Honoring Legacy: Mike Bilbow, Esteemed Former UGA Administrator, to Receive the 2025 SVG College Pioneer Award

The Sports Video Group (SVG) recently shared exciting news: the late Mike Bilbow, former Assistant Athletic Director of Digital and Production at the University of Georgia, will receive the 2025 SVG College Pioneer Award. This honor recognizes individuals who have transformed video production and technology at college levels. Bilbow’s contributions will be celebrated during the SVG College Summit at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta on May 28-29.

Bilbow, who passed away last month after bravely fighting cancer, was a trailblazer in the sports video community. Since the 1990s, he crafted engaging fan experiences, both in stadiums and through online platforms. His innovative work at Georgia included overseeing video productions for game days and sharing student-athlete stories across various digital channels.

This was not his first role at UGA. He had previously helped establish the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, where he directed content and guest experiences for the award-winning museum. From 2009 to 2014, Bilbow also served as Executive Director of New Media for IMG College, where he and his team produced the first content for Georgia’s athletic department. A proud Oklahoma State University graduate, Bilbow started his career in college video at the University of Tulsa.

Brandon Costa, SVG’s Director of SVG College, expressed the group’s gratitude: “Mike meant a lot to us, and we are humbled to celebrate his legacy with this award. He was a foundational supporter of our efforts from the beginning.”

Bilbow is remembered fondly and is survived by his wife, Molly, their sons, Jackson and Connor, and his father, Jack. His legacy continues to inspire many in the sports and video production community.

The SVG College Pioneer Award has recognized many influential figures over the years, including:

• 2023: Shot Kleen, University of Nebraska
• 2021-22: Imry Halevi, Harvard University, Northeastern University
• 2019: Tom Odjakjian, American Athletic Conference, Big East Conference, ESPN
• 2018: Rick Bagby, Clemson University
• 2017: Chris Taylor, Ball State University

As the world of sports video continues to evolve, Bilbow’s contributions remain a foundation upon which future innovations will be built. His impact is felt not just in Georgia but across the industry, reminding us of the power of storytelling in sports.

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