traditional of all that goes on. It is not that far away, but it isn’t there yet.
For FusionSports, the move gets them in a niche, especially if it works to lure some bigger names to Minnesota, in a space that is still evolving and can be hard to manage. The VR experience still does make people a bit ill of they are not prepared, and the last thing the Gophers want his a prime recruit feeling a bit queasy as he takes the virtual game day tour. Is there risk? Little? Is the reward, sure there is. Good effort to spread the word by Minnesota; as a first step will be intrigued to see where this tool evolves down the line.
