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Michigan Athletics Set To Launch Virtual Reality Content

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan Athletic Department will be breaking new ground this fall as the first collegiate athletic department to utilize Virtual Reality [VR] for recruiting and fan engagement. VR is beginning to gain traction in college and professional sports and Michigan becomes the first school to embrace this emerging technology in order to provide behind the scenes content that immerses a user in its facilities and game day environment.

 

The football program will pilot the project with a series of virtual reality experiences to be filmed this fall. A "Day in the Life" of a Michigan football player will be filmed during fall camp and "The Gameday Experience" will capture 360-degree virtual reality footage at the Oregon State game.

 

There are twenty-five (25) 360 degree photographs of athletic and campus facilities and venues and video shorts that are part of this virtual reality content experience. Other opportunities involving Michigan Athletics and Michigan Football will occur during the 2015-16 academic year.

 

Virtual Reality is seen as the next big thing in technology, media and digital communication. The technology allows the end user to be "immersed" into any environment, providing the opportunity to see, experience and understand a piece of content as if you are right there.

 

Michigan will use virtual reality as a recruiting tool and fan engagement opportunity. VR will allow the institution to transport recruits and fans into an experience without ever stepping foot on the campus. An individual can watch a 360 degree virtual reality video or still photo from their home and fully experience what it feels and sounds like to be there.

 

Michigan has partnered with HeadcaseVR to tell premium stories about the football program. Headcase is an industry leader that creates and produces virtual reality experiences for a host of entertainment and sports brands.

 

Michigan's virtual reality app will launch on the iTunes App Store and through Google Play this Friday, Aug. 7. Individuals can search "Michigan VR" to download and engage with the virtual reality experience.

 

In addition, the football program will be featured for their involvement with this technology in the Sports Illustrated College Football Preview Issue set to hit newsstands later this week.

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