See how UNK football bypassed student filmers by switching to a permanent, end zone camera that pays for itself.
For Nate Baker, the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK), the quest for perfect film used to be a logistical nightmare.
Between film towers, unreliable scissor lifts and a perpetually short-staffed crew of student filmers, the “eye in the sky” was often more of a headache than a help.
That changed when the UNK football program implemented the Focus Point LR end zone camera. Having consistent access to a permanent, automated end zone camera system transformed the Lopers’ coaching workflows and set them up for success in the lead-up to games on Saturdays in the fall.
Solving the Tower Problem
Every program has a pain point. For UNK, it was a loss of infrastructure.
“We got a new scoreboard, and they took the tower away,” Baker explained.
Suddenly, the traditional vantage point for the end zone shot was gone. Even with a non-Hudl replacement camera, they still struggled relying on student filmers. “I only have two filmers…sometimes it’s more like one and a half. Now with Focus Point LR and Focus Outdoor, I can get two end zone shots and film from every side without needing a person filming. I start it, and it records.”
Practice: Where the Hidden Value Lies
Many college and high school football programs think of end zone cameras primarily for game day. But Coach Baker found the biggest impact during the day-to-day grind of a long season.
“We use it over seven hours per week,” he explained. “We film individual drills, 7v7, our whole practice…it’s been a huge deal for practice and an important addition for us.”
Having access to reliable end zone film has widespread ramifications for top-tier programs. As Baker explained, that viewpoint allows position coaches to see everything they might need to make adjustments and give meaningful feedback:
- The O-Line: Baker can see the exact fit of combination blocks and technical footwork.
- Wide Receivers: Coaches can analyze spacing and route depth in real-time.
- The Sideline: Because the camera captures "every single second," coaches can even monitor player behavior and readiness on the sidelines.
The ROI Conversation
In the world of high school and college athletics, return on investment is always a critical part of the conversation. For Coach Baker, the math on Focus Point LR became the easiest argument he’s ever had to make to his boss.
“I told Coach Held we’d need to pay for a scissor lift and a person three times the amount of money we would for this camera,” Baker said.
When you factor in the recurring rental fees for equipment and the constant scramble to find volunteer filmers, the traditional way of filming football games and practices quickly increases a coaching staff’s already heavy mental load.
By switching to a permanent, automated camera solution, UNK upgraded its film quality and saved valuable dollars in the process.
“The investment is minimal, and the return is very high,” Baker said. “...You’re not going to find anything else at that quality at that price point. To pay for the camera, we’ve already gotten our money’s worth from it.”
