The Late Mike Bilbow, Former University of Georgia Administrator, Named 2025 Recipient of SVG College Pioneer Award

The Late Mike Bilbow, Former University of Georgia Administrator, Named 2025 Recipient of SVG College Pioneer Award Bilbow to be celebrated at SVG College Summit in Atlanta on May 28-29 By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 2:02 pm

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The Sports Video Group is honored to announce that the late Mike Bilbow, former Assistant Athletic Director of Digital and Production for the University of Georgia Athletics, has been named the recipient of the 2025 SVG College Pioneer Award.

The SVG College Pioneer Award celebrates those who have innovated in the fields of video production and technology at the university level and have advanced the industry at large. Bilbow will be celebrated at the SVG College Summit at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta on May 28-29.

Bilbow, who passed away last month following a battle with cancer, was an industry pioneer, a storyteller, an innovative creator of fan experiences in the stadium or arena, and a leader across the business. He's been a fixture of the college video community since the 1990s.

While at Georgia, he oversaw video board production, television production, social media and web content for the Bulldogs. His work enhanced the game-day experience at Sanford Stadium and brought student-athlete stories to life across digital platforms.

This was his second stint at UGA. Prior, he was a part of the leadership team that opened the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. As VP of Content and Production there, he was responsible for all exhibits, interactives, Information Technology, and Guest Experience for the award-winning museum. From 2009-14, Bilbow was the Executive Director of New Media for IMG College, leading the team that first began creating content for Georgia's Athletic Department. A 1991 graduate of Oklahoma State University, he got his start in college video at the University of Tulsa.

Mike meant a lot to us at SVG and we are humbled to be able to celebrate his great legacy with this SVG College Pioneer Award, says Brandon Costa, Sports Video Group's Director of SVG College. Mike was an early supporter of ours and when our collegiate efforts began with the first SVG College Sports Video Summit back in 2009, he was a supporter that brought immediate credibility to the growing community.

Bilbow is survived by his wife Molly, sons Jackson and Connor, and his father, Jack.

SVG College Pioneer Award Honorees:

2025: Mike Bilbow, University of Georgia

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

2016: Jim Nachtman, Pennsylvania State University

2015: John Kvatek, University of Central Florida

2015: Jeff Schmahl, Texas A&M University, University of Nebraska

2014: Rick Church, Michigan State University

2013: Mark Rodin, Florida State University

2012: Ken Norris, University of California, Los Angeles

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/05/13/the-late-mike-bilbow-former-uni...
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